don't use tools you'll get hooked!

[Cilla]

pookadot said:

The tool i first starting using was tweezers to tear the loose bits of skin of around the wound because i couldn't do it with my hands and i have been using them for 3 years or so now so it's hard to come of them. I then starting using pins to dig the puss out that was hard to reach so i didn't keep using my nails and damaging the skin around it and make it bigger also this was suggested in a magazine which gave me the idea as well to use a sterolised needle now come to think of it the magazine shouldn't have wrote things like that. I also use scissors now to make the wound into a shape or something so i think it will heal up propaly it's realy weird i can't believe i have these kind of thoughts. I find it sometimes better using tools because i don't damage the skin as much as i do with pushing my nails in hard and trying to get every bit of puss out and i try and do it very gently and i can't belive i haven't had none infected yet or any scarred.But i would advise people not using them to not try and use them because it can make it worser. I picked to do as usal and i left my tools out and my mum has now took them away and i feel ok now because i don't need to pick but im just worried when i do i might need them.

I have the same exact impusles. It's like I want to do a mini operation to "clean" a wound but it just makes it worse.

[Froglet]

Welcome to the world of skin pickers online, Gottagopick! ;D
I too was at the end of my tether and typed skin picking in google. I felt a huge sense of relef to find that I was the only one! It really made such a difference to my stopping. I had been doing it for so long, it was a way of life. I think Id been in denial, do it was so good to be able to come clean with myself, and start to confront my long hidden problem!
You are not alone, I have tried filing ragged scabs to make them smooth too! Ah, the things we do!
I hope you find the forum to be helpful. I have found everyone here to be very kind and supportive. What a great bunch us pickers are!
Lara x

[L]

Wow, just found this forum and I must say, I recognize everything mentioned in all of these stories, the endless picking-sessions in front of the mirror, the tools using to help the "problem" and only making it worse....It made a lot clear to me and I'm gonna quite this very frustrating habit for good today, because otherwise I will go crazy I think. The "down"-feeling all the time (I think for about 9 years already) because of the way (you think) you look and the lack of self esteem following out of this, the things you don't go to because you are ashamed of yourself, I'm totally sick of it. I also thought I was the only one doing this but now I know I'm not. After reading all these stories I do know what I'm doing to my self and it is ENOUGH right now. These stories helped me a lot and I want to thank you all for making it clear to me. I'm stopping right now with this crazy behavior.