Post by wickedthoughts on Jul 5, 2005 13:45:38 GMT -5
(WARNING: Very descriptive - blood, pus, and stuff)
After being a lurker on this site for some time, I have seen many stories that parallel my own. In that vein, I have opted to post here and give some background on my own picking tendancies.
I have always had a problem with anxiety, though not severe (but I worry more than I should about things I have absolutely no control over). In addition, I also have a "Type A" perfectionist personality. Needless to say, this has been a catalyst for picking.
First and foremost, I pick at my hangnails/cuticles (especially hangnails). Should there be any loose or hardened skin around my fingernails, I will attempt to remove it. This is usually accomplished via a set of slanted tweezers.
Undauntingly, I will pick under the hardened skin, and pull off the offender. If I am lucky, just a small piece will come off, exposing only a slightly tender area with no bleeding. Nevertheless, this is often not the case.
The usual routine involves a huge piece of skin being torn off, usually accompanied by bleeding. Of course, sometimes this will stop by itself, or a band-aid will be required. Sometimes this will result in multiple fingertips requiring band-aids.
Usually the damage heals up in a few days (no more than a week). I have a high threshold of pain, so I do not find that as discouragement. Still, when I do it excessively, I can't help but think "I really shouldn't be doing this".
My other "fetish" (besides a woman in stockings...oops wrong topic
) is picking at my face. At least once or twice a week I will have to inspect my face for any notible blemish or blackhead and eliminate it. Though I only use my fingers, the results can often be rather undesirable (i.e. red blotches where the pimple used to be).
I had noted some members mentioning being preoccupied with "white things" on their faces. I believe I know what you are talking about, as it is one of the things I pick it. I believe it is a build-up of sebum in the pore (precursor to a blackhead). Much like a blackhead, it will often release a "worm", but the consistency is not as firm and it is white (not yellow or black). I often get these after shaving and I will usually go after them.
I recently went to my physician regarding my anxiety and was prescribed Paxil. I believe it is helping, but it is difficult to tell. I have been on the medication over a month now and think I have noticed some improvement.
What finally drove me to post was an incident that transpired the other day. I had recently evicerated a hangnail from one of my fingers, and a couple of days later noticed the area around it was red and swollen (and hurt like heck). Sadly enough, I knew what this was, as I had experienced it before. It was an abscess/infection, and it looked horrible.
Though this does not happen frequently, it does happen every now and then (once every couple of years maybe). My solution was to grit my teeth and squeeze the area tightly until the infection poured out yellow pus at the side of the injury. Talk about pain, that really smarts! After a couple of rounds of squeezing, I was able to empty the infection and then applied some antibiotic ointment.
Fortunately, the pain, swelling, and redness has diminished. Clearly it is on the way to healing. I was wondering if any of you have had a similar experience with having to drain a self-inflicted infection?
Anyway, that is my story, I hope some of you find comfort in it that you are not alone. I will you all well and will be visiting the forums and time permits.
After being a lurker on this site for some time, I have seen many stories that parallel my own. In that vein, I have opted to post here and give some background on my own picking tendancies.
I have always had a problem with anxiety, though not severe (but I worry more than I should about things I have absolutely no control over). In addition, I also have a "Type A" perfectionist personality. Needless to say, this has been a catalyst for picking.
First and foremost, I pick at my hangnails/cuticles (especially hangnails). Should there be any loose or hardened skin around my fingernails, I will attempt to remove it. This is usually accomplished via a set of slanted tweezers.
Undauntingly, I will pick under the hardened skin, and pull off the offender. If I am lucky, just a small piece will come off, exposing only a slightly tender area with no bleeding. Nevertheless, this is often not the case.
The usual routine involves a huge piece of skin being torn off, usually accompanied by bleeding. Of course, sometimes this will stop by itself, or a band-aid will be required. Sometimes this will result in multiple fingertips requiring band-aids.
Usually the damage heals up in a few days (no more than a week). I have a high threshold of pain, so I do not find that as discouragement. Still, when I do it excessively, I can't help but think "I really shouldn't be doing this".
My other "fetish" (besides a woman in stockings...oops wrong topic
) is picking at my face. At least once or twice a week I will have to inspect my face for any notible blemish or blackhead and eliminate it. Though I only use my fingers, the results can often be rather undesirable (i.e. red blotches where the pimple used to be). I had noted some members mentioning being preoccupied with "white things" on their faces. I believe I know what you are talking about, as it is one of the things I pick it. I believe it is a build-up of sebum in the pore (precursor to a blackhead). Much like a blackhead, it will often release a "worm", but the consistency is not as firm and it is white (not yellow or black). I often get these after shaving and I will usually go after them.
I recently went to my physician regarding my anxiety and was prescribed Paxil. I believe it is helping, but it is difficult to tell. I have been on the medication over a month now and think I have noticed some improvement.
What finally drove me to post was an incident that transpired the other day. I had recently evicerated a hangnail from one of my fingers, and a couple of days later noticed the area around it was red and swollen (and hurt like heck). Sadly enough, I knew what this was, as I had experienced it before. It was an abscess/infection, and it looked horrible.
Though this does not happen frequently, it does happen every now and then (once every couple of years maybe). My solution was to grit my teeth and squeeze the area tightly until the infection poured out yellow pus at the side of the injury. Talk about pain, that really smarts! After a couple of rounds of squeezing, I was able to empty the infection and then applied some antibiotic ointment.
Fortunately, the pain, swelling, and redness has diminished. Clearly it is on the way to healing. I was wondering if any of you have had a similar experience with having to drain a self-inflicted infection?
Anyway, that is my story, I hope some of you find comfort in it that you are not alone. I will you all well and will be visiting the forums and time permits.