Teenage spot picking!

hazellc

Do you think he either feels compelled to do it or just does it constantly without even realising? If so, I think the poster who talked about dermatotillomania is spot on, pun not intended. I had trichotillomania at around the same age - I say had, but the only reason I stopped is that I cut my hair short, if it were long I'd probably still be doing it - and I literally did not realise I was doing it. Any second without something in my hands and they'd reflexively be in my hair.

It might be worth popping into the GP and seeing if they can recommend something to help him.

Eta. I never remember to write all the things I meant to write! I think people think that a compulsion is something they know they have to do, but it can just be more like a habit. You don't have to feel like you're actively doing it.

toffee'n'tom

Apart from being in the mirror - he does it without thinking. He just feels around his face and starts squeezing and sometimes there's not even anything there. And picks the skin around his nails too, although he doesn't do that so much any more.

He really doesn't have a spot problem. It's the habit of picking at anything and I can assure everyone he doesn't overwash!

I'm just going to have to take a steph back, stop being obsessive myself and hope he grows out of it.

TheConways

Make an appointment with a dermatologist? Perhaps he will take professional advice.

ALso point out what he is doing is making the spots worse.

I find that when I have a nasty spot, a hot flannel to draw it out, plus a dab of savlon does the trick. Naturally, acne is something quite different.

Sadly, I know a couple of male friends who have had bad acne as teens, and who now have pock-marked skin.

Sambucus_Nigra

Keep reminding him that girls don't find blotchy red picked skin all that sexy

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

I think it's a natural compulsion that many of us have to fiddle with something... handily for teenagers (and some adults) their spots walk round with them so the thing to occupy hands is always there.

toffee'n'tom

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Keep reminding him that girls don't find blotchy red picked skin all that sexy

Oh I have. I've pointed absolutely everything out but nothing stops him (except that one time when there was a girl on the scene!)

And, in reply to one poster who thought I was harsh sometimes not being able to be in the same room? I was just being totally honest. We have a small sitting room with three chairs and I will usually be sitting next to him. It's not pleasant. And if I'm being totally totally honest it doesn't end there. When he picks in front of the mirror (which is just above the sink!!!!!), the product of the picking ends up wiped on the wall!!!! Now, I'm sure you wouldn't think me harsh for being more than a little annoyed about that?

cheeswright

does he want to stop ?

this is going to sound really odd - but I once got nail extensions in the states - some kind of fiberglass gel - they were quite thick...and made it impossible to pick, or scratch with any "sucess" - might be eough to break the cycle (they dont need to be extensions ! obviously - could just be coated ) does anybody here no the type I mean ?

Fire_Fox

toffeentom wrote: »

Apart from being in the mirror - he does it without thinking. He just feels around his face and starts squeezing and sometimes there's not even anything there. And picks the skin around his nails too, although he doesn't do that so much any more.

He really doesn't have a spot problem. It's the habit of picking at anything and I can assure everyone he doesn't overwash!

I'm just going to have to take a steph back, stop being obsessive myself and hope he grows out of it.

If it's a possibility he has dermatillomania it would be better diagnosed and treated ASAP; that and it's sibling trichotillomania (hair pulling) can get very entrenched the longer they are left.

londonsurrey

toffeentom wrote: »

When he picks in front of the mirror (which is just above the sink!!!!!), the product of the picking ends up wiped on the wall!!!! Now, I'm sure you wouldn't think me harsh for being more than a little annoyed about that?

At this age, he's more than old enough to clean up after himself.
So although he's within his (admittedly ill advised) personal rights to pick his skin to pieces, he has a responsibility to clean up the wall or use a tissue like the rest of the civilised world.

hazellc

Fire_Fox wrote: »

If it's a possibility he has dermatillomania it would be better diagnosed and treated ASAP; that and it's sibling trichotillomania (hair pulling) can get very entrenched the longer they are left.

I agree. I really wish I'd done something about it when the habit had just started. It's really hard to understand unless you've had it, but you can't just stop. It might be worth even linking him to an info page and seeing if it sounds familiar and whether he'd like to try sorting it.

Agreed that it's gross though!