So here goes. Growing up I watched my father pick at his scabs, while sitting on the couch, driving etc..all of it. I picked up the habit. I have PCOS and acne because of it..all over my body. I know that the acne will clear on its own witt my weight loss (mostly) if I can stop picking! I pick all the time. I'm trying to break this habit but in the mean time I know if I can reduce the amount of acne I have it will help with the picking. I have successfully stopped picking/scratching at the acne/ingrown hairs on my legs but need to work on other areas of my Body. My question here is how do you combat your acne? Nothing seems to work on me, just seems to make it worse. Also if you pick (I feel like i'm the big pink elephant in the room with this one) how do you handle this and stop yourself?

I dont really know the answer to the acne question as i never really had major issues with acne..but i understand the scab/skin picking issue..I was actually suprised to learn that it is more than just a "bad habit" ..There is actually a techincal medical name for that illness..There is apparently underlying issues as to why people do it...i myself can see that..as i find i pick at myself when im stressed or anxious or worried..

Same here :\ Or bored...bored is a big one! I wanna get over it but don't now how...

Are you sure the only cause of your acne is picking and that none of its hormonal? I suffered acne myself and though picking makes it worse it doesn't create it in the first place.

I was going to say the same thing. Get hormones checked out -- esp with the PCOS it is possible hormone wacky is causing it.

A.

I now my acne is hormonal cause of the pcos. I'm just wondering if there is anything anyone knows of in the meantime on my way to fixing the hormones (which I know will even out more as i lose weight) to help the acne lessen.

i have this same problem but instead of acne, it's with bug bites...i get ALOT of bugbites living in a rainforest in alaska (temperate rainforest, not tropical)....the noseeum bites itch like crazy and scar up no matter how little i mess with them...but anyhow, i find that if i cover up so i can't see the bites, they tend to "itch" less and i mess with them less...i also put a bandaid on the biggest bites and that helps them heal and helps me not mess with them as much

I saw a dermatologist who recommended some prescription ointments (or lotions, whatever) and an OTC acne wash. They worked well enough that now I only need to use the OTC stuff to keep it under control. I've also found that drinking a lot of water and taking a fish oil supplement help. Eating well (lots of fruits and veggies, lean meats, minimally processed dairy products, few carbs, few highly processed foods) seems to help too. I used to pick too, but I'm not sure what to say about that except just quit it!

:\ well a girl can hope LOL Guess I have to just live with it till my hormones come under better control. Thanks all

BCP helped, but I didn't have terribly awful acne. Just when I was pregnant. Talk about hormones!

Topical stuff -- I'm fine with just parsley stick. Or neat lavender.

I know some do the aspirin mask thing... but I've never tried it.

But check with the doc -- you might need something other than OTC if it's bad hormonal shifts.

HTH!
A.

I was also a picker...........but to stop, I had acrylic nails put on, and because they are thick, you can't pick--my face clears up very quickly. If you already have long enough nails, you could always get acrylic overlay or shellac or something that makes the nails thicker........just a thought--definitely works for me

Fellow pink elephant here!!!!

My therapist told me to hold ice cubes until the urge passes...Didnt work. I dont think people understand its more like a reflex. I am working on it but its hard when you dont realize you are doing it.

Half the time I dont realize it until my husband says... hey babe why are you doing that?

Let me know if you find anything that works! I have pcos too!

I defo will abby. I m trying I have to constantly remind myself to STOP when I catch myself doing it...soooooo hard but im trying :\ thanks all!

Have you tried Proactiv? I buy the knock-off brand Acne Free for my daughter and it has helped tremendously with her breakouts. A friend of mine took her daughter to the derm and he recommended plain Dial soap for her daughter. It dried my daughter's skin out too much so we switched to Acne Free. Some use coconut oil. It has antibacterial properties. You need to buy the compressed kind that is thick like a paste. I hope this helps