Lemonade, swimming pools, baseball, and evenings on the porch. Summertime is truly a loved season by many! Yet, for the 4% of the population suffering from Excoriation Disorder (skin picking disorder), summertime can be a nightmare. The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders (BFRB’s) describes Excoriation Disorder this way: “the repetitive picking of one’s own skin. Individuals who struggle with this disorder touch, rub, scratch, pick at, or dig into their skin in an attempt to improve perceived imperfections, often resulting in tissue damage, discoloration, or scarring” [1]. Although Excoriation Disorder is common, most sufferers are battling this behavior in silence, and summertime, for many, can be incredibly challenging. The idea of someone destroying their skin to attempt to attain “perfection” is a war that skin picking sufferers encounter often, but especially during the summer months.
Summertime adds to the difficulty of this behavior for two reasons: bugs and heat. Although these are not the only reasons why excoriation disorder can be a test during this season, they can be a troublesome pair for BFRB sufferers. Mosquito bites are inevitable. Although one may slather on bug repellent, at bites will still occur. To someone who picks their skin, one bite may be the one spark that sets off a year-long domino effect. The sufferer does not wish to continue this pattern of picking and reinjuring themselves; they simply cannot stop. They do not know how to stop, and the urges may continue as long as the scab created by the initial picking is there.
Now, let’s talk about the summertime heat and typical attire for this weather. Tank tops, shorts, and sandals can cause an immense amount of shame for a person who picks their skin. Sure, the sufferer can wear pants and long sleeves; however, not many would consider this a comfortable or a realistic option. Not only must the sufferer bare their scabs to the world, but also their scars from previous picking battles. Wearing smaller or even less clothing can also cause the person to be more vulnerable to further injuries such as: sunburn (picking may progress when the skin begins to heal), burns from cooking/grilling accidents, and cuts/scrapes on areas typically covered by clothing during the cooler months.
While the summer season may present unique challenges for those struggling with picking disorder, using some of the following strategies can help:
- Use vitamin E on skin; vitamin E promotes healing and reduces scarring
- Use waterproof band aids – covering up the wounds and making them less accessible can reduce the urge to pick at them. Use Neosporin in addition to aid in the healing process.
- Keep fingernails short; short fingernails are not able to pick skin as easily
- If the urges are strong, use a soft brush to massage the skin. This can calm the urge and provide soothing sensory stimulations.
- Drink plenty of H2O; water keeps the skin moisturized and less bumpy (bumpy skin can increase the urge to pick for some)
- Sensory distractions – have multiple fiddle/sensory toys at your disposal for the times you find your hands having minds of their own
- Positive affirmations – be kind to yourself. You are only human. Humans are not perfect; therefore, we all make mistakes. If you find yourself picking your skin, recognize that this is ok and you will continue to work on building and improving upon yourself.
For further information on Excoriation Disorder and other Body Focus Repetitive Behaviors, please check out The TLC Foundation for BFRBs website: bfrb.org.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Excoriation Disorder or any related Body Focused Repetitive Behavior, please contact Krista Reed, LSCSW at Real Life Counseling at: 316-425-7774. Mrs. Reed is a professional member and Graduate of The TLC Foundation of BFRBs Virtual Professional Training Institute, and a former sufferer of Excoriation Disorder.
[1] Reference: The TLC Foundation for BFRB’s: bfrb.org.