I Have Dermatophagia
I've had this condition ever since I could remember, at least 30 years. However, until about a month ago I had no idea that
1) It has a real name,
2) So many other people are affected, and
3) That I would be so moved by what I have learned.
I now know that I'm not crazy because I couldn't stop myself from biting and picking. For years I have constantly worried what people will think of me if they see my cuticles and fingers. I figure out ways to hide my fingers by the way I position my hands. Sometimes I cover them with bandaids. Once I had hypnotherapy, to no avail. I tried putting rubber bands on my wrists to snap if I caught myself biting or picking. I would fidget with my keychain or a paperclip or whatever to keep my hands busy (but often used whatever it was to pick at my skin some more). I tried to keep lotion on my hands, but it just made them feel slimy and gross; a tactile thing I suppose.
Strangely enough, it was the decision to look up this weird behavior that has set me on the path to quitting. About a month ago, I discovered that my bizarre actions had not only a real name, but other sufferers, I started to read about it. And read. And read.
I decided to try one more time to quit. I armed myself with new rubber bands, and bought the really good kind of hand lotion. I kept fidgits with me for when I needed to occupy my fingers (which was always). I got out my knitting again. Most importantly, I talked to my family about it. I opened up to my kids and my husband and told them about the information I had found. Then I asked for their help, to remind me to stop whenever they noticed me doing it.
That was nearly a month ago. I have not bitten or picked since. I am actually afraid to be optimistic about my success, because I do not know how long it will last. This is the longest I have ever gone without biting or picking, and the first hours, then days, were SO HARD. Like quitting a drug that you can't get away from. How would you quit smoking after 30 years with a pack strapped to each hand? I had huge raised welts on my wrists from snapping the rubber bands non-stop (sometimes just for the sensory input). My husband thought I was crazy. But I did it.
Some of you have gone through unimaginable things. It has helped to read all of your stories. I just wanted you all to know how much it meant to me, and how much it has helped. You all are the reason I am getting better. Thank you all for sharing, and I hope and pray that each one of you makes it.
1) It has a real name,
2) So many other people are affected, and
3) That I would be so moved by what I have learned.
I now know that I'm not crazy because I couldn't stop myself from biting and picking. For years I have constantly worried what people will think of me if they see my cuticles and fingers. I figure out ways to hide my fingers by the way I position my hands. Sometimes I cover them with bandaids. Once I had hypnotherapy, to no avail. I tried putting rubber bands on my wrists to snap if I caught myself biting or picking. I would fidget with my keychain or a paperclip or whatever to keep my hands busy (but often used whatever it was to pick at my skin some more). I tried to keep lotion on my hands, but it just made them feel slimy and gross; a tactile thing I suppose.
Strangely enough, it was the decision to look up this weird behavior that has set me on the path to quitting. About a month ago, I discovered that my bizarre actions had not only a real name, but other sufferers, I started to read about it. And read. And read.
I decided to try one more time to quit. I armed myself with new rubber bands, and bought the really good kind of hand lotion. I kept fidgits with me for when I needed to occupy my fingers (which was always). I got out my knitting again. Most importantly, I talked to my family about it. I opened up to my kids and my husband and told them about the information I had found. Then I asked for their help, to remind me to stop whenever they noticed me doing it.
That was nearly a month ago. I have not bitten or picked since. I am actually afraid to be optimistic about my success, because I do not know how long it will last. This is the longest I have ever gone without biting or picking, and the first hours, then days, were SO HARD. Like quitting a drug that you can't get away from. How would you quit smoking after 30 years with a pack strapped to each hand? I had huge raised welts on my wrists from snapping the rubber bands non-stop (sometimes just for the sensory input). My husband thought I was crazy. But I did it.
Some of you have gone through unimaginable things. It has helped to read all of your stories. I just wanted you all to know how much it meant to me, and how much it has helped. You all are the reason I am getting better. Thank you all for sharing, and I hope and pray that each one of you makes it.
By:
timetostop
Age:
36-40
