Question 1

when does picking ur fingers & cuticles become a disorder vs a nervous habit? right now 5 of my fingers r destroyed but i have been stressed w hw.

Accepted Answer

See a Psychiatrist: You may have a form of Obssessive Compulsive Disorder;
 Get a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health
 professional; Treatment  for this condition can help you;

Question 2

why am i biting my lips, cheeks, and cuticles all of the time? how do i stop this habit?

Accepted Answer

Biting lips: In general, I would normally tell a patient to pay attention when you are doing this and then immediately stop when you notice you are doing this

Question 3

i pick at my cuticles, pick at pimples, pick at anything i can.  i have always been this way and cannot stop.  why is this and what can i do about it?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral therapy: Your symptoms may be related to obsessive compulsive disorder. There are both medication and behavior modification treatments. It would be prudent to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment.

Question 4

the skin around my cuticles dries out and cracks, sometimes it bleeds but a lot of time its just itchy so i pick at it, it even happens in the summer?

Accepted Answer

Dehydrated skin: We are advised to wash our hands and along with household chores, our hands are in water frequently. This tends to dry out the areas around your nail. Use gloves when washing dishes or handling cleaning products and frequently moisturize the nail and cuticle with over the counter creams that contain either hyaluronic or glycolic acids.

Question 5

i bite and pick my cuticle and thumb nail. i have peeled off a portion of my nail doing this...what type of dr. should i see for treatment?

Accepted Answer

A dermatologist: The nail and cuticle are part of the skin system, so I would make an appointment with a dermatologist. I am pleased you are going to ask for help with this and that you are ready to take some action which will mostly be changing your behavior. Very good wishes:)

Question 6

i have dermatillomania and pick my cuticles on one hand. have for years. could this cause petechiae (formed over years) running up this same arm?

Accepted Answer

Yes!: Could be sign of infection, traveling up your arm. Is it warmer than other arm? Thicker?
Fact that it's been happening gradually means its slow, not acute. Plus you take nsaid, which increases likelihood of bleeding issues (and advil=ibuprofen, so i hope you dont take both).

Things i'd talk to your doc about next: 
top 2 clotting probs, thyroid, possibility of needing ssri for picking.
Be well.

Question 7

ocd/bdd/skin picking? i tend to pick and peel the skin off my fingers, by the cuticle and nails, till i bleed and they become raw, sometimes i scratch my skin till it breaks, usually when i'm nervous, upset, stressed, etc. i've battled with my weight sinc

Accepted Answer

It : It sounds like an eating disorder + ocd, consider referral to eating do specialist/program and treatment with ssri- like Luvox (fluvoxamine) if pt is a young adult in not other meds.

Question 8

can someone remove their cuticles?

Accepted Answer

Cuticles: will grow back. Clipping or cutting cuticles may increase chances of getting an infection.

Question 9

how can i treat severely damaged cuticles?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain: Don't know the cause of your cuticle problem. The best course of action may be dermatological evaluation.

Question 10

what is the purpose of pushing the cuticles?

Accepted Answer

Aesthetics: It is done for the look created.

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Doctor answers about:

Terrible habit of picking cuticles

A member asked:

When does picking ur fingers & cuticles become a disorder vs a nervous habit? right now 5 of my fingers r destroyed but i have been stressed w hw.

A member asked:

Why am i biting my lips, cheeks, and cuticles all of the time? how do i stop this habit?

A member asked:

I pick at my cuticles, pick at pimples, pick at anything i can. i have always been this way and cannot stop. why is this and what can i do about it?

A member asked:

The skin around my cuticles dries out and cracks, sometimes it bleeds but a lot of time its just itchy so i pick at it, it even happens in the summer?

A member asked:

I bite and pick my cuticle and thumb nail. i have peeled off a portion of my nail doing this...what type of dr. should i see for treatment?

A member asked:

I have dermatillomania and pick my cuticles on one hand. have for years. could this cause petechiae (formed over years) running up this same arm?

A member asked:

Ocd/bdd/skin picking? i tend to pick and peel the skin off my fingers, by the cuticle and nails, till i bleed and they become raw, sometimes i scratch my skin till it breaks, usually when i'm nervous, upset, stressed, etc. i've battled with my weight sinc

A member asked:

Can someone remove their cuticles?

A member asked:

How can i treat severely damaged cuticles?

A member asked:

What is the purpose of pushing the cuticles?

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