What We Treat

Skin Picking

Learn about excoriation disorder symptoms and treatment approaches at Westwood Institute.

About Skin Picking

Skin picking can involve repetitive picking that causes tissue damage, distress, or functional impairment.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms may include urges, repetitive picking, scanning, attempts to conceal marks, and difficulty stopping.

Treatment Approach

Treatment may include awareness work, habit reversal strategies, trigger management, and individualized support.

Your questions, answered

Frequently asked questions about Skin Picking Disorder

When is skin picking considered a disorder?

Repeated picking that causes skin damage, is difficult to stop, and creates distress or disruption may warrant assessment. A clinician can also consider skin conditions and other possible causes.

Can skin picking happen automatically?

Yes. Picking may happen with a strong urge or with limited awareness, such as while reading or watching television. Treatment explores these patterns and their triggers.

What treatments help with skin picking disorder?

CBT, including habit reversal training, can help people recognize triggers and practice alternatives to picking. Treatment may also involve addressing skin irritation or other contributing concerns.

When should skin damage receive medical attention?

Seek medical advice for wounds that are not healing or show possible infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain. Treating the skin and the picking behavior may both be necessary.