Dermatillomania, also known as Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP), is the impulsive and repetitive picking of one’s skin to the point of causing damage. Dermatillomania is considered to be one of the ways that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can manifest and is rarely seen in children. There are very few resources available out there to parents whose children suffer from this sometimes debilitating condition. Below are a few dos and don’ts of dermatillomania in children.
Ways to Help a Child Who Suffers From Dermatillomania
Keep the child’s fingernails trimmed – Keeping a child’s fingernails trimmed shortly can benefit a child who deals with compulsive skin picking. If a child’s nails are short he is less likely to do as much damage to the skin.
Keep the child’s fingernails clean – This is no easy feat; however it is imperative to keep the child’s fingernails as clean as possible. This will lessen the likelihood of infection in the spot, or spots, that the child is picking.
Have the child wear mittens or gloves – Take your child to the store and have him pick out a special pair of mittens or gloves. If your child is involved in selecting the gloves, and you play them up as being special, the child is more likely to wear them during the times that they usually pick. If you notice that your child is starting to pick, encourage him to put on his special pair of gloves.
Buy your child a stress ball – Stress balls aren’t just for adults. If your child has something to keep his hands busy then he is less likely to pick. Similar to the gloves suggestion, take your child with you to purchase the stress ball so he feels more involved and empowered.
Things You Shouldn’t Do When Dealing with Dermatillomania in Children
Draw undue attention to the activity – Since CSP has its roots in anxiety, drawing undue attention to the activity could likely make it worse. Even if a child is doing it unconsciously, nagging him about it will likely increase his anxiety about the activity. This increased anxiety could actually lead to an increase in picking.
Demean the child – This is an impulsive issue and is likely beyond the child’s control. Demeaning the child will provide absolutely no benefit to him and will likely increase his stress levels. Increased stress directly relates to increased anxiety which in turn may lead to an increase in picking.
There are many different schools of thought with regards to intervention and therapy options to treat a child with CSP. If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing this condition contact your child’s pediatrician for more information.
Important Note: The author of this article is not a medical professional. All concerns regarding your child should be brought up with his pediatrician. Use this article as a jumping point for the conversation.
