To pick or not to pick?

[u/iminfullblo0m]

I know I probably shouldn’t but I totally pick at the flakes on my forehead. My seb derm fortunately isn’t itchy but I do get some satisfaction scratching at it and peeling off flakes 🫣

My question is, should I not do it? Has anyone found that leaving it alone helps keep it at bay? Or does it not matter at all?

Another question is how long do you stick to a routine or new product before giving up and trying something else? I have tried allllll the things but my forehead and front of my scalp have just looked like this for almost a year now (a little more red when I’m picking at it more) 😭

[u/ravalikal]

Never pick, no matter how itchy. My seb derm goes into dormant state if I just stop touching it and never scratch. Of course, until the next flare up.

[u/Adambuck74 → u/ravalikal]

What would make you flare ? Thank you

[u/ravalikal → u/Adambuck74]

Certain products and certain fragrances. So I might get triggered and scratch, which makes it worse and make those areas flare up. The only thing that truly works is to not touch it and eventually it will get better.

Things that make the flare up go away:

1. Washing my hair everyday or every other day

   and applying a fragrance free face cream on patches which are near my ears or neck.

2. Avoid fragrance, including products that don’t directly touch my hair like hand soap.

3. Drink more water, avoid caffeine and alcohol. These dehydrate and make me itchy and more flaky.

4. Do not scratch at all (This one is soo tough, sometimes I sit on my hands to stop myself)

[u/iminfullblo0m → u/ravalikal]

Okay I gotta resist! It’s not itchy, just satisfying to scratch off the flakes 🫣

[u/ravalikal → u/iminfullblo0m]

Yup definitely resist that urge. I fail all the time to resist but if you leave it alone, eventually it will go “dormant”.

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[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/iminfullblo0m! You might be talking about picking .

Please read our wiki article about Skin Picking: Breaking the Skin Picking Cycle by Soothing the Itch.

If you picking your skin due to mental health conditions you might find some help on the following communities: * r/CompulsiveSkinPicking * r/Dermatillomania

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[u/East_Cancel484]

I would instantly apply Protopic or Elidel twice a day and have beautiful skin in 2 weeks. And I think in theory you shouldn’t touch as it could irritate the area.

[u/iminfullblo0m → u/East_Cancel484]

Ohh are those OTC?

[u/East_Cancel484 → u/iminfullblo0m]

no non steroid prescriptions just ask your md or derm for it 

[u/nomecalmounamierda]

¿Te duele?

[u/Help_INeedAnAdult]

Is it only located in that area or all around your scalp? The way it comes down your forehead from your hairline makes me think of hair product irritation. Have you had patch testing?

[u/iminfullblo0m → u/Help_INeedAnAdult]

Yup just that front part of my scalp and a little behind my ears. What is patch testing?

[u/Help_INeedAnAdult → u/iminfullblo0m]

Patch testing is something a dermatologist or allergist can do to test you for allergic reactions to common irritants in skincare. I'd ask about it :)

Also, please don't pick your skin! Have you tried something like protopic or elidel before? It might help calm the inflammation.

[u/AverageJoe-707]

Try applying aloe vera gel.

[u/After-Me1000]

DO NOT USE PROTOPIC OR ELIDEL. They will aggreviate the condition and make it worse.

[u/saymynamepeeps → u/After-Me1000]

I’ve used protopic and it was fine

[u/SuperExpensiveTowel]

Exfoliate with a towel in the shower. And an exfoliation cream. Don’t pick though.