Hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting

Overview

They often happen without thinking or during stress or boredom.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Pulling hair, picking skin, or biting nails
• Can't stop pulling hair, picking skin, or biting nails

Less common

• Bald patches
• Skin sores

When to get medical care

Causes

Stress, genes.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Anxiety
• OCD

Possible complications

• Anxiety

Diagnosis

A clinician talks with you.

The exam

Skin and scalp check.

Treatment

Habit reversal helps.

Self-care

• Notice when it happens
• Keep hands busy with a fidget
• Use bandages or gloves
• Keep nails short

Therapy (habit reversal training) is the main treatment.

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• Keep hands busy

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a dermatologist (skin doctor).

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Teens: Often starts at this age.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some skin medicines, like isotretinoin and retinoid creams, aren't safe in pregnancy.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Treatable.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

• Could therapy help?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting