If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Thinking about suicide? Call or text 988.
Overview
Picking can cause infections.
It's linked to anxiety.
When to get medical care
Call 911Thoughts of harming yourself or others: call or text 988, or call 911 if you're in danger.
Get care todayInfected sores with fever.
See a doctor soonOngoing picking.
Causes
Causes include anxiety and OCD-related conditions.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause sores, scabs, or scars from picking at the skin. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Skin-picking disorder (excoriation disorder or neurotic excoriations)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Repeatedly picking, scratching, or digging at the skin, often at pimples, scabs, or bumps, causing sores, scabs, and scars.
What you can do at home
- Cover sores.
- Keep nails short.
Medicines
Habit reversal therapy.
At the doctor
Diagnosed by history.
Questions you may be asked
- Picking
The exam
A skin exam.
Tests
- None
Prevention
Early help.
- Seek support
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.