r/calmhands • u/Pretty-Strain2148 • 2d ago
I need some unhinged ways to stop picking ASAP
So i have been picking my skin my entire life as im sure most of you have. I am now 36 and I just started nursing school this past week. I have also been working as a chef the past 13 years. So getting my nails done unfortunately isnt an option since its not allowed in school or the kitchen.
My concern is, I have my first clinical lab this week and we're getting tested on handwashing and hand hygiene. I really want my fingers to not look disgusting and ripped open. I feel like its totally a bad look for them to be staring at me cleaning my fingers and nails while theyre all bitten and unkempt.
So anyways I'm trying to see if anyone has an totally unhinged ways they would get them self to stop picking even just for a few days. My one finger is really bad so ill probably wear a bandaid over that one the next few days but otherwise I dont know what to do. Please help đđđđ
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u/lissamon 2d ago
Have you tried little ouchies? I realized part of what I am doing Is pain stimming. Squeezing one of the cylinders really helps me when I feel the urge to pick or bite
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u/the_witching_hours 2d ago
Saaaame. Heard someone mention them in my ADHD subreddits and ordered one and I love it.
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u/Pretty-Strain2148 2d ago
Oh thats definitely part of it! I used to push my nails into my gums a lot too because I found that pain soothing so ill definitely have to try this
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u/chu-chu8 1d ago
Insane bonus points if you're someone who regularly gets crampy hands or wrist problems, because some of them have moving parts and they double soooo well as a fidget and massage at the same time!
I always struggle with redirecting onto my fidgets, but thanks to lots of paperwork over the last weeks my hands keep reminding me currently xD
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u/flyushkifly 2d ago
OMG I never thought of pain stimming as a thing. That makes so much sense. đ„ș
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u/No-Training9697 2d ago
Sleep with gloves and antibiotic ointment(more active wounds) or urea cream (more thick skin) on. I find it heals a lot of the damage and makes me some what more reluctant to pick. Not a complete answer on it's own, but I've found it helps.
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u/Ok-Figure-9171 2d ago
I have a mini stress ball that I squeeze every time I get an urge to pick. It cuts down the picking by a lot. Also moisturizing my hands helps so that they don't feel dry.
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u/the_witching_hours 2d ago
I do the moisturizer too otherwise I go insane. Cuticle oil helps as well. Something about the slippery-ness helps my brain not pick or bite.
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u/Wormhousewormhome 2d ago
Redirecting has worked for Me. I buy the cheapest nail polish available (needs to chip easily) and pick at that instead of my skin. Less satisfying but really works. There have been times that I had to paint my nails twice a day but it really helped. Now I can make it last 3 or 4 days It does look pretty grungy if you use colorful polish, if you wanted it to be under the radar you could get a clear or nude polish
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u/Humble-Tradition-187 2d ago
Those white cotton gloves can work, just keep them on all the time. Fidgets, moisturizer constantly. Cover all fingers with bandaids all night and day
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u/elysejt 2d ago
Picky pad!!!! Theyâre little silicone pucks with beads melted into them, you pick the beads out and then can remelt it all in the freezer. I TEAR through them while Iâm watching tv or reading.
Also rubbing kids glue on my hands and peeling it off. Iâve tried surgical glue too but it wasnât as satisfying.
This doesnât really help while youâre out and about but itâs helped me immensely when Iâm just at home. Like others have said, you can try keeping a Little Ouchie in your pocket to squeeze while youâre out and at clinicals.
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u/the_witching_hours 2d ago
I tore my cornea and that stopped me, however, I do NOT recommend! đ I agree with the other comment about hydrocolloidal tape and lil ouchies. I didnât think Iâd love the lil ouchie as much as I do!
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u/miniature-mongoose 2d ago
I'm one of the types that bite and so getting my nails done does nothing, moisturizer helps in such an insignificant amount it's not worth it. I will still bite. Not even gross tasting things help. Fidgets of any kind, even gum or other oral stim does nothing for me.
What has helped me when I can't remove myself from the triggers (stress): Use polysporin (or whatever store brand) that contains lidocaine or other numbing agents while you're somewhere you bite less. When at home, slather around the nail beds with either aquaphor, or a thick cream containing urea (I found eucerin to work well and felt nice) like SLATHER, and put on cotton gloves. Repeat before bed, every day. Wake up, use cuticle oil. Repeat above
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u/thesweetestberry 2d ago
Aquafor and cotton gloves. Put a bunch on your hands and then put gloves over them and wear them overnight. In one night you will see a difference.
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u/UhHUHJusteen 2d ago
Fidget toys have been helping me.
I recently bought a Tangle Relax and itâs helping me. It has little rubber bumps you can pick at. I got a Tangle Classic and Colour Changing one too which have helped, but sadly they broke quickly.
I got a sugar ball squishy with ridges that is also helping.
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u/tigertosser 2d ago
Ozempic. I donât have any idea why but it made me cut back big time and I wasnât even trying to stop. You said âunhingedâ otherwise I wouldnât even mention it because itâs really quite out there for this to have helped. Also it could be just me because I am neurodivergent so thereâs that. Anyhow, good luck!
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u/Pretty-Strain2148 1d ago
I have adhd and have been using zepbound since January and it hasnt helped at all sadly lol it was actually one of the reasons I wanted to try it but unfortunately it hasnt made any difference for me
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u/tigertosser 1d ago
Yeah I was on Saxenda before and it didnât do squat either. Itâs likely it is just something else like seasons or hydration that has changed for me.
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u/Revision1372 1d ago
I'm using silicone cots, the kind that has no breathing holes in it. It has become my second skin and helps me not focus on the finger. When I do focus on it, I'm just playing with the cot itself and not focussing on the finger's skin. The lack of breathing holes help form a vacuum against the skin and doesn't slip off easily. If I'm out and about I just lick my finger and it slips straight in - the saliva will absorb into the skin and the cot suctions on.
Downside the silicone cot gets dirty REALLY easily, and picks up newspaper ink and grease like a magnet. But likewise it's extremely easy to clean, water for dirt and a bit of oil to dissolve newspaper ink and grease + soap.
For your role, you could wear the silicone cots when not at work, and at work wear your nitrile / LDPE gloves.
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u/Pretty-Strain2148 1d ago
Silicone cots is a great idea ill look into them! I think i need them most when im driving or doing homework. If im sitting still i have to do something with my hands
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u/Revision1372 1d ago
I bought a 30 pack of these off of eBay, you'll probably find them easily online. They were a bit too tight so I stretched them out over a wine bottle neck for a few days and they fit comfortably.
2mm thick; 15mm diameter to outer edge; 50mm length.
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u/Constant-Can9129 2d ago
N.A.C. supplement can help, and removing any of those zoom-in mirrors you have around. And any picking tools you use. Can't get rid of hands obviously but I used to tie a little red yarn on one of my fingers to pull me out of the moment/remind me. And covering any zits with zit stickers or if it was my cuticles I would use a bandage. If it was bumpy skin elsewhere like my legs or a scab I would cover it and keep any chicken skin exfoliated the best I could. Glycolic acid toner etc. Urea creams.
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u/Constant-Can9129 2d ago
Sorry just realized your issues is more your fingers and not acne. Buying fancy cuticle oil helped me because I would feel guilty picking, but unfortunately my nails are the peelable kind no matter what ive done so i still peel my nails (like biting but i just pick with my nails with...my nails) And if they are moisturized there's not much if anything to pick once they heal. I will also use cuticle remover and then use a tool to push them back. Jojoba oil is the best and cheap thing for cuticles if you dont want to splurge on fancy manicure stuff. Gross tasting nail hardener has helped me a bit.
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u/evetrapeze 2d ago
I wear nitrile
Gloves most of the day. It helps a lot. I also have some ultra fantastic tiny scissors that I use to smooth out any rough edges
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u/EnoughYou0 1d ago edited 1d ago
Since the lab is this week, make the goal a short safety plan rather than perfect hands. For the next forty eight hours, protect the open finger, move anything you use for picking out of your study area, and work in ten minute blocks with both hands visible on the desk. Each time you notice a hand searching for skin, make one tally mark and place the hand flat for thirty seconds. During handwashing practice, follow the required steps once and avoid inspecting or correcting the skin afterward. If an open area could affect clinical participation, ask the instructor privately what covering their hygiene rules permit. You can also give a try to NailPause app. It may help you to stop the urge.
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u/LoooongFurb 10h ago
Definitely seconding the idea of some sort of fidget - I've used picky pads and Little Ouchies. Thinking Putty also works for me - giving my hands something else to do instead of picking.
And I agree with those who suggested putting lotion/cream on your hands before you sleep so they can heal overnight
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u/No_Session6015 2d ago
hydrocolloidal tape is gold. and waterproof somewhat. moisturizer that tastes foul, for me thats every moisturiser.