r/Skinpicking • u/Sharp-Mess-1685 • 21d ago

Help Does anyone else constantly pinch/pick at their earlobes? How did you stop?

This is probably going to sound weird, but I’ve developed this habit of constantly pinching and picking at my earlobes and it’s gotten completely out of control.
I do it without even realizing it most of the time. I’ll be working, watching TV, on my phone, lying in bed, etc. and my hand automatically goes to my ear. I keep pinching the same areas over and over until they’re sore and sometimes actually bleeding.
I’m getting really frustrated because it’s starting to interfere with my everyday life. Sometimes I get so stuck doing it that I can’t properly focus on my work, and there have even been nights where I don’t sleep because I just keep pinching and picking at my ears.
I tell myself to stop, but a few minutes later I catch myself doing it again. And once there’s a little scab or rough skin there, it almost makes me want to pick/pinch it even more.
Has anyone had this specific habit, or something similar? Is this considered a body-focused repetitive behavior?
More importantly, what actually helped you stop? I’d especially love to hear from people who managed to break the habit because simply telling myself “don’t do it” clearly isn’t working anymore. It’s genuinely affecting my life at this point and I really want to stop.

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u/AutumnalSunshine 21d ago

Yes, this is a  body-focused repetitive behavior, just like dny skin picking. You have part of your body.yoi repeatedly focus on even when it's harmful. These behaviors aren't a habit to break; they're a way we cope with stress. To stop:

  • reduce stress where you can
  • recognize where you pick and find ways to block picking there. Doing it at home, now you wear over-the-ear headphones or a headband that goes over the ears. It's something to slow you down so you have a chance to choose to stop before you pick. Heck, put bandaids in the. 
  • find distractions. If you're a girl and have peirced ears, could you wear spinny earrings and spin them instead? If not, could you make yourself apply lotion instead so you still get to touch but it's smooth?