11 Year Old Picks Scabs

This is normal, however she could cause herself an infection. Keep her nails as short as is comfortable, and get her into the habit of washing her hands as often as she can with soap and water, especially after playing on the playground and using the bathroom. Keeping a band-aid on should help...get her to choose some pretty ones that she likes so that she doesn't pull them off. Remember that healing scabs itch, so keep some antibiotic ointment on them to keep them a little moist.

My 10 year old is doing this. I fear that picking can create scars or skin discoloration as well as infections. In the past I would always tell her to stop and move her hand, but it never worked. Just 2 weekends ago I finally decided to address this concern a little differently. I saw that she had a wound that should have healed a week ago that she just continuously picked. I told her all about infections and scars and she just didn't care. She said she just didn't want the ugly sores there (she skidded on her knuckles and her forearm on the tennis courts while riding on her Heelys-ouch!!!). I had a key chain that came with a new purse I just bought and I know she loves little charms. I told her she could have it if she allowed the scar to heal with no picking. She showed me every day the progress of her wound healing. When it healed I reminded her how fast it healed because she quit picking. I hope this registered. I was looking for a way to show her results and motivate her the same time. This was a one time thing (I do not want her to see this as a payoff) but instead I am going to remind her (even now before the next wound) how long ugly sores stay if picked at vs. leaving it alone to heal and how nice her arm looks now. I hope it works.

I did this most of my childhood life, it was a way for me to deal with anxiety and nerves. I still find myself scratching mosquito bites. I would have her Dr. or teacher talk to her about it, they tend to listen to other adults better, than their parents. Good luck!

I did it too! When I was a kid I mean. I still can't keep my nails off a bump or zit, especially on my face. My advise is to show her your ugliest scar or find someone who has one and tell her that, that is what happens when you pick your scabs, they turn into scars. And they do, because you are not giving it the time that it needs to heal properly, tell her that scars are forever! good luck!

Yes, we probably have all picked our scabs at that age but when we were that age there wasn't an infection called MRSA. I have worked in the medical field for over 17 years and it has been on the scene about that long, it is nothing to sneer at. especially now that it is more common with kids than ever before.
show her pictures on non-healing wounds related to MRSA, you can Google it under "Google images" and have her read what can happen, then she will be armed with knowledge rather than demands...

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie...

is what came up when I typed in : non-healing wounds MRSA

good luck..
keep it clean.

I cover my daughters with bandages and she doesn't like it, but only way to keep them from becoming scars, if she continues to pick. That's what I tell my daughter. Hope this helps.

It's tough to get them to stop picking, esp. when they are at school and you can't yell at them to stop. All I would suggest is to keep lots of antibiotic ointment and vitamin E capsules on hand to rub on when she does pick so they hopefully don't scar as badly.

Good luck!

This is so normal! I remember doing this at that age myself. IT is like a science experiment I guess LOL! Try to keep band aids on it and have her doc talk to her about it. Maybe that will help. If nothing else....she will outgrow it.
Good luck
T. Blake
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