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AnonPicker , 07 Jul 2012

What happened? How to answer that question?

Tomorrow I have to go in public with shorts on and I know there will be at least one person that asks me what happened to my legs. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm embarrassed. I tend to pick my legs and my face. My legs look horrible right now because I had some bug bites on vacation a few weeks ago and I have been picking at the scabs and now they are really bad. What do you say if people ask you what happened? I have said "Oh, I have eczema" before but I don't think that would be very believable tomorrow. I could wear jeans but it's going to be over 100 degrees and I'll be outside all day. Help me!
5 Answers
AnonPicker
July 10, 2012

In reply to by Roseslegacy

No one asked. Thankfully! I feel like I look like I'm on Meth. It makes me so sad to think that people might think that I am on drugs. I was looking at images of meth sores online and it kinda creeped me out to think that I look like this. I'm considering seeing a therapist about my picking. I don't know if it would help but I'm tired of being this way. I have only picked minimally in the past few days. Maybe I'm ready to finally tackle this.
Aargh
July 12, 2012
I get asked this question all the time by people who are curious about the rather large picking-induced scars on my neck. Most people are clueless but well meaning. Others are just rude. I tend to gauge my answer based on the tone of their query. If they are being genuinely concerned, I just smile and say "It's nothing serious" or "Nothing to worry about, thanks" and then quickly change the subject. That tactic usually works well. However, if the asker is just being rude or thoughtless, I look at him/her directly in the eye and say in a ridiculously cheerful tone, "Vampire bite! Cool, huh?" That certainly stops them dead in their tracks. So the next time someone asks you about the sores on your legs and arms, just smile and say "It's a stubborn case of leprosy, but the doctors are still hopeful!" Sometimes the only way to make people see how ridiculous they are being is to turn the tables on them and respond in kind. Their embarrassment is a great deterrent. Still, those kinds of rude questions are totally deflating and can depress you further--something none of us pickers needs. I usually end up in tears after an episode like this. But hang in there the best you can during this hot weather that naturally exposes our flaws. Try not to let it get you too down; keeping a sense of humor helps.

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