I pick my toenails

I'm extremely obsessed with picking and pulling both my finger and toe nails... I find myself almost subconsciously doing it just about every day... On a typical day i will trim my nails to the point i can't see the white part (i consider over growth...) Bad cuticles are a bitter sweet feeling, as i hate having them - i actually do enjoy pulling at them and ripping them out... pain/bleeding ain't even a setback any more... countless occasions I've pulled of the entire nail which stemmed from just a small bad cuticle...Ive read countless forums and ehow and and wiki about why it is i do it so much... I wouldn't say i do it out of self consciousness or nervousness or stress... im leaning more towards OCD... think I'm more about "trying"to make it look nice - it's pretty much a daily habit now, like brushing your teeth... I know it's not typical for people to do this, and although i live a very healthy life (i don't do any drugs/not an alcoholic) i seriously doubt any chances i can kick this habit...I've been doing it all my life and for as long as my finger nails continue to grow i will always pick at them till they bleed...

I have been picking my toenails chronically since I was 13, so much so I had to have both of my big toenails removed surgically. Stumps grew back but I have picked and ripped these out too. I'm now digging in and ripping out any growth especially at the cuticle. I pick all the skin around it too. I'm moving on to my other toe nails and finger nails! Since reading other posts here and I have noticed other things I do, I pull hair out too! Just not sure what to do as I've been doing ur for so long (and not even noticing it) that I don't think I can stop!

I have been picking off my fourth right toe for years. I will not bother any other toenail but this particular one. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I have been researching and discover toenail picking is known as "CSD" (Compulsive Skin Disorder). This disorder is contribute by stress, OCD, aniety, or depression.

I have been picking my nails all my life, and I am now 56 years old. It definitely started as a way to cope with the stress of my childhood living with domestic violence, my parents. It has become such a coping habit, that I just can't seem to stop. it's a form of "cutting". It hurts, but it distracts me from other issues. I did do hypnotherapy when I was 40, and that did help me limit how much I destroy my fingernails, but I absolutely mutilate my toenails. Sandals? Ha! No, I never get to wear them. yes, it is unsightly, but at least no one ever died from it, like smoking. Oh, well, unless you count "died from the shame of it".

I am so SO glad I found this comment!! I do the exact same thing! My toenails are hideous but when I am stressed or feel I have no control over what is happening in my life, my toenails pay the price. I do the same, I cut them down short, then use my fingers, clippers or tweezers to pull at the sides. They always bleed before I’m done destroying any chance of wearing open toe shoes. If my husband walks in I just say I have an ingrown toenail. It’s embarrassing and I wish I could stop, but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.

I tear out my big toe nails. I even have a "kit". I ordered a set of tools used to extract blackheads and it came with a tool that has a fine point, like a needle with a slight curve at the very tip. It acts like a tiny hook and i use it to get deep into the nail beds and tear out any skin or nail that is growing with the help of my cuticle clippers and several different types of tweezers and peroxide. I have been doing this for so long, my nail bed has changed to the point of ingrowns are inevitable if I'd ever let them grow. The irony is, thats how this all started. I cant stop. I dont want to, but i really do... I have no nail on my left big toe other than a horrid looking thing in the middle because I've pulled everything else around the sides and under the cuticle. What is wrong WITH ME?!

I tear out my big toe nails. I even have a "kit". I ordered a set of tools used to extract blackheads and it came with a tool that has a fine point, like a needle with a slight curve at the very tip. It acts like a tiny hook and i use it to get deep into the nail beds and tear out any skin or nail that is growing with the help of my cuticle clippers and several different types of tweezers and peroxide. I have been doing this for so long, my nail bed has changed to the point of ingrowns are inevitable if I'd ever let them grow. The irony is, thats how this all started. I cant stop. I dont want to, but i really do... I have no nail on my left big toe other than a horrid looking thing in the middle because I've pulled everything else around the sides and under the cuticle. What is wrong WITH ME?!

I have been picking my toenails for as long as I can remember. When I was 21 I had to have a ingrown toenail removed by the Dr. He cut the nail right down the middle all the way to the quick. That very night that 1/2 of nail kept getting caught by the covers, it felt AMAZING. Shortly after that (after the pain from having the nail removed by the dr) I pulled out some clippers & tweezers & proceeded to remove the other 1/2 of the nail. Now 30 years later I still pull out my toenails, now I have acquired some “tools” to help me get all the nail out of my toes. I do it more during the winter months cause I like sandals in the summer. IF I am having a “personal issue” in the summer I wait till that thin layer of skin forms over the nail bed & paint my “toenails” with polish.

Omg!!! I am you!!! Id never believe in a million years anyone else did this!! My story is identical!!! Its scary even. Ty so much 4 posting. U have no idea, really.

Reading all your comments has me wondering if I pick at my toes at times of stress or depression too. I only pick at my pinky toes and I have to cut the nail down at the quick. However, sometimes, like now, the nail being gone makes me feel this excruciating phantom feeling of it being gone and it’s driving me crazy. But having the nail also drives me crazy. Idk what to do. I’d rather not even have a pinky toe at this point.

I destroyed my toenails and it do it till they hurt bleed and I'm limping around... I sometimes get the toenails infected and the throbbing pain is a relief but it hurts I used it for stress management and relief I know I need a healthier way but I dont know how to break it

@ Shonnie5167 you’ll probably never see this, but I have the same problem as you. I started when I had a new bed, and it was covered in plastic. I used to hook my nails on the plastic till the whole thing was was covered with scratches. Then I started to do the same thing with my sheets. I used to wait for my nail to grow so that when it hook it could pull all the way back. The I would pull the nail off. It was a sensational feeling. I think reading these comments make me want to pick my nail off more. I need help.

I'm well over the hill and I can't stop picking at my toenails. I have been doing this since I was a child. I have tried many times just to wear something on my feet to stop but it doesn't last.

HELP ME I am 62 and have been destroying my toenails since I was a child. It seems to release tension when I do it, but the results are ugly and sore toes.

Does anybody know how to stop it. I’m 55 and just ashamed when anyone sees my feet

I wish I could stop doing this. I'm always disgusted with myself when I cause such damage to my toenails :(

Im so pleased to read these comments n find it’s not just me! I always thought I was werid for picking my skin so frequently but iv realised when I’m stressed I pick my toe nails. I had my feet operated on and strangely liked the feeling of the blood pumping up when it was recovering, I then got an ingrowing toe nail snd was left half a nail which I regularly cut n pull out til nothing is left. I kind of like the pain n feel satisfied when there’s blood (I’m odd right) Now Iv started on my other nails n it’s worse when I have a bath. Currently have no nail on my little toe n enjoying the tiny tingle of pain I’m getting, wish I could stop too