Does anyone pick at the bottom of their feet? My story

i wanna knw what steps i can take to stop before my feet get infected. every time i try to stop, i end up doing it unconsciously like when watching a movie and stuff. this is really amazing though to know that i'm not alone. i used to do it when i was like 10 to 15 yrs then i stopped and i started back again at 21...now im 22 and still peeling off the skin under my feet sometimes till it bleeds. i used to chew on it long time but not anymore. my family and my bf wants me to stop and they hit my hand whenever im doing it, lol, but that doesn't stop me. why have i started back though? like is their a cause??? someone told me its cuz of stress an i'm a university student, so i wudn't doubt them...lol....lemme knw asap some steps to stop and why do i do it...tnx

You are certainly not alone! There are many people among us who struggle with this problem but do not talk openly about it for fear of judgement or criticism. It is possible that the reason you started picking at your feet in the first place is that there was something to pick at! If you have abnormal callousing on the soles of your feet, I recommend having a dermatologist take a sample and send it to the lab for analysis to determine what kind of topical medicine would eradicate the source of the problem. You can find all kinds of recommended natural remedies online (such as daily soaking in apple cider vinegar), but if these don't work, you might consider taking a prescription internal medicine. (Keep in mind and be aware that there is a risk of dangerous side effects to taking this internal medication and ask your doctor about these before choosing this option.) In addition, the picking itself is a kind of neurosis (not too dissimilar from compulsive nail biting or pulling out eyebrow and other hairs). For this I would recommend find a counselor whom you like and trust and begin to address the sources of your anxiety, explore how you can reduce the level of stress in your life, and develop more positive coping skills. Meditation, yoga, DBT, and any type of stress-reducing mindfulness practices will be of benefit. I hope you find this posting helpful. Best of luck in overcoming this problem, my dear!

Hi,I'm 19 and I'm also always picking at the bottoms of my feet. I've been doing it for about two years. I was a dancer and always had calloused feet. I only pick my heels and occasionally the ball of my foot or big toe when my heels become too painful to pick. I also pick until I'm raw and bleeding. I've done many home remedies to try and make them "less pickable" but I always find a way to pick at them. Is it from nervousness or anxiety? Because I have both, but I'm not sure why. It's comforting to know I am not alone in this problem!

This is amazing you have a site for this. I know how to stop picking your heel. But first I have to say I have picked my heel since I was 5ish. I never would make it bleed or be infected, but sometimes it would hurt. I would peel huge hunks while I hid for hide and seek. I would do it when ever I was bored. My family told me to stop but it was impossible. I would save the big pieces for pride. I didnt see what was wrong with this at all. It almost felt 'nice.' Fast forward 10 years. I was picking both feet, and my big toes. I was actually chewing them and trying to stop. It must be instinctive to chew. I was also picking behind my ears and at my lips. I could easily stop doing the previous two, but my heel received no rest from my nails, which I was growing out longer. I realized that it was no good. (Mainly for cosmetic reasons. I had joined the swim team and it looked disgusting in the water ;) Heres what I did to stop. 1. Choose one foot, and leave the other alone. Once the other is healed, chose one half of the picked foot to leave alone, and so on until your foot is fine. 2. Instead of picking, I scraped off the dead. This provided the same chemical response, and made my heels look better. 3. I used a pumice stone, and ground them so far down, they were next to unpick able. 4. I coated my feet in vasaline and slept with a sock around them. For me, this next tip was what cured my heel picking. Fact: I love Nail Polish Art!!!!! I would cover my nails with polish, and NOT PICK because i didnt want the pretty designs to chip. The more elaborate the design, the better. I know this may not work with everyone. (It probably wont work with anyone other than OCD me) Here are some other tips I think may work. 1. File nails down 2. Put feet in socks and rubber band the tops so they cannot come off 3. Put something greasy on so you cant pick them 4. Type with two hands and leave your hands on the keyboard when you are not typing so your hands dont wander. 5. Or comb your hair to not get the urge. 6. Rub your heel. Don't pick if you really have to put your hands there. 7. Snap a rubber band on your wrist. You can do it :) I did. Please stop, it IS harmless (if you dont bleed) but is disgusting to other people. You cant share your problem. You get teased. Stop and show them you are over it and you have grown up. I believe in ya

I do the exact same thing! It is nice to know there is someone else who picks at their feet as badly as i do. I cause myself to bleed and pick until it is a very raw. I use scissors to pick and get skin up more.i want to stop so badly

I can't believe I found this site. I was just looking to see if anyone picked all kinds of stuff except me. I love to peal paint that is peeling and of course sun burned skin. Lately, though I have started to pick the bottom of my feet, something awful. I can't stand it anymore. It feels more like a ball and chain around my neck. I want out, or at least have someone tell me why I am doing it. I love pretty things and pretty nails. I do not bite my finger nails, or toes. I use to though when I was little. That was only 50 yrs ago. . Can someone out there, give me a decent remedy to stop and fix this. I want my feet to be soft and pretty , not bleeding with giant band aids on them. Thanks.

I have been picking at my right heel for years! I though I was odd, and my wife and kids know I do it, but its normal to them now! I don' t want my kids to start, and I really want to stop! But picking is somehow comforting to me! Sometimes I do it knowingly - other completely subconsciously! I went for a period of about 6 months without picking, until my wife mentioned that I hadn't been doing it - and bingo - I started again. Usually it ends up with me limping for a spell of a couple of days or so. Sometimes I can end up with a tiny piece of very loose tissue which is attached inside a sore that I have created but needs to be detached. It can take hours of wiggling about (sometimes sawing at with a small blade) until it comes out - it feels like an achievement when it finally does come out - but is usually excruciatingly painful. The piece of tissue removed feels like a trophy! Also, I sometimes pick at the nail on my right little toe, until the nail comes off and the toe is bleeding! WHY WHY WHY do I feel the need to do this? I'm a (supposedly) normal 48 y/o, happily married with goods kids, and a well-paid job. I have no feelings of insecurity or anything similar which might be an obvious cause for me to do this. I know its ridiculous, yet I can't seem to stop! I decided to see if anyone else suffered with this, and am amazed to find so many others with a similar problem! I will be watching with curiosity to see if anyone manages to free themselves from this ridiculous habit!

I've been foot-picking off and on for as long as I can remember. I don't think I've ever caused them to bleed, but I have done it enough to cause discomfort

I did it again today and have a red spot on the bottom of my left foot that hurts a little when I walk

http://www.forevermissed.com/Zailee. There you can see why I have the most anxiety I have ever had in my life. The other night I woke on the middle of the night & started picking. He looked up, got annoyed just like my daughter does when she sees me doing it when she's awake. I disturbed his precious sleep.

Why did it do my post three times? Didn't see delete so I am editing. That post was too long for 3 times!

When I get anxious, I pick at my feet. I do know how to fix it...and I got it all fixed up in time for beach but when that was over, I was lying awake one night, worrying and it took me quite awhile to work up a spot to pick. I almost feel like an expert I have so many suggestions. First, get neosporin or good lotion & press & seal. Every night before bed get your feet good & gooey and wrap them in press & seal & put on socks. Second thing, I have an electric sander (a mouse) with a low grit sandpaper you can really get your feet smooth and hard to find a place to start the picking. You can also buy a sanding block (for Sheetrock-none of this wussy foot products). Just do a lite sanding on your callously spots every day and keep up with the neosporin wrapped feet & ur feet can be amazing. Now, to do this and settle your craving to pick...get crazy glue. You can put it on ur feet to assist in getting dead skin off or it's kinda fun on the back of your foot, the wrinkly part. I bet an elbow would be fun too. Somewhere with tough skin so no damage is caused. Put it on, let it dry & pick away.

When I read this I almost cried. Everything you explained I do to the exact. I pick my feet for hours. They are scarred and they hurt all the time. I hate wearing shoes because they hurt more. When I can't pick at my feet I notice I bite the skin off around my fingernails to where they bleed and at work since my hands get dirty I chew the inside of cheeks and lips. I'm almost always in some sort of pain. You have no idea how relieved I feel that I am not alone. I wish that I could stop but nothing I have tried helps. At all. Thank you for sharing your story. -Anna

I do pick at the bottom of my feet, especially when there is hard skin on the pad by my big toe. I have spent a good hour or two trying to make a indent to work with. Thanks for sharing

Man o man I am with you guys all the way. I pick all the time. What made me come across this site is I was looking up the damage that picking can cause on your heels cause I haven't been able to walk well for the last week or so. It hurts so bad. I pick alot but its amazing that I only two small spots that brought blood and I am in this much pain. I knew picking was common but no one talks about it. My fiance hates it but I cant help. I sneek to do it when he is around. Its sad. Just wanted to share my story. Thanks

I'm 17 and I pick at my feet obsessively, I use instruments such as pins, safety pins, and other sharp objects to poke under my skin and rip it up. I've caused myself a lot of discomfort when walking around school, and walking around my job. I've been picking at my skin since I can remember, and whenever I feel anxious I pick the most. I'd love to know how to stop and where to start to stop. I used to pick at my fingers around my nails, but that became to noticeable and so now I stick with picking anywhere on my foot I can find hard skin that's easy to pick. I often pick until I can't take the pain anymore or I'm bleeding really badly. I need help from this problem and I don't know where to start, I'm just glad I'm not alone, it's very addicting!

I believe this is a FUNGAL INFECTION called "Mocassin Feet," which is extremely resistant to treatment. It is a sign that there is an imbalance of Candida in your system (a problem called Candidiasis), which can be treated with the guidance of a Naturopath or Herbalist (the podiatrists I have talked to have not been helpful). A change of diet -- especially cutting out alcohol and limiting sugar and yeast intake -- plus anti-viral medications or herbs (such as P'au D'Arco, oil of oregano, and garlic) can solve the problem. Making these changes under the guidance of a naturopath or herbalist is recommended as there is a danger of Candida "Die Off," which can make you very sick. The process must be done carefully over time. I have started this process and will post again in the future. Best of luck to all of us!

It is possible that foot pickers have something called "Moccasin Feet," which is fungal and very hard to cure without internal medicine (such as Lamisal) or natural cures, including powerful probiotics combined with garlic, colloidal silver, Pau D'arco, oil of oregano, black walnut extract, and others. These cures should be taken VERY carefully because when the Candida organisms are killed they become toxic to the system. The fungus lives on the bottoms of your feet as a result of an excess of Candida in your system. Symptoms of "Candidiasis" are supposed to get worse before they get better. I suggest that you all Google "Moccasin Foot" as well as "Candidiasis." Many of us are picking at our feet because there really IS something foreign there to pick at (white and spongy after a bath or swim?). You are not crazy! Western medicine does not seem to address this problem, so please see an enlightened Naturapath or herbalist who can supervise the process because "Die Off" can land you in the E.R.. Good luck and take care!