Challenging Behaviors: Skin Picking
Caring for a loved one with dementia who engages in skin picking can be emotionally and physically challenging. This is a compulsive behavior of repetitively touching, scratching, or picking at the skin, commonly seen in individuals in middle or late-stage dementia.
Possible Causes
Cognitive or Psychological Triggers: Dementia can cause compulsive behaviors due to changes in brain function.
Emotional Triggers: Anxiety, boredom, or stress may lead to repetitive behaviors like skin picking. Picking their skin may be a way to keep themselves busy and distract/cope with the perceived negative emotion.
Hallucinations or Delusions: Your loved one may be perceiving bugs or items on their skin that they are trying to pick or remove.
Medical Triggers: Physical causes include dry skin, allergies, infections, or medication side effects.
How to Help Reduce Skin Picking
While it is difficult to eliminate this behavior completely, some strategies may help reduce or mitigate its potentially dangerous impacts.
Keep the skin moisturized. Use fragrance-free moisturizers regularly. Apply after bathing and throughout the day if necessary.
Use long-sleeved clothing to reduce access to the skin. Consider arm sleeves or bandages if there are already wounds but consult your healthcare provider first.
Use soft cotton gloves to reduce the impact of picking. Gloves can be especially beneficial if your loved one tends to pick at their skin during the night while sleeping.
Keep nails trimmed short and practice good hand hygiene.
Redirect the behavior by offering a fidget toy, textured fabric, or something to occupy their hands (Ex. a gel stress ball or sensory item).
Provide engaging, soothing activities, such as folding towels, sorting objects, or a gentle hand massage.
Establish a routine that includes calming activities and time for rest. Consistency reduces anxiety and restlessness, which can trigger picking.
Reduce triggers. Minimize loud noises, harsh lighting, or uncomfortable clothing that might irritate their skin or cause agitation.
Gently remind them to take care of their skin without scolding by saying something like "Let me help with that," or "Let's try this cream together."
Use a calm, reassuring tone to avoid increased anxiety or confusion.
We hope this information has given you a better understanding of this challenging behavior. Be sure to bring this to the attention of your loved one’s primary care or memory care provider so that they can ensure there are no medical issues that need attention.