I don't know if anyone has any insight as to how I can get my 2.5 year to stop picking a scab on her cheek. We constantly have to keep it clean and put bandaids on it. But to no avail she continues to pick at it in her sleep and when waking from sleep. It continues to get worse and she also keeps opening up the wound. At this point it will probably scar or worse become infected and the infection will spread. We continually remind her not to touch but it seems as though it has become a habit. Almost calming to her. The bandaids only stay on so long to, she peels those off in her crib. I have also tried the liquid bandaids and she picked right through that today before I came to get her in the crib. Any suggestions?!
My son did the same thing with a scab on his face. He ended up having the scab for probably 6 months. There is no scar now!!! Good luck!
My daughter has these big eye patches that are really hard to get off. They are basically like a big band-aid. You can find them near the eyecare section at Walgreens. They are really hard to get off. If those work try using Mederma or the generic on the scar. It will make it fade.
I just wanted to say good luck. I am an adult and it seems like I can't keep my own hand off any bump, blemish or scab. I think it is human nature. God luck.
Funny that you said that picking the scab seems to almost calm her. That's exactly what the picking is about. I have had a terrible habit myself--- and then took time to learn about it...Believe it or not -- it is likened to 'cutting yourself' - feeling pressure,nervousness etc...and then getting relief from it. Calm relief.
Now...I don't know how this equals out re: A 2.5 YR old -- but I understand both the picking and the frustration with seeing it happen. Have you tried the round, dot shaped band-aids?
Also -- Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) is great for drying up the wound more quickly. I apply it with a q-tip and then place the round band-aid on the mark. The oil is remarkable with helping things like that heal fast. I recommend it for scratches, scrapes...even for pimples.
You can find Tea Tree Oil in most natural food stores. It does burn your eyes if it gets in them...so be sure to put the band-aid over it for the face.
Hope this was of some help.
I'm sure that the cutting issue isn't something related to your daughter....but the calming thing probably is. It just feels good to scratch it because it probably itches. And of course, that's the worst thing to do is scratch off the scab.
Try the tea tree oil.
When my daughter was doing that to her scabs, her Dr. recomended that I stay in her room untill she fell asleep to make sure that she was not picking and once she was sleeping putting a pair of light weight mittens on her hands so she couldnt do it in her sleep. It did work, but of course having to be in her room till she fell asleep was another can of worms.
Good luck!!!
P.
That's tough. All I can think of is keep cutting her nails as short as you possibly can, and make sure she washes her hands often. I know this could start something, but maybe have her sleep between you & Dad for a few days and each of you hold her hand. Could you buy her a new special toy to hug and sleep with or something else to redirect her hands?
