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I pull the skin off my feet compulsively
40% Normal
16 Comments

For years, I have compulsively picked at the skin on my feet. It's pretty much the same thing for me as biting my nails or cuticles on my fingers.

I stopped biting my nails a few years ago, but whenever I would bite my cuticles, I'd end up chewing and swallowing the skin. Now I do the same thing with the skin that I pull off my feet.

For some reason, it's really comforting for me to do this. If I have a ragged cuticle on my hand, or a bit of rough skin on my foot, it really bothers me, and it's as if I were picking at it to try and smooth it off. If I don't do anything, it starts to really nag at me and distract me.

I know, the idea of eating one's own dead skin sounds really gross when I say it out loud, but the truth is, it feels really comforting.

Does ANYONE else do this?
Do you think it's normal?
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Comments (16)
DisturbedAngel666 (9555)
2009-03-10 11:03:49
I Bite My Fingernails & Chew My Skin Off my Hands I Know How You Feel To Me It's Normal, I Don't Do It To My Feet Though
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Nightshade11 (21925)
2009-04-14 00:08:09
I thought I was the only one! I love peeling the skin off my feet... The only thing you have to be careful of is infections. I don't eat the skin, but me and my dad love to see how big I can make the peeled-off chunks!
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tintedcouture (22337)
2009-05-16 06:55:09
I have an OCD with chewing the skin from my fingers. The texture is kind of amazing, but I never swallow. It actually only happens when I'm nervous and agitated, so I don't think it's good for me at all.

I just could never stop, so if someone can quit, let me know.
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chunkybongo (18981)
2009-10-13 00:23:22
I totally pull the skin off my feet and it's ridiculously satisfying!! I think it's a kind of natural impulse. Also if I start peeling my foot skin off, I have to keep peeling it until I've pulled as much of it off as I possibly can without breaking the surface of the living skin. I think one of these days I'm probably going to get fed up with this kind of nonsense though...
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harachi (22902)
2009-12-08 12:24:15
I used to do this as alot as a kid. Loved it so much that I used to smear my arms with glue and wait for it to dry, then I'd revel in pulling it off like skin.
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aspgirl (33949)
2010-01-02 11:33:01
I would occasionally take off skin, but I definitely wouldn't eat it. I do bite my fingernails. And sometimes I would pull out chunks of ingrowing toenail, rather than going to the doctor for it (because the procedure is far too painful). I also tend to pick off scabs sometimes as well, which means they take ages to heal. It's probably a compulsive thing. Everyone I know knows that I bite my nails, but only my mum knows that I "treat" my own ingrowing toenails. Apart from that, no one else knows about my habits. But I doubt if it's all that unusual, because loads of people do stuff with their skin and nails, etc. But I can honestly say, I've never heard of anyone eating their own dead skin. If I were you, I'd keep it to myself, to avoid embarrassment.
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loverofpublictransportation (37714)
2010-02-28 22:04:45
@: tintedcouture
I have chewed on skim from my hands and feet as well. It's a very interesting texture. I seem to have a compulsion to make my skin perfectly smooth. I often find myself picking off tiny bumps from my arms or face (with sometimes bloody results). Now that I think of it, I actually haven't picked at my feet recently. You just have to find something else to do. Wear really warm socks that you don't want to take off. Convince yourself that your feet are covered in gross germs that will make you puke. Find something else to pick at, that isn't harmful or anything- I like to pick orange peels to shreds and eat them. Chew gum to occupy your mouth, and read a book to occupy your hands.
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Budthewise (29424)
2010-03-01 00:57:39
I do this also but I go a step further and I keep it in my old prescription pill bottles. I kid you not, I have a full container of dead skin next to my computer.
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Jen118584 (30020)
2010-03-03 20:55:29
@: Budthewise
Wow, just when I thought you couldn't get more disgusting.....but, you never do cease to surprise me, Bud.
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Budthewise (29424)
2010-03-04 20:38:02
@: Jen118584
Seriously, are you following me around because you have a crush or something? Thank you so much for your attention and you are sorta cute but I am engaged though. Please focus on some guy who will love you for you and not follow around guys who are taken.

Thank you though.
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Jen118584 (30020)
2010-03-05 07:18:16
@: Budthewise
No, I follow you around because I hate you and I want you to be miserable.
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UrbanArtLover (38088)
2010-03-07 19:22:35
I think you have Dermatillomania. PLease Google it.
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UrbanArtLover (38088)
2010-03-07 19:28:29
Oh, and another thing i want to add in. whatever you do, for god sake, stay with skin picking. Please, please, don't start pulling out your hair. i have this condition where you have this unstoppable urge to pull out your own hair and eat it. It has ruined my life. for god sake, consider yourself lucky that you dont have this condition that i have.
- UrbanArtLover.
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simba1 (30156)
2010-03-15 01:43:44
@: Budthewise
See? I told you you are a nutcase!!!
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simba1 (30156)
2010-03-15 01:46:38
@: Jen118584
Well done! Why else would you do it? I totally agree. And to think he puts it down to you having some sort of crush on him is laughable. I have seen the way he talks to you (and others!!!) and have seen his photo. Even that looks creepy.
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simba1 (30156)
2010-03-15 01:50:01
@: harachi
Yeah. I used to do that to. You have taken me back about 30 years!
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