The desire for perfect, blemish-free skin is one everyone in our modern society strives for. You see pictures of splendidly perfect skin everywhere on Instagram, Facebook, magazines.
But what’s that, you say? More acne? Scabs? Dry skin? It sees like no matter what you do, you are stuck with pimples and bumps.
Some may resort to picking. At least that way, you have control over something. At least that way, you can see a difference, feel a difference.
Picking at your acne can be a form of self-harm. The actual name for it is Dermatillomania and it affects many people with acne and even some without the acne. There are two kinds of Dermatillomania, one of them is an addiction and the other is a compulsion.
A compulsion to pick stems from feeling a sensation in or on the skin that makes you want to pick at it to make the sensation go away. This sensation stems from factors usually inside the body like bad reactions to food, medication, stress, and lack of sleep. People with a compulsion sometimes don’t even realize they are doing it. They just go at it when they get an itchy feeling or some other trigger.
An addiction to picking comes from trying to manage stress in an unhealthy way, or simply because picking feels good. The desire to pick generally comes from wanting perfect skin, so the picker will use any means necessary to even out and flatten blemishes. They believe this will help their appearance when the opposite usually happens. People who are addicted to picking will feel a general sense of relief or a rush when they are finished picking. Think of it like a form of managing stress; they do it to escape their thoughts or problems for a little while and in process, damage their skin.
The need to have some sort of control over reality is often a big factor for people who pick at their skin. It is also a form of perfectionism, and sometimes it may be from other underlying factors like OCD, although that is not always the case.
Managing picking depends on whether you are addicted to picking or if it is a compulsion but the remedies can be very similar.
With an addiction, it’s best to focus more on reconditioning your mind and thoughts that lead up to the picking. Many of the ways to remedy this are similar to other addictions. Changing up your routine, avoiding people and places that make you want to pick, and even changing your diet can all help tremendously in managing the picking tendency.
To manage the compulsion to pick, there are usually a few environmental factors that need to be changed in order to stop. Adding consistency is a huge step. Sleeping and eating routines should be carefully looked at, as those can cause the “itch to pick.” Also considering what foods and medications may be triggering the desire is helpful so you can manage them better. Looking at what goes into your body will help you better understand any imbalances within that lead to compulsion.
Having a guide to help you work through these issues is important to not feel so alone when dealing with an addiction or a compulsion. Sometimes it can be hard to see that there is a problem and having someone else there to show you what the problem is and how to deal with it, is extremely important. But the most important factor of all is that YOU decide to quit. It’s not about anyone else until you make the decision to stop.
The only way to stop picking is to realize that you want to stop. But it doesn’t hurt to have some help along the way. Call us at 801-800-6602. We not only help with acne, but we offer support to those who want to quit picking and get clear skin in the process. We can help you manage the stress that comes from picking by making acne less of a problem. Whatever assistance we can offer for you to obtain clear skin, free of acne and picking scars, we are here to help. Making an appointment is the first step!
Certain infections can be tricky to spot for a few different reasons, and a Staph infection is a top example. Because Staph infections can often look similar to acne and be mistaken for it, it's important to be able to recognize the differences and spot a Staph infection - plus to know what to do if you do identify a Staph infection.
At Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic, we're here to offer the best acne treatments and related services available for clients around Salt Lake City and nearby parts of Utah. While we do not treat Staph infections, as these must be treated by trained medical professionals, our master estheticians can help identify Staph infections and make doctor referrals. Let's go over some important information on Staph infection symptoms, including how early stage Staph infections look compared to acne and the fastest way to cure Staph infections.
For those just learning about Staph infections, it can be helpful to know exactly what they are and how they occur. A staph infection, or a Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) infection, is caused by a type of bacteria found on the skin and in the nose. While this bacteria is typically harmless, it has the potential to cause an infection when it enters the body through cuts or other openings in the skin - or in people with immune compromising conditions like HIV or diabetes.
Staph infections can be contracted in a variety of ways, but the most common method is through direct contact with an infected wound or surface. This could include sharing personal items like towels or razors with someone who has a Staph infection, as well as touching surfaces that have come into contact with the bacteria. It's also possible to get a Staph infection from contaminated food - especially if proper hygiene practices are not followed during preparation and handling.
Another common question is whether or not Staph infections are contagious. The answer is yes - they can be transmitted from person to person through close contact or by sharing personal items. However, not everyone who comes into contact with the bacteria will develop an infection. Those with weakened immune systems and certain chronic health conditions are more at risk for contracting a Staph infection.
Early stage staph infection symptoms can often look similar to acne, making it difficult for some people to recognize the difference. The difference lies in the fact that Staph quickly becomes incredibly inflamed, and there isn’t an obvious border where one lesion ends and another begins.
Staph infections usually look like a boil or pimple, or can look like a rash and be very painful. In some cases, a Staph infection will become hot to the touch and begin spreading extremely quickly - in these situations, it's possible a dangerous strain of bacteria has infected the skin. Immediate medical attention should be sought if this takes place.
Immediate action for Staph infection treatments is vital, both to prevent the more severe risks of a Staph infection and to achieve the fastest way to cure Staph infection. Getting this checked out early is of the utmost importance because if the most virulent strains of Staph infect the blood somehow (via cuts or food poisoning), symptoms will be more severe and require immediate medical attention.
For these reasons, never extract or squeeze pimples or boils as they can become infected with the Staph bacteria and it will spread rapidly. The more critical symptoms include but are not limited to fever, chills, pain in the abdomen or on the skin, blisters, impetigo, redness, diarrhea, nausea, and swollen sores that ooze pus.
Staph infections can also be recurrent, meaning that they can come back after being treated. This makes it even more important to seek medical attention and follow proper treatment protocols to ensure the infection is fully eradicated.
In conclusion, Staph infections are a common but potentially severe skin condition that should not be taken lightly. While they can often look similar to acne, early identification and prompt medical treatment are crucial for preventing serious complications and achieving the fastest way to cure Staph infections. If you suspect you may have a Staph infection, seek professional medical advice and avoid self-treatment methods to ensure proper care and prevention of further spread or recurrence.
While we do not treat Staph infections at Skintherapy Skincare & Acne, we are committed to helping our clients achieve clear and healthy skin. Our master estheticians can help identify suspicious skin conditions and make referrals to medical professionals if necessary.
Contact us today to learn more about our acne treatments or schedule a consultation with our team!
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