Picker's Acne or Acne Excoriee

Acne excoriée or picker’s acne is the term given for scratched or picked pimples. Acne excoriée begins as a common acne outbreak of pimples. A pimple erupts, first one, then another. Many people find it almost impossible not to mess with, poke, prod, and squeeze the pimple. Acne excoriee is considered an emotional motivated or induced acne condition.

The problems that arise with picking and scratching acne blemishes is that it’s unsanitary and infection can set in, causing a larger blemish. Neurotic squeezing and pressing of the pimples, trying to rid the contents with the fingers, exacerbates minimal acne lesions on the face. As a result, hyperpigmentation and stellate contracted scars occur, while often the original underlying acne has healed. Acne excoriée is more common in females than males, and can be a sign of stress or depression. Sometimes it is just a bad habit that's hard to break; the acne may not actually be all that severe.

Why Do We Pick Acne Pimples?

Acne excoriee usually begins during adolescence, when ideas of self-image are in upheaval and undergoing change, matching the hormonal and growth changes going on with the body. A fragile self-image may create an atmosphere where every imperfection perceived, real or not, is distortedout of porportion. By picking away at the acne blemishes on the face, many people find satisfaction, as if they are picking away at their troubles or their emotional pain. Others pick because they are nervous or uncomfortable with the changes in their body. They cause physical damage to their faces in order to fend off any physical advances they may be unperpared to deal with . Picking acne lesions may also be a coping mechanism designed to mask or hide the pain of physical or emotional abuse in the picker’s life. This trauma may be ongoing or an eent from their past.

One sign that distinguishes excoriated acne from acne vulgaris is by the presence of hyperpigmented brown spots on the areas of the skin where acne eruptions are likely. These brown spots are scars from previous blemishes that have been picked to the point of permanent tissue damage.