Fidget Toys for Skin Picking, Hair Pulling, and Dermatillomania
I'm a picker, I'm a grinner, I'm a lover, and I'm a sinner… a skin picker, that is! I pick and bite my fingers and nails, and I'm not alone. If you struggle as I do, these fidget toys for skin picking can help you direct your focus elsewhere and address your needs in a healthy way.
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- Overall Favorite: Pick Palette
- Best Substitute for Skin Picking: Pick Pad
- Best Pocket-Sized: Stretchy Loom Picking Fidget
- Best Under $10: Mr. Pen Spiky Sensory Rings
- Best to Stop Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling): Shiggy Long Bristles Brush
- Best to Stop Nail Biting: Textured Fingertip Covers
- Best Peeling and Pulling Fidget: Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty
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Understanding Skin Picking and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Dermatillomania (skin picking) and trichotillomania (hair pulling and twirling) are body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). BFRBs are very common among people with anxiety, ADHD, and autism — but neurotypical people and those who haven't been diagnosed with a mental health condition may also pick their skin.
Self-grooming, including picking and pulling, are types of fidgeting, also known as stimming. Stimming is natural and necessary, and it's generally a good thing — stims like flapping your hands, bouncing your foot, and spinning are perfectly healthy, even if some people find them “weird.” But unfortunately, some stims can be harmful, and BFRBs such as skin picking may pose health risks if you often have sores or give yourself an infection. Many people who live with BFRBs struggle with shame and want to stop, but are unable to do so.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, including dialectical behavior therapy, can be helpful in treating and reducing BFRBs that lead to emotional distress or physical injury. Medication can also help to reduce the underlying anxiety and depression that contribute to BFRBs. Please visit the TLC Foundation for BFRBs to learn more and find support.
Body-focused repetitive behaviors are not the same as self-harm, although there can be overlap. If you're picking to cause yourself pain or significant injury, visit the Crisis Text Line website to learn more and talk to someone who can help.
How Fidget Toys for Skin Picking Can Help
Body-focused repetitive behaviors are not shameful — they're a “symptom” of being a human being with feelings in a messed-up world. People used to recommend tactics like putting something that tastes bad on your fingers to stop nail biting. But all that does is make you feel guilty and miserable with no alternative outlet to address your needs. So instead of telling yourself that you have to stop skin picking, nail-biting, hair pulling, etc. because it's bad, start by exploring the reasons why you do it, and recognize that your feelings are valid. Then think about redirecting those impulses toward a safe stim that will allow you to express your emotions without hurting your body.
Fidget toys for skin picking are a great place to start. Thanks to fidget spinners, the concept is well-known and fidgeting is much less stigmatized than it was in the past. Many fidget toys for skin picking are small and easy to carry in your pocket or keep on your desk at work. Others are attractive works of art or allow you to express your creativity. They all provide a healthy outlet for anger, anxiety, sensory overload, and any other emotion that triggers BFRBs for you.
How We Chose the Best Skin Picking Fidget Toys
In case you’re wondering how we chose these fidget toys for skin picking and why you should trust us, here’s what you should know:
- As the author of this article, have struggled with BFRBs since I was a kid, related to my autism and anxiety disorder. I use my own experiences testing different items to write my reviews.
- I’ve included reviews from friends and Ability Toolbox Instagram followers, so you can get trusted advice from neurodivergent peer experts like you who benefit from fidget toys.
- The Ability Toolbox is a website created by and for disabled people. We believe in supporting small businesses, especially those owned by others with disabilities, and recommend them whenever possible.
Recommended Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
I've put together this list of the best fidget toys for skin picking, organized by category. I hope you'll be able to find the help you need for your particular BFRB here.
Table and Desk Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
These skin picking fidgets can sit on your desk or coffee table to be easily accessible when dermatillomania or trichotillomania urges strike.
Pick Palettes for Dermatillomania
These pick plates come in lots of different themes, and you can create your own artistic designs. They help to destigmatize picking and peeling, and you can even invite a friend or colleague to try them out.
Pros
- Very satisfying picking sensation — pick pads and palettes are extremely effective at breaking bad habits that harm you and replacing them with healthy stims.
- Cute and fun to use, looks great on your desk or table.
- Encourages creativity; redesigning after they are picked apart is fun!
Cons
- Creating new designs on pick plates takes time, so they may not be the best for busy people.
- Pick pads last a long time but are not reusable.
- Small parts can be a hazard to small children and pets.
Pick Palette Skin Picking Fidget Toy Adult Teen Bundle - Garden Texture Floral to Pick, Dig and Peel - Anxiety Kit Desk Toy
Tapered Square Pick Pads•2 for 10•150-250 beads•Skin Picking Alternative•Autism•ADHD•ADD•Fidget•Dementia•Alzheimer's•Challenging•GrossMotor
PERSONALIZED Special Edition Picking Plate for anxiety, stress, fine motor activity fidget. Full kit bundle including 3 Picky Paints
RAINBOW Pick Pad•THE ORIGINAL•2 for 18•Double the beads in a smaller size!Skin Picking Alternative•Dermatillomania• Fine Motor• Autism-Thin
See more in the Pick Palette Shop and Pick Pad Shop
Plate to Stop Skin Peeling Behavior
If you kind of love the aftermath of a sunburn, you'll find this fidget a-peeling.
Skin Picking Alternative Picking Plate
Sensory Stones for Finger Picking
These stones can be picked with your fingers, which makes them a good choice for people who find picking tools like tweezers to be a self-harm trigger.
Picky Party Finger Picking Stone Sensory Stone - No Tools Needed
Sensory Stone -- NO TOOLS NEEDED
Elastic Loop Fidget to Stop Hair Pulling
This large size elastic loop fidget provides a great alternative to habits like hair pulling and picking at skin tags. You can stretch and snap the bands and it's very satisfying.
The second elastic loop fidget is smaller and fits in your pocket. These are super handy (pun intended) for addressing a wide variety of body-focused repetitive behaviors. My elastic fidget is my favorite and I always have it with me. These are made by a disabled designer and I love the wide variety of color choices!
Mega Loom Picking Fidget
Stretchy Loom Picking Fidget | Finger Fidget
Sensory Brush for Trichotillomania
This multi-functional sensory brush can be used to rub and soothe the skin, or you can twist and pull the bristles instead of pulling your hair. It's made of soft silicone, a texture I love, and I know many neurodivergent people who feel the same way.
Pimple Popping Fidget for BFRBs
If you like to pop zits and peel scabs, you'll love this pimple simulator.
Novelty Popping Pimples Blackhead Toys Ears Shaped Pimple Popping Decompression Acne Blackheads Fan Remover Fun Toy(Upgraded Tweezers)
- Funny:You'll love it.Blackheads remover toy is fun, decompression, mood enhancing and is the best friend in your life.Upgraded tweezers:thicker, stronger, and easier to use.
- Reusable:It can be reused.After the "blackhead" is pulled out, it can be pressed into the "ear" toy, which can be used repeatedly.The toy can be extruded more than 10,000 times.
Angel's Wonderland Novelty Funny Toy,Pimple Popper Blackhead Toys as Adults Gag Gifts,April Fool's Gifts,Fidget Toy Keychain, Pimple Popping Toy Popper...
- 【Warm Tips】Package: 1× blackhead toy;1 ×tweezers① Do not squeeze or pinching blackheads area, it will make the blackheads disappear.② Since the blackheads are imported by hand, the number and length of the blackheads may vary.③ Some hair are easy to pull out and some are hard, they brings you the variety of experiences. For those very hard to pull out, please ref the following Link video.
Pocket-Sized Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
Pop one of these playthings in a purse or pocket for pure picking pleasure anywhere, anytime.
Worry Stone for Scraping and Scratching
If you like to scratch or scrape things with your nails, textured worry stones are an excellent alternative to save your skin.
Textured Worry Stones - 23 Color Options! - Finger Fidget
Textured Worry Stone Discs - 23 Color Options - 3 Styles
Worry Stone Necklace - 23 Color Options! - Finger Fidget
Pocket Elastic Ball to Stop Hair Pulling
This cute elastic string ball fits in your pocket and can help you cope with pulling and peeling compulsions.
Trichotillomania Fidget
Beaded Spinning Fidget for Hair Twirling and Pulling
If you twirl or pull your hair or pick your scalp, this lovely beaded device can help you break the habit and replace it with a healthier stim.
Stim Toy for Hair and Skin Picking Support | Crystal Roller Fidget Toy and Spinner
Candy Bar Skin Picking Fidget
Enjoy these candy and cookie toys for a satisfying slide sensation.
Haptic Magnetic Thumb Slider Toy for Dermatillomania
These fidgets let you slide the magnetic pieces back and forth against each other plus have soothing ridges to rub or pick.
Triangle Rotation Fidget Slider EDC Adult Metal Fidget Toys ADHD Tool Anxiety Stress Relief Toys Fun Office Desk Toys Men...
- Product Design - The Rotating fidget slider consists of two metal bodies. The novel triangular appearance, with spiral textures carved on both sides of the front and back, greatly increases the friction with the hands, making it smoother to use. Every detail of the slider has been precision machined, the surface is delicate and smooth, and it is more comfortable to hold.
Fidget Toy - Cool Metal Haptic Slider | Slim Design Clicker Sensory Gadget | Easy to Carry Office Desk Toy...
- | Unique Fidget Toy | Featured with switch button simulation! Metallic body with smooth, matte finish offers amazing grip and controlled click with an unbeatable, timely switch turn-on and turn-off simulation. Keys can be removed and rearranged.
Wearable Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
If you're trying to stop picking and pulling at your body, a wearable fidget is ideal since it closely mimics what you're already doing, and you'll always have it with you.
Cuffs for Skin Scratching and Pulling
These wearable cuffs can help if you struggle with skin scratching and picking.
Scratch and pull skin picking cuff wraps around wrist calms anxiety associated with Dermatillomania, Trichotillomania
If you like these, you may also benefit from fidget blankets and muffs.
Finger Covers for Nail Biting and Hangnail Picking and Biting
If you pick or bite your nails, hangnails, and/or finger skin, these finger covers can provide a similar sensation while protecting your fingers. This is my major BFRB and I've been able to reduce it a lot by wearing finger covers while I watch TV at night.
Lee Tippi Micro Gel Fingertip Grips -Assorted - Size 5 Small - 10 Pack (S61050)
- Ventilated won't make fingers sweat or smell
- Patented open design works with long fingernails
- Acid, PVC and Latexfree
- Used by bank tellers, cashiers, mailroom clerks and more
- 10 pack of the Size 5 (small) Fingertip Grips in assorted colors
Fidget Toys,5PCS Squid Sucker Toys Finger Sucker Toys Decompression Sucker Toy Fidget Toy for Kids and Adults Anxiety Relief ADHD...
- 【Novelty Design】This toy is designed with 3D Finger Suction Cup Toy,Finger suction cups can stick like spiders ,which have strong adsorption and can be easily adsorbed on any smooth surface or object; so it is easy to take,You can throw them on the refrigerator, on the chair, on the notebook, any smooth surface can be adsorbed on it.
Sensory Rings to Stop Skin Picking
These rings can help you stop picking or biting the skin on your hands and fingers, and they're subtle enough to wear in public.
Mr. Pen- Spiky Sensory Rings, 10 Pack, Stress Relief Fidget Sensory Toys, Fidget Rings, Fidget Ring for Anxiety, Stress Relief...
- Package Includes 10 Pieces Spiky Sensory Finger Rings In Different Colors
- Made Of Good Quality Stainless Steel With An Anodized Coating, Durable, Reusable, Rust-Proof And Not Easy To Fade
- These Massaging Rings Can Reduce Anxiety, Relieve Stress, Can Promote The Blood Circulation Of The Finger To A Certain Extent, Very Suitable For Students, Office Workers, etc.
Excoriation Disorder, Dermatillomania, Picking At Skin Disorder, Skin Picking, Trichotillomania, Mental Health, Eating Disorder, OCD
If you're looking for more options like this, check out our guide to fidget jewelry.
More Unique Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
These toys don't quite fit into any other category, but may be helpful in your journey to replace a body-focused repetitive behavior with a healthy stim.
Lock Pick Set
If you're going to pick, why not learn a useful skill at the same time? Lock picking has become a popular hobby, and as long as you're not doing it to steal from or hurt others, you might as well give it a try.
Practice Lock Pick Set with Instructions | 15-Pieces Professional Lock Picking Tools with One Practice Lock | Gift Set for...
51PCS Lock Training R Skill Set Clear Lock Picking set suitcase padlocks with keys locks with keys spy gadgets for...
KEZE 11Pcs Precision Pick & Hook Set with Scraper and Magnetic Telescoping Tool Kit for Remove Automotive Electronics Maintenance Hoses...
- Pick and hook tool set includes 5 larger automotive picks – 6”shafted straight mechanic pick,curved hook,45-degree hook,90-degree right angle pick,and a 1”scraper tool with 4”grip handles(10”/25.4cm full length);Also includes 4 smaller hooks - 3”shafted straight pick,curved hook,45-degree hook,and 90 degree pick tool with 3.5”grip handles (6.5”/16.5cm full length)
Putty and Slime as an Alternative to Skin Peeling and Hair Pulling
If you pull your hair or peel your skin, stretching slime or putty can be an excellent replacement behavior.
Crazy Aaron’s Hide Inside!® Design Studio Kit
- Activity kit includes ½ lb of clear Thinking Putty in a storage tin, 12 premixed packs of Hide Inside pieces, 6 colored pencils, and 3 tins with customizable labels
- Create tons of combinations using the different Hide Inside shapes
Crazy Aaron's Falling Water Thinking Putty® (3.2 oz)
- Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty Falling Water is Totally Transparent!
- Made in the USA from nontoxic silicone and never dries out
- Stretch it, bounce it, pop it, tear it, and sculpt it! Fun for ages 3+
- Includes 1/5 lb. (3.2 oz) of Genuine Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
Crazy Aaron's Putty Mini Tins Mystical Crystal, Ukulele, Starfish & Rose Gold Gift Set Bundle - 4 Pack (13.3g Each)
- This is an amazing sample set of 4 (2 Inch, .47oz) Mini Tins from Crazy Aaron! This set is ideal for party favors, special needs, stocking stuffers, schools and so much more!
- Mystical Crystal - Crystals are formed into all sorts of unique shapes when a liquid becomes a solid. Some crystals have metaphysical properties that can promote peace, abundance, and more! This beautiful ice blue putty has pyramid shaped glitter powerful for manifesting your desires. Ukulele - Ukulele is a Hawai’ian word pronounced “oo-koo-leh-leh”. Give it a try! Get your thumbs ready to strum to the beat of this putty!
Crazy Aaron’s Putty Pets Playful Puppy Thinking Putty®
- Clear putty with green, purple, and blue irregular shaped glitter pieces
- Stretch it, bounce it, pop it, tear it, and sculpt it!
- Never dries out!
- Fun for ages 3+
- Includes 1/5 lb (90 g) of Genuine Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty
Bye Bye Anxiety, Therapy Dough, Scented Butter Slime, Aromatherapy Anxiety Relief Gift, Stress Relief Popular Slime Shops, Slime Fantasies
What are the best fidget toys for skin picking you have tried?
Let us know in the comments.
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Hey I'm Olivia and I'm a proud Autistic woman. My special interests are cats, stim toys, and electronic music! I love to write and help other Autistic adults find ways to enjoy life in this LOUD world!
Dr. Wilson graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, IL. Dr. Wilson specializes in providing culturally competent and trauma-informed care to patients with physical disabilities. In addition to her private practice, she works as a science communicator, teaching health literacy to middle school and high school students in her local school district.
