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 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
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.
Recommended Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
I’ve put together this list of the best fidget toys for skin picking, organized by category. All reviews are based on items I personally use or that have helped my neurodivergent friends. 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 reusable 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.
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.
Mega Loom Picking 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.
Shiggy Long Bristles Anxiety Trichotillomania Sensory Brush - Stress Relief Increases Focus Soothing (Purple)
- BlueDaisy’s Shiggy LongBristles relieves stress; it helps children and adults unwind, relax and loosen up. The bright colors lift the mood and relax the senses.
- The soft and gentle silicone bristles are a welcome distraction from BIG EMOTIONS, a delight to fidget with, and a fine diversion from body-focused repetitive behavior or spinning thoughts..
Silicone Therapressure Body Brush (Blue)
- [Sensory Application] Brushes can be used to apply deep pressure massage and improve sensory defensiveness.
- [Cosmetic Usage] Perfect for applying beauty products without soaking up liquids
- [Sanitary] Brushes are easy to clean and dry. Can be cleaned with soap and water.
Pocket-Sized Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
Pop one of these playthings in a purse or pocket for pure picking pleasure anywhere, anytime.
Elastic Loop Fidget for BFRBs
This elastic loop fidget is smaller than the one above 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!
Stretchy Loom Picking Fidget | Finger Fidget
Elastic Donut Picking 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
Break me off a piece of that 3D-printed chocolate bar slider toy! You can slip your nail between the bars for a satisfying picking sensation along with sliding the magnetic pieces back and forth against each other.
Fidget Chocolate Bar, Fidget Toy, Stress Ball, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Sensory Tool, Desk Toy
Haptic Magnetic Thumb Slider Toy for Dermatillomania
Much like the candy bar toy above, this provides a sliding sensation plus soothing ridges to rub or pick.
T-Conceal 2022 Fidget Slider Haptic Coin Decompression Toys ADHD Adult Metal EDC Casual Fidget Toy Magnetic Blocks (K)
- This fidget sliders edc fidget coin is made of metal and the surface is electroplated, so it is very smooth and feels more comfortable. The inside of the slider is inlaid with magnets, and except for the side where the magnet is inlaid, the other surfaces are engraved with delicate playing card-style patterns. If you are a lover of EDC toys, this haptic coin is for you!
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.
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.
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. If you’re looking for more options like this, check out my other article on fidget jewelry.
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
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.
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 Falling Water Thinking Putty® (3.2 oz)
- A crystal clear transparent blue putty that shimmers with iridescent edges to simulate moving water
- Becomes cloudy with use and changes back to crystal clear
- Squeeze it, tear it, bounce it, and sculpt it!
Free shipping
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty 4" Tin - Super Illusions Super Lava - Multi-Color Putty, Soft Texture - Never Dries Out
- Made in the USA
- Great for all ages
- Hours of fun
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.
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. In addition to her private practice, she works as a science communicator, teaching health literacy in schools and online.
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