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 Favorites: Picky Pads by Bina and Picky Party Pads
- 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.
KOI POND Fish and Stones Bead Mix Silicone Picky Pad - Stress and Anxiety Relief - Fidget Pick Toy - Skin Picky, Dermatillomania, ADHD
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.
- Small parts can be a hazard to small children and pets.
- Reusable, but it requires time and effort.
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See more from Picky Party Pads and Pick Pads by Bina
Plate to Stop Skin Peeling Behavior
If you kind of love the aftermath of a sunburn, you'll find this fidget a-peeling.
The Original Pick 'N Peel Stone Bundle Patent # 11,878,253 *Made in the USA*
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.
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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!
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Wearable Fidget Toys for Skin Picking
If you're trying to stop picking and pulling at your body, a wearable skin picking 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 and pickable knitted beads can help if you struggle with skin scratching and picking.
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.
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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 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.
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.
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What are the best fidget toys for skin picking you have tried?
Let us know in the comments.
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More ADHD & Neurodiversity Resources in The Ability Toolbox
- ADHD Merch: T-Shirts, Pins & Stickers for Proud Neurodivergents
- So You’ve Just Received an Adult ADHD Diagnosis. Now What?
- 15 Sensory Toys for Adults With Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety
- Beautiful Stim & Fidget Jewelry for Adults with Anxiety, Autism, & ADHD
- Cuddly Weighted Stuffed Animals for Kids and Adults to Hug
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.
