Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
What causes a child to rip off a toenail and pick at it or a fingernail. She will also pick at her skin. Like if she has a scratch or ect on her skin, she will continue picking at the area until it looks aweful. She seems to also like the sight of blood. She doesn’t mark her body up, she tries to keep it hidden. But we will keep an eye on her and find a spot she has picked at too much or she will now pull a toenail off and pick at them or her fingernails.
Thu, 10 May 2018
General & Family Physician, Dr. Varinder's Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Your child needs urgent psychiatrist help and complete assessment, as it may be a symptom of some self-mutilation disorder or some compulsive disorder. She needs medical help.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Varinder Joshi
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What Causes Compulsive Skin Picking In A Child?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Your child needs urgent psychiatrist help and complete assessment, as it may be a symptom of some self-mutilation disorder or some compulsive disorder. She needs medical help. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Varinder Joshi