How Can I Get My Son to Quit Picking His Scabs?

The reason he is picking at his scabs is because they are dry and they itch. Keep them moistened with an antibiotic ointment so that they don't get infected and leave scars and at night wrap them with a gauze where he can't get to them. Kids will do what they have to so that they are not uncomfortable or hurting, others just have a habit that they will have to grow out of. The more attention you place on this issue the more he will do it. Don't nag him about not peeling his scab, when you see him doing it just give him a look don't say anything to him. If no attention is given then the habit usually stops. It has worked for my children. Hope this helps.

Dear J. R -

My son, who is 4.5 years old also had the picking habit, and no matter what I did he continued to do it, until lately. I think what did it was that our pediatrician talked to him. I took his brother to the pediatrician and he came along because he wasn't in pre-K that day, and after the pediatrician had finished examining his brother, I asked her what I could do about the 4 year-old picking his scabs. She talked to him and explained how he could get a bad infection by doing that. Of course I had explained all that to him before but having the doctor back me up seems to have done the trick.

I hope this helps you,
R.

Hi-
My 4 1/2 yo daughter does the same thing. If it's an area that a bandaid won't stay on, I try to keep it moist with Neosporin. My daughter only likes to pick scabs when they're dry; I guess greasy scabs have no appeal! LOL.

She seems to pick at scabs on her knees or elbows more than others when she's watching TV- almost like she doesn't even realize what she's doing.

Hope this helps.
J.

Hi J.

Congratulations on the up coming baby. My husband does the same thing(don't tell him I said that). So when you find the answer please tell me.

J.,
You might try putting that "stop nail biting" stuff on his fingers. I think you can get some that has a form of red pepper in it, that way, when he scratches it will burn. Otherwise, I'm not sure. Good Luck, Jenn

This may sound crewl but if you have tried everything else this is worth a try. Today with MRSA floating around and killing people.... you just can't afford to have open sores anymore.
I would start putting alcohol on it everytime that I see that he has picked or that catch him picking. It will burn a little and then tell him that by picking it can cause an infection and alcohol is the way to get rid of an infection so you will have to put it on there everytime he picks. Maybe he will get tired of the burning and stop picking.
Don't know if it will work on not but it is worth a try.

Maybe this is a little crass but I would try a shock treatment. (not electrical) Show him pictures of impetigo and such things that occur because of bacteria building up in sores. Maybe the thought of the ugly things that can happen will deter him. Then again maybe not. Boys will be boys.