Habitual arm picking creating open sores

My Husband does the same. I have found preparation H cream works best for the areas he itches. I out bandages on the serious tears. Periodically I will give him an antihistamine and that seems to help reset his system and calm the itching. Itching creates more itching and this seems to break the cycle.

you might try mittens similar to what is used for new born infants that will often scratch themselves badly. At least in her sleep they may work.

PS: look for fidget toys or blankets. You might try a life like baby doll. https://www.alzstore.com/alzheimers-baby-doll-therapy-newborn-p/0531.htm?srsltid=AfmBOopVvoUKNbM1UGjfxCRzH7S9lWbUAD6WeKimYhdtUcWb1qBQhYoI

Hi. Maybe check with a dermatologist. A family member with Alzheimer’s did this when her skin was dry, and it itched constantly. The dermatologist prescribed medication that stopped it. We were also told that hot showers were drying out her skin.

@Gator1976

I am so sorry you are dealing with this.

Picking is not uncommon in PWD. I used to moderate a forum for parents of kids with ASD. Picking was a very common behavior among them as well.

Strategies that were often effective for picking:

Often the urge to scratch is cause by dry skin which is common in the elderly especially during winter heating season. You can combat it be maintaining good hydration (drinking water) and using a humidifier as well. OTC Skin creams that contain 1% Pramoxine Hydrochloride can help dial back the itch and won't further thin the skin as a hydrocortisone will.

Once you're dealing with scabs, the goal is keeping them sores moist and inaccessible while they heal. This will require some sort of ointment to prevent the kind of dried out scab that creates a "pulling" sensation that can lead to picking and covering it up. Bandages work for some folks, but others need to use clothing of some kind over the bandages to protect them. A compression tee or compression sleeves can be good for this. Many people with sensory issues/anxiety respond well to gentle compression btw.

Distraction and keeping hands busy can help. Fidget objects, folding tea towels, activity aprons are options. With my son who had a scab he worried on his ear for almost 2 years, what helped was an SSRI and distraction with glue/ non-toxic adhesive I could paint on his palm and let him pick at safely. Anecdotally, DS's psychiatrist says he find Zoloft the best of the SSRIs for OCD-like picking.

HB

Our dermatologist did tell us not to use benedryl. He did suggest Claritin or Zyrtec. So I bought Zyrtec. At this point he takes 1-2 pills at the most in a month. I did not know about Zyrtec, so thank you.