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I was just reading this article and I think I may have this. It's something I have done most of my life, picking at scabs mostly, I grew up with infantile eczema. But over the last few years I have done it compulsively. I have scars on my arms and shins from it, I have a horrible scab in my ear that I pick every night, for the last 3 years. My husband says it looks gross but I just cannot help it, it gives me pleasure to pick it. If I'm not picking at it I pick at the skin around my nails or pull at skin on my lips. (I know I'm grim) I try to keep my hands busy to avoid it and even resort to sitting on my hands sometimes. I thought it may have been linked to restless leg syndrome, I did read it can happen in the arms. It is always at night that I pick, now I'm thinking it is the picking that is the problem not that it is from restlessness in my arms. Coming across this article is eye opening for me! http://www.slam.nhs.uk/patients-and-carers/patient-information/patient-stories/liz#.UZZWf2cMJ1g.facebook