It's called "dermatillomania". I have it too. I have mild acne and I compulsively pick at the zits long past the point after they've popped, basically picking at them till they bleed and scab, then picking the scabs.The scabs on my face are unsightly and it leads people to ask "what happened to your face?" (Unfortunately the last place I picked at on my face has left a large scar, which I feel self-conscious about.) Sometimes I also get minor infections from picking at my zits. I got one on my shoulder a couple of days ago and it was bad enough to hurt when my shirt touched it and caused me to feel run-down.
Something that helps me not to pick at my skin is using hydrogen peroxide on my zits. It heals minor zits almost overnight, and causes the ones that have turned into sores from picking, and especially the ones that are starting to become infected, to fizz and bubble. To me, that is just as satisfying as if I had been picking them. Ever since I started using hydrogen peroxide, I have noticed that the reduce to pick has been significantly reduced and my skin is finally clear.
oooh I didn't notice this post before. Maybe I'll try the hydrogen peroxide on my acne and scabs.