(HealthDay News) -- If you cannot stop picking at scabs or bumps, you may have a condition called skin picking disorder (SPD).

The urge to pick at the skin affects at least 5 million Americans, says Harvard Medical School.

To tackle the issue, the school suggests:

• Know your triggers. It can help a doctor decide which treatment to pursue.
• Make it more difficult to pick by keeping your nails short or wearing gloves.
• Distract your hands with silly putty, a stress ball or fidget toy.
• Consider therapy.