This is common in those with dementia and a symptom of anxiety or the person may actually think there are insects to take care of. You may want to try a fidget blanket actually made for those with Alzheimer's.I
Dementia patients are not 'purposely trying to hurt themselves' when they pick at their skin. It's OCD related behavior; not conscious, or intentional, just something they do as a response to anxiety. My aunt, for instance, with advanced Alzheimer's Disease, ran her fingers through the sides of her hair repeatedly, over and over, to the point she was bald in channels, and had bloody scabs in those channels, and still she repeated that movement due to anxiety over the fact that her husband had passed. She could not vocalize her upset over his death and her loss, or say how badly she missed him, so she repeated this action in much the same way a baby or a toddler might rock back & forth to soothe himself.
Speak to your loved one's doctor about mild calming medication such as Ativan to see if it helps. There are other meds specifically geared towards OCD behaviors that may work as well.
Although pathological skin-picking has been documented in the medical literature since the 19th century, it has only recently been included as a distinct entity in psychiatric classification systems. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder (ED), also known as neurotic excoriation, psychogenic excoriation, or dermatillomania), is described as recurrent picking of skin, leading to skin lesions and significant distress or functional impairment. ED is listed as one of the obsessive–compulsive and related disorders.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dementia+activity+blanket&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0I7ymqas_AIVTxZMCh3J-g-REAAYASAAEgJ0qPD_BwE&hvadid=616988684144&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9028940&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8446685107249666177&hvtargid=kwd-311226596595&hydadcr=11890_13375823&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_y1lgnbvv2_e
Speak to your loved one's doctor about mild calming medication such as Ativan to see if it helps. There are other meds specifically geared towards OCD behaviors that may work as well.
Best of luck.
Although pathological skin-picking has been documented in the medical literature since the 19th century, it has only recently been included as a distinct entity in psychiatric classification systems. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder (ED), also known as neurotic excoriation, psychogenic excoriation, or dermatillomania), is described as recurrent picking of skin, leading to skin lesions and significant distress or functional impairment. ED is listed as one of the obsessive–compulsive and related disorders.
There may be medication for it. Ask the doctor.