How do I get my dad to stop picking and scratching until he bleeds?

Many people with dementia seem to pickat their skin, especially if some little thing attracts them. My mother-in-law did this. We had to take her watch away because she'd pick under the band and then it would get infected. The nurses were at their wits end with that. They kept each little sore bandaged so she couldn't pick what she'd started, but it was a challenge.
Since other obsessived behaviors often occur with Alzhiemer's, likely this is related.
Anxiety can causing picking behavior as well as behaviors like tearing up tissues. What to do? If medications can't help anxiety and the doctor doesn't have any other suggestions, I guess we just try to stay on top of it. It's tough.
Carol

My Mom does the same thing. This started after about 1 1/2 years on meds (Aricept, namenda and seroquel) thought that that was the problem at first then, dermatologist tryed meds for itching, pills and cream, that helped a bit but he thinks it's an obsession. I then thought it was lack of vitamin D due to the fact she hasn't seen sun since it began. In NH it's hard to tell how much is really being done about it. Eventhough I am there alot. I got expensive cream and body wash and seemed pointless.

I agree with Carol and wonder if an old timey thing like socks on his hand when he goes to sleep would help?

HURRAY!!! I am happy to say after my suggestion to the head nurse at NH to check Mom's vitamin D levels the scratching has stopped. I knew it she always overdosed on icecream and sun. So her body must have been in D withdrawal. Her skin is soft and smooth like butter now. Funny thing though she was always a nail bitter and now she's got nails and no blood under them. Guess she was so busy scratching she forgot she bites her nails.