It’s more of a defense mechanism that’s no longer needed. She would get right in there with her nails trying to pop it which was quite painful. After some time if she wasn’t able to get it she would tell me to go to the bathroom and get it out myself, so I learned to get rid of them on my own if I found them so I wouldn’t have to endure her nails in my face.
There is briefly a satisfying release of pressure when it pops, but there is still a lump there so my compulsion keeps trying to pick and squeeze at the lump trying to make it go away. I either keep trying to stop myself, or make it “inaccessible” by putting a band-aid on it.