What is excoriations of the skin?
Excoriation disorder (also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at one’s own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in one’s life.
What causes excoriations to occur?
People may pick their skin for various reasons. Some may feel compelled to remove perceived imperfections, while others pick in response to stress, boredom, or out of habit. In many ways, skin picking disorder is a repetitive or obsessive grooming behavior similar to other BFRBs, such as hair pulling and nail picking.
What type of lesion is an excoriation?
Excoriation of the skin refers to lesions on the surface of the skin, following a trauma. The blood and fluids that emerge from the surface form a thin crust, resulting in a skin lesion.
How is excoriation treated?
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder is treated with a variety of psychotropic medications. Attempts to treat it with a variety of psychotropic medication classes include antipsychotic agents, antianxiety agents, antidepressant agents, topical cortisone agents, and antiepileptic agents.
Why can’t I stop picking my scabs?
If you can’t stop picking your skin, you may have a very common condition called skin picking disorder (SPD). We all pick at a scab or a bump from time to time, but for those with SPD, it can be nearly impossible to control those urges.
What is the difference between excoriation and maceration?
Excoriation: Linear erosion of skin tissue resulting from mechanical means. Maceration: The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture.
What is dermatitis Artefacta?
Dermatitis artefacta is defined as the deliberate and conscious production of self-inflicted skin lesions to satisfy an unconscious psychological or emotional need. Patients with this condition require both dermatologic assessment and psychosocial support.
Can a dermatologist help with excoriation?
Cold calling Dermatologists and questioning them on what they know about Dermatillomania or utilizing the same strategy but in person can both be effective. The goal is to locate one of the 10 percent who gets it, or find a dermatologist who is at least open to learn about skin picking disorder.
How do you know if you have xerosis?
Signs of Xerosis Abnormally dry, itchy, scaly skin, especially on the arms and legs. Skin that feels extremely tight. Moderate flaky skin. Red or pink irritated skin.