In an article published in The Conversation, experts detailed the potential risks of dermatillomania. They noted that dermatillomania involves obsessive skin picking. Individuals with the condition often focus on pigmented spots or other blemishes on the skin; however, some also pick at unblemished skin with their nails, teeth, or sharp objects either as a conscious or unconscious habit, leading to progressive skin damage that can disrupt the normal wound healing process and cause scarring. Further, those with comorbid dermatologic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne can exacerbate their lesions; the experts stressed that wounds that remain open for longer periods of time are more susceptible to infections. In related disorders, such as trichotillomania and trichophagia, individuals may exhibit obsessive behaviors involving the picking or eating of hair. Dermatologists assessing patients with dermatillomania or related disorders may attempt to identify triggers for their skin picking—including boredom, anxiety, or depression—in order to devise appropriate treatment strategies. The experts recommended that individuals with dermatillomania use handheld devices such as stress balls or fidget toys to distract from skin-picking behaviors, wear gloves or hats to provide a barrier to the skin, and seek medical treatment or cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health issues in more severe cases.
March 20, 2024