What is the medical term for skin picking?

From the Guidelines

The medical term for skin picking is excoriation disorder, also known as dermatillomania. This condition is characterized by recurrent picking of one's skin, leading to tissue damage, and is classified as a mental health condition related to obsessive-compulsive disorder in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 1. The key features of excoriation disorder include:

• Recurrent skin picking leading to skin lesions
• Unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop the behavior
• The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder or medical condition Treatment typically involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly habit reversal training, and sometimes medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine or sertraline 1. For immediate management, people can use barrier methods like bandages, gloves, or fidget toys to prevent picking, and keep nails short to minimize damage. It's essential to understand that excoriation disorder is a recognized medical condition rather than simply a bad habit, and seeking help is crucial for those affected 1. In some cases, excoriation disorder may be related to other conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, and a thorough risk assessment is necessary to identify potential self-harm or suicidal behaviors 1.

From the Research

Medical Term for Skin Picking

The medical term for skin picking is:

• Excoriation disorder
• Dermatillomania
• Psychogenic skin excoriations
• Skin-picking disorder 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Classification

Skin picking disorder is classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) 2, 3, 4

Characteristics

Skin picking disorder is characterized by:

• Recurrent picking of skin, leading to skin lesions and significant distress or functional impairment 4
• Awareness of the self-destructive behavior, but feeling unable to stop it despite repeated attempts 5
• Common triggers include stress and the texture of the skin 6
• Often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders 2, 3, 6

Treatment Options

Treatment options for skin picking disorder include:

• Behavioral therapy, such as habit reversal or acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy 4
• Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or N-acetyl cysteine 2, 4
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 3