From the Research
Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for Treating Dermatillomania (Skin Picking Disorder)
- NAC has been studied as a potential treatment for skin picking disorder, with some studies suggesting its effectiveness 1, 2.
- A randomized clinical trial found that NAC treatment was associated with significant improvements in skin-picking symptoms, as measured by the modified Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (NE-YBOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale 1.
- Another study found that NAC treatment resulted in significant reductions in skin-picking symptoms in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition often characterized by skin picking behavior 2.
- However, a more recent study found that NAC provided limited efficacy as a treatment option for skin picking in Prader-Willi syndrome, with only 6 out of 14 patients showing improvement in symptoms 3.
- NAC has also been found to have antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation of Gram-positive skin pathogens, which could be beneficial in preventing infections associated with skin picking 4.
- A case report suggests that NAC supplementation may be a safe and effective treatment option for skin picking disorder, although more research is needed to confirm its efficacy 5.
Key Findings
- NAC may be effective in reducing skin-picking symptoms in some individuals, particularly those with Prader-Willi syndrome 1, 2.
- However, the efficacy of NAC for skin picking disorder may be limited, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and drawbacks 3.
- NAC has antimicrobial properties that could be beneficial in preventing infections associated with skin picking 4.
- Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of NAC as a treatment option for skin picking disorder and to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent for other body-focused repetitive behaviors 5.