Dermatillo-what? Many people have never heard of dermatillomania, while those who live with it know all too well how difficult it can be to stop picking at otherwise healthy skin. So what exactly is dermatillomania, and how do you know if your skin picking has become a problem?
Dermatillomania, also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder, is a condition characterized by repeated or compulsive picking, scratching, squeezing, or rubbing of the skin. People may focus on scabs, blemishes, dry patches, or other areas that feel or look different.
Occasionally picking at a blemish or scab does not necessarily mean you have dermatillomania. The concern is when the behavior becomes difficult to control, repeatedly causes wounds or scarring, or interferes with your daily life. Dermatillomania is a mental health condition, but the repeated picking can have significant effects on the health and appearance of the skin, including bleeding, infection, and scarring.
WHAT CAUSES DERMATILLOMANIA?
There is no single known cause of dermatillomania. Research suggests that a combination of biological, genetic, behavioral, and emotional factors may play a role.
Stress, anxiety, boredom, and other emotional triggers can contribute to picking for some people. Existing skin conditions such as acne or eczema can also create areas of roughness, irritation, or inflammation that become targets for repetitive picking.
Understanding these triggers can be an important part of recognizing the behavior, but dermatillomania should not be self-diagnosed. A qualified healthcare or mental health professional can help determine whether repetitive skin picking is related to dermatillomania or another condition.
IS DERMATILLOMANIA A SKIN DISORDER?
Dermatillomania is considered a mental health condition within the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders category, rather than a primary skin disorder. However, that does not mean the effects on the skin are insignificant.
Repeated picking can reopen wounds, delay healing, increase the risk of infection, and leave behind discoloration or permanent scars. A dermatologist can help evaluate and treat the physical effects of picking while a qualified mental health professional can address the underlying behavior.
For more information about mental health conditions and finding appropriate care, the National Institute of Mental Health offers resources and guidance.
BODY, FACE, AND LIPS
Dermatillomania can involve many areas of the body, including the face, arms, hands, legs, and lips. People may pick at blemishes, scabs, dry skin, peeling areas, or other imperfections.
Simply enjoying the satisfaction of popping a pimple or removing a loose piece of skin does not automatically mean you have dermatillomania. The behavior becomes more concerning when you repeatedly feel unable to stop, continue picking despite wanting to stop, or cause injuries to your skin as a result.
Repeated picking can create open wounds and increase the risk of infection and scarring. The lips can be particularly vulnerable because picking or biting can repeatedly reopen areas that are trying to heal.
If you have persistent dryness, scaling, sores, or other changes that do not improve, it is worth having the area evaluated by a dermatologist rather than repeatedly picking at it. An underlying skin condition may be contributing to the irritation and should be addressed appropriately.
SCALP AND HAIR
Skin picking can also affect the scalp, but it is important to distinguish dermatillomania from trichotillomania, which is a separate body-focused repetitive behavior involving recurrent hair pulling.
Someone with trichotillomania may repeatedly pull hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body. Repeated pulling can lead to hair breakage, thinning, and noticeable areas of hair loss.
If you find yourself repeatedly pulling or plucking your hair and have difficulty stopping, a qualified mental health professional can help determine whether trichotillomania or another condition may be involved. A dermatologist can also evaluate hair loss and rule out other potential causes.
NAILS AND CUTICLE PICKING
You might not think dermatillomania or a related body-focused repetitive behavior applies to you because you primarily pick at your nails or cuticles rather than other areas of your skin.
Repetitive nail biting or picking around the cuticles can cause irritation, bleeding, damaged nails, and inflammation around the nail. Nail biting and other repetitive behaviors can also fall within the broader category of body-focused repetitive behaviors.
Keeping your nails trimmed and finding ways to reduce access to the area may help with the physical damage, but if you repeatedly feel unable to stop, addressing the underlying behavior is important. Otherwise, the same repetitive behavior may continue or shift to another area.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?
If you think you may have dermatillomania, you do not have to figure it out on your own. A qualified mental health professional can evaluate the behavior and discuss appropriate treatment options. Therapy and other treatments can help people manage skin-picking behaviors, while a dermatologist can address wounds, scarring, irritation, discoloration, or other skin concerns caused by repeated picking.
If you have already been diagnosed with dermatillomania and need help addressing its effects on your skin, Supriya Tomar, MD and the team at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology can evaluate your skin and discuss appropriate treatment options. Call 561-805-9399 or email info@okgppwvm.elementor.cloud to schedule a consultation.
