Excoriation, also known as skin picking disorder, acne excoriee, or dermatillomania, is a mental health condition in which a person compulsively picks at their skin, causing injuries or scarring. It is a type of body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB), which are repetitive behaviors that are harmful to the body. Other BFRBs include hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and nail biting.
Excoriation disorder can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in adolescents and young adults. It is estimated that up to 5% of the population has excoriation disorder.
The exact cause of excoriation disorder is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with a family history of OCD or other anxiety disorders are more likely to develop excoriation disorder. Stress, anxiety, and boredom can trigger skin picking episodes.
The symptoms of excoriation disorder include:
- Recurrent picking at the skin, even when there is no medical reason to do so
- Picking at healthy skin, as well as minor skin irregularities (e.g., pimples or calluses)
- Picking at open wounds, blisters, scabs, or other types of lesions
- Difficulty controlling the urge to pick
- Picking to the point of causing pain or bleeding
- Embarrassment or shame about the picking behavior
- Attempts to hide the picking behavior from others
- Significant distress or impairment caused by the picking behavior
Excoriation disorder can have a number of negative consequences, including:
- Skin infections
- Scarring
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
There is no cure for excoriation disorder, but there are a number of treatments that can help to manage the symptoms. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy and medication.
Therapy can help people to understand the underlying causes of their picking behavior and develop coping mechanisms to manage their urges. There are a number of different types of therapy that can be helpful for excoriation disorder, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and habit reversal training (HRT).
Medication can help to reduce the urges to pick and improve mood. The most commonly used medications for excoriation disorder are antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Acne excoriee, or excoriation, is a critical concern in skincare and beauty, as it can lead to long-lasting or even permanent scarring, particularly on the faces of younger clients. One of the most effective treatments for this condition is the use of acne patches. These patches not only aid in healing acne but also prevent clients from picking at their blemishes. Often, individuals unconsciously pick at their acne during the night or when they are not fully aware of their actions.