Skin picking disorder (dermatomania or excoriation) and autoimmune diseases often go together. Skin picking involves the urge to pick, scratch, rub, pull, or rub the skin. It can continue beyond the stage of causing pain and sores to becoming a serious problem.
For some people with autoimmune diseases, skin picking can become a habit and a sign of a mental health disorder.
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other name
Skin picking disorder has several names:
Dermatomania Nervous abrasion Nervous picking Psychogenic abrasion
excoriation
Exfoliation disorder is a medical term that describes a condition where the skin is picked away. Also known as a skin enthusiast. People with this condition pick at their skin to the point that it can cause bleeding and other skin damage.
Research suggests that skin picking is associated with certain mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can also occur in autoimmune diseases.
Why does peeling feel good?
It is not completely understood why peeling is satisfying for some people. The response can be tactile (the feel or texture of the skin), cognitive (inaccurate thoughts or beliefs about the need to pick), or emotional (an outlet for unpleasant emotions or psychological stress) .
Autoimmune diseases associated with skin picking
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes healthy tissue for pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and attacks it. Autoimmune diseases that cause skin problems are often associated with skin picking.
Although each disease targets different tissues, many have similar symptoms and affect the skin in some way. Skin-related autoimmune diseases associated with skin picking include:
Some studies suggest that itching is a persistent symptom of many autoimmune connective tissue diseases and is under-recognized and under-treated. This can make your skin more susceptible to abrasions.
Other causes
Other conditions that can cause skin picking include:
Signs and symptoms of skin picking disorder
Symptoms of skin picking disorder include:
Repeated attempts to stop repetitive skin picking that leads to skin lesions Significant pain or disability from picking The urge to pick or the physical tension relieved by picking Abnormal sensations (bumps, pain, etc.) certain spots) beliefs about how skin should look and feel
To be diagnosed with skin picking disorder, your symptoms must be explained by another mental illness and not caused by another medical condition, skin condition, or substance (such as a drug).
Effects and complications of skin picking disorder
People with skin-picking disorder often pick at multiple locations on their body, which can change over time. They try to hide the scars caused by picking with makeup and clothing.
This disorder can also lead to people avoiding situations such as swimming, wearing shorts, or being intimate because they feel embarrassed or don’t want others to know. Some people hide this condition from their health care provider.
Medically, skin picking can cause the following symptoms:
Open wound infection Scabbing and scarring Skin discoloration
Emotionally, it can lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety disorders.
Prevalence of skin picking disorder
Research suggests that approximately 3% of people currently or have suffered from skin-picking disorder in the past. People with excoriation disorders are significantly more likely to be female.
Treatment of skin picking disorder
Treatment of autoimmune-related skin picking disorders requires multiple approaches.
Treatment of autoimmune diseases
It is important to treat autoimmune diseases. This can help reduce the symptoms that caused the skin picking in the first place.
Treatments for autoimmune diseases vary depending on the disease, but include the following:
Immunosuppressants or immunomodulators Anti-inflammatory drugs Painkillers Hormone therapy (type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) Arthritis medications (biologics and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) Dietary supplements Healthy diet Adequate exercise and Activities Physical therapy, massage and other complementary therapies
Treatment of skin damage
Damage caused by skin picking can be treated by:
Antibiotics treat infections. Healing can be promoted with compresses, bandages, topical retinoids, and topical steroids. Scars can be removed with cosmetic procedures.
mental health treatment
Stopping picking behavior usually requires mental health treatment. Treatments that may be effective include:
Break the habit of peeling
Skin picking disorder may come and go over time, but it rarely goes away without effort.
There are several steps you can take to break your skin-picking habit. Whether it’s due to dry skin, itchy skin, boredom, stress relief, blemishes, or any other cause, you need to understand what makes you want to choose it. It can help you change your habits or seek proper treatment.
It can also be difficult to pick. This strategy is called stimulus control. This may involve things like:
Keep your nails extremely short Wear long-sleeved shirts Wear gloves when there is a possibility of picking Distract your hands with stress balls, silly putty, or fidget toys
prevention
As awareness of skin picking in autoimmune diseases increases, healthcare professionals may begin to look for skin picking on a regular basis. This may help prevent it or detect it early.
By recognizing early symptoms and seeking medical help, you can prevent the disease from developing and also prevent complications.
Once treatment is successful, you can prevent it from happening again by following your treatment plan, monitoring yourself for any return of symptoms or habits, and talking to your health care team if you have any concerns.
summary
Skin picking disorder is associated with several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, MS, and type 1 diabetes. Skin picking disorder involves the urge to pick, scratch, rub, or pull at the skin and the inability to stop these behaviors. Treatment typically includes medications for autoimmune diseases, wound care, and mental health interventions.