Excoriation

Excoriation disorder is characterized by the recurrent, compulsive picking of skin, leading to skin lesions. A growing body of evidence emphasizes its prevalence and possible disabling nature, including medical complications such as localized infections and septicemia. Neurocognitive data support the idea that individuals with this disorder have difficulty inhibiting motor behaviors. Excoriation disorder is often considered a chronic disorder, fluctuating in intensity and severity. Important differentials include the use of stimulant drugs and dermatologic conditions, such as scabies. This review contains 1 table, and 16 references. Key words: diagnostic and statistical manual, excoriation, obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, skin picking