Overview
Skin picking
Dermatillomania, also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder, is a mental health condition where individuals compulsively pick or scratch their skin, leading to injuries or scarring. Classified under obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs), dermatillomania can significantly impact a person’s mental health, well-being, and quality of life (DermNet NZ, 2024; Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Defining Dermatillomania
Dermatillomania (pronounced derm-ah-till-oh-main-ee-ah) derives from three Greek words:
- Derma: Skin.
- Tillo: Pulling or picking.
- Mania: Excessive behavior or activity.
Individuals with dermatillomania exhibit repetitive skin-picking behaviors, often resulting in open sores, bleeding, and scarring. This condition can target normal skin variations like freckles and moles, pre-existing defects such as scabs, sores, acne, or even imagined imperfections. The compulsive nature of this disorder can involve using fingernails, teeth, or tools like tweezers and pins.
