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Neurotic excoriations.

P R Cyr¹, G K Dreher

¹Department of Family Practice, Maine Medical Center, Portland 04102, USA. cyrp@mail.mmc.org

American Family Physician

|January 5, 2002

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Neurotic excoriations are self-inflicted skin lesions resulting from repetitive scratching, indicating a physical manifestation of emotional distress. Effective treatments involve psychotropic medications and counseling.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Psychiatry
Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

Neurotic excoriations are self-inflicted skin lesions caused by repetitive scratching.
These lesions are not due to an underlying physical skin condition but rather a physical manifestation of emotional distress.
Characterized by linear erosions, scabs, and scars, lesions can present with altered pigmentation.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the clinical characteristics of neurotic excoriations.
To highlight the psychosomatic nature of these skin lesions.
To outline effective treatment modalities for neurotic excoriations.

Main Methods:

Clinical observation and description of lesion morphology.
Assessment of lesion distribution and characteristics.

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Review of treatment outcomes for psychotropic medications and counseling.

Main Results:

Lesions are typically clean, linear erosions, scabs, or scars with potential hypo- or hyperpigmentation.
Lesions are uniform in size and shape, often grouped on accessible, exposed body areas like extremities, face, and upper back.
Psychotropic medications and counseling demonstrated effectiveness in managing the condition.

Conclusions:

Neurotic excoriations represent a psychosomatic disorder requiring a combined dermatological and psychological approach.
Early identification and intervention with appropriate therapies are crucial for managing these self-inflicted skin injuries.
Treatment success is linked to addressing the underlying emotional issues through medication and counseling.