Pathologic grooming behavior: facial dermatillomania

Dermatillomania is a pathologic grooming disorder characterized by repetitive, ritualistic, impulsive skin picking without an underlying dermatologic condition. It can lead to skin damage and distress and can affect patient function. This disorder has not received much attention in the literature, with few studies reporting treatment efficacy. Patients with dermatillomania typically present to primary care physicians and frequently are referred to dermatologists; only rarely do patients receive additional psychiatric consultation that may improve treatment efficacy and decrease morbidity. We provide a case report of long-standing facial dermatillomania and our multimodal treatment approach.