Obsessive-compulsive behaviour related cutaneous ulcers: two cases with therapeutic considerations

Obsessive-compulsive-related cutaneous disease most often includes trichotillomania, neurotic excoriations and nail biting. In this report, we present two cases of self-inflicted severe wounds that were diagnosed as secondary to obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Patients were middle-aged females who presented with deep cutaneous ulcers that were acknowledgedly maintained through repetitive manipulation. Obsessive-compulsive-related cutaneous disease is better treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in higher dosages than those used to treat depression. Both patients were treated with fluoxetine 60-80 mg that resulted in adequate healing of the ulcers; relapses were observed during attempts to taper fluoxetine dosage. An adequate psychic diagnosis is required if an effective therapeutic response to self-inflicted cutaneous lesions is desired, because clinically identical lesions can also be caused as a result of distinct mental mechanisms: anxiety, depression, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder and classic dermatitis artefacta.