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Onychotillomania: Diagnosis and Management
Pierre Halteh1, Richard K Scher1, Shari R Lipner2
1Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
|May 11, 2017
Summary
Onychotillomania, or self-induced nail trauma, affects nearly 1% of people and can cause permanent nail damage. Current treatments lack strong evidence, posing a challenge for clinicians.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Psychiatry
- Nail Disorders
Background:
- Onychotillomania involves self-inflicted nail trauma through picking or pulling.
- It affects 0.9% of the population and can result in irreversible nail dystrophy, melanonychia, and infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence, diagnostic criteria, etiology, and clinical findings of onychotillomania.
- To summarize current treatment modalities and pathological features.
- To highlight the clinical challenge posed by the lack of evidence-based treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of prevalence, diagnosis, etiology, and treatments for onychotillomania.
- Analysis of case reports on therapeutic benefits.
- Examination of pathological features and clinical presentation.
Main Results:
- Onychotillomania affects 0.9% of the population.
- Potential consequences include nail dystrophy, melanonychia, and infections.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, physical barriers, and pharmacotherapy show promise in case reports.
Conclusions:
- Onychotillomania is a complex condition with significant potential for nail damage.
- While some treatments show promise, there are no evidence-based guidelines.
- It presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for multiple medical specialties.
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