Dermatitis artefacta: self-inflicted genital injury

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychiatry
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Dermatitis artefacta is a severe factitious disorder characterized by self-inflicted skin lesions.
• It is associated with pseudologia fantastica, sociopathy, and frequent hospitalizations.
• Patients intentionally feign illness to assume the patient role.

Observation:

• A 52-year-old male presented with distinct genital skin lesions resembling pyoderma gangrenosum.
• These lesions appeared three months after a prior clinic discharge.
• The clinical response to treatment and lack of laboratory findings were crucial.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with dermatitis artefacta.
• The case presents a rare instance of pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions in dermatitis artefacta.
• This represents a unique case of self-inflicted genital injury.

Implications:

• Accurate patient history and physical examination are vital for diagnosing obscure, life-threatening conditions.
• Dermatitis artefacta diagnosis requires careful consideration of patient-reported symptoms and clinical findings.
• This case expands the understanding of self-inflicted injuries in factitious disorders.