Occupational dermatitis artefacta: a clinical case in a flight attendant

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

• Dermatitis artefacta is a psychosomatic disorder involving self-inflicted skin lesions.
• Patients often deny direct involvement and are unaware of the psychosomatic cause.

Observation:

• A case of a flight attendant presented with symmetrically located hypertrophic scars on both upper arms.
• The patient reported chronic itching at the lesion sites, with relief only from forceful scratching.

Findings:

• Exclusion of other dermatological disorders was crucial for diagnosis.
• The clinical presentation and history led to the diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering psychosomatic etiologies in unexplained dermatological conditions.
• Recognizing self-inflicted skin lesions is vital for appropriate patient management and treatment.
• Further research into the psychological triggers and management strategies for dermatitis artefacta is warranted.