Dermatitis artefacta, also known as Factitious dermatitis, is a form of factitious disorder in which patients will intentionally feign symptoms and produce signs of disease in an attempt to assume the patient role. It is also self-inflicted skin damage, most commonly from prolonged deliberate scratching, but sometimes by means of sharp instruments or another agency.[1]: 391 [2]: 61
The cutaneous lesions that are commonly seen are unusual, resembling numerous recognized inflammatory responses in the skin.[3] When a false history is given, it is typically "hollow," with no explanation of how specific skin lesions that develop on easily accessible areas suddenly become fully formed.[4]
Inducing lesions is a psychological strategy used by the patient to satiate an internal need, most commonly the desire for attention or care. Several psychosocial difficulties, emotional immaturity, unconscious motives, and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships have all been identified as etiological factors.[5][6]
Topical antibiotics may be necessary to treat the skin lesions, but if a serious infection is present, oral antibiotics may also be necessary in certain situations. It is necessary to identify and treat the underlying mental health condition. Medications used frequently include sedatives, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.[4]
^Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN0-07-138076-0.
^James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN978-0-7216-2921-6.
^Verraes-Derancourt, S.; Derancourt, C.; Poot, F.; Heenen, M.; Bernard, P. (2006). "Pathomimie : étude rétrospective de 31 malades". Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie (in French). 133 (3). Elsevier BV: 235–238. doi:10.1016/s0151-9638(06)70886-9. ISSN0151-9638.
^Mohandas, Padma; Ravenscroft, Jane C.; Bewley, Anthony (2018). "Dermatitis artefacta in childhood and adolescence: a spectrum of disease". Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 153 (4). Edizioni Minerva Medica. doi:10.23736/s0392-0488.18.06019-4. ISSN2784-8671.
^Krooks, J. A.; Weatherall, A. G.; Holland, P. J. (2017-11-05). "Review of epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of common primary psychiatric causes of cutaneous disease". Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 29 (4). Informa UK Limited: 418–427. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1395389. ISSN0954-6634.
