Artifact dermatitis

What is it dermatitis artifact?

Dermatitis artefacta is a condition in which skin lesions are produced or inflicted solely by the patient's own actions. This usually occurs as a result or manifestation of a psychological problem. It could be a form of emotional release in distressful situations or part of attention-seeking behavior. In very rare cases, there may be an underlying attempt to secure an insurance claim.

The condition is also known as factitious dermatitis.

Who is at risk?

Dermatitis artefacta occurs more commonly in women than in men. Affected women are usually in their teens or early adulthood and tend to be emotionally immature or have psychosocial or interpersonal difficulty. Patient intelligence varies, but many have some superficial medical knowledge.

Characteristics of dermatitis artefacta.

Patients present lesions that are difficult to recognize and do not fit the known ones. skin disease. Characteristics of dermatitis artefacta include:

• The lesions often have strange shapes with irregular contours on a linear or geometric pattern.
• The lesions are usually clearly demarcated around normal skin.
• The appearance of the lesions varies depending on the methods used to damage the skin.
• Lesions range from red spots, swelling, blisters, bare areas, scabs, cuts, burns and scars.
• Injuries can be caused by a variety of mechanical or chemical means, including fingernails, sharp or blunt objects, burning cigarettes, and caustic chemicals.
• It is sometimes difficult to distinguish dermatitis artefacta from natural diseases, particularly if the inflicted lesions mimic those with a pathological cause.
• The lesions do not evolve gradually, but emerge almost overnight without any prior signs or symptoms.
• They are usually located in places that are easily accessible to the patient's hands, e.g. face, hands, arms or legs.
• The patient will usually deny that the eruption It is self-induced

Artifact dermatitis

What treatment is available?

When dermatitis artefacta is suspected, direct confrontation should be avoided. Instead, the doctor must create an environment of acceptance, empathy and non-judgment. It is hoped that close supervision and symptomatic care of skin lesions will lead to a doctor-patient relationship into which psychological problems can gradually be introduced. If appropriate, psychiatric Referral may be recommended, although it is often refused.

Resolution of the current underlying psychological problem will bring a cure for the time being, but dermatitis artefacta tends to wax and wane with the circumstances of the patient's life. To minimize the occurrence of dermatitis artefacta, a patient should continue to visit their doctor on an ongoing basis for supervision or support, whether lesions are present or not.