Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a rare and challenging-to-diagnose factitious dermatological disorder, most commonly affecting late adolescents and young adults. This case report presents a 17-year-old girl with a history of unexplained linear lesions on her face and abdomen persisting for 11 months, leading to significant school absenteeism. The dermatological examination was otherwise unremarkable except for multiple well-defined excoriations, erosions, and scarring, suggestive of DA. Dermoscopic examination supported this diagnosis, showing characteristic features. The patient was treated with N-acetyl cysteine and referred for psychiatric evaluation, highlighting the intricate nature of managing DA, particularly in young individuals who may have underlying psychological distress. The case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosing and treating DA, given its overlap with other neuropsychiatric and dermatological disorders.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68682
Authors: Manavi Gupta, Apoorva Sharma, Muthu Sendhil Kumaran
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402283751