Work

Dermatitis Artefacta in a 38-Year-Old Female with Coexisting Anxiety Disorder: A Diagnostic Challenge and the Importance of Multidisciplinary Management

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a psychocutaneous disorder characterized by self-inflicted skin lesions and frequently associated with underlying psychological distress. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with recurrent erythema, papules, exudation, and severe pruritus involving the head and neck for over one year. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with atopic dermatitis and treated with immunosuppressive therapy, partly due to overlapping clinical features and the presence of peripheral eosinophilia, which was misinterpreted as evidence of allergic inflammation. Further evaluation revealed significant comorbid anxiety, and the diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta was established based on clinical morphology, disease course, behavioral features, and response to combined dermatological and psychiatric management. This case highlights how nonspecific laboratory abnormalities, such as eosinophilia, may contribute to diagnostic delay and inappropriate treatment escalation if psychocutaneous disorders are not considered. Early recognition of dermatitis artefacta and timely integration of psychological assessment are essential to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary immunosuppressive therapy in patients with atypical or treatment-refractory dermatoses.

Source: Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s587040

Authors: Jue Wang, Xinyu Zhou, Xinlong Chen

Institution: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836