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Excoriation Disorder, Pediatric

Carol A. Mathews, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Excoriation or skin picking disorder (ExD) is recurrent picking at one’s skin to the point of causing skin lesions or recurrent bleeding. Skin picking causes clinically significant d...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients may present with multiple open skin lesions or partially healed scabs or with concern regarding picking behavior.

  • ExD can be triggered or exacerbated by an underlying dermatol...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Triggers should be identified and minimized with a focus on stress management strategies.

  • Parent and family education about ExD and associated conditions is essential.

  • Cotreatm...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Patients with ExD should be referred to a mental health professional with training in behavioral therapy and, ideally, with experience treating patients with ExD.

  • ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. [View Abstract on OvidInsig...

CODES

ICD9

  • 919.8 Other and unspecified superficial injury of other

  • 698.4 Dermatitis factitia [artefacta]

ICD10

  • F42.4 Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder

  • F63.3 Trichotillomania

  • F50.8 Other eating disorders

SNOMED

FAQ

  • Q: Which patients with skin picking behaviors should be referred for evaluation and treatment?

  • A: Patients with recurrent, multiple skin lesions, recurrent localized infections, or who have distres...

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