Update on Pathological Skin Picking

Overview

Journal Curr Psychiatry Rep

Publisher Current Science

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2009 Jul 29

PMID 19635236

Citations 4

Authors

Jon E Grant

Brian L Odlaug

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Pathological skin picking (PSP) is a disabling disorder characterized by repetitive picking of the skin that causes tissue damage. Estimated to affect 2% to 5.4% of the population, PSP is currently listed as an impulse control disorder not otherwise specified. However, the repetitive and compulsive behaviors seen in PSP are phenomenologically and clinically similar to the behaviors seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder and other body-focused repetitive behaviors, such as trichotillomania and pathological nail biting. Animal neuroimaging research in related disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and trichotillomania provides useful information for understanding PSP. Recent cognitive testing of individuals with PSP demonstrated impaired inhibitory control; these findings may assist in the proper characterization of PSP and aid in the development of effective treatment options. Although the disorder is common, appropriate treatments for PSP are limited. Pharmacotherapeutic and certain cognitive-behavioral interventions have demonstrated promise in treating this disorder and need to be explored further.

Citing Articles

Exploring skin picking disorder: aetiology, treatment, and future directions.

Alfahaad H, Aldehri M, Alsaiari S, Asiri F, Alfataih M, Alahmari S Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2025; 41(6):545-551.

PMID: 39877116 PMC: 11770568. DOI: 10.5114/ada.2024.142579.

Microbial Reprogramming in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Review of Gut-Brain Communication and Emerging Evidence.

Bendriss G, MacDonald R, McVeigh C Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(15).

PMID: 37569349 PMC: 10419219. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511978.

Prevalence and gender distribution of excoriation (skin-picking) disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Farhat L, Reid M, Bloch M, Olfson E J Psychiatr Res. 2023; 161:412-418.

PMID: 37023597 PMC: 11137851. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.034.

Trichotillomania as a Manifestation of Dementia.

Paholpak P, Mendez M Case Rep Psychiatry. 2016; 2016:9782702.

PMID: 27840761 PMC: 5093278. DOI: 10.1155/2016/9782702.

A near fatal case of pathological skin picking.

Kim D, Garrison R, Thompson G Am J Case Rep. 2013; 14:284-7.

PMID: 23919102 PMC: 3731172. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.889357.

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