Why does dermatillomania happen?

It's not known what causes dermatillomania, but there are several theories.

Some experts thinkit is a type of addiction . The more you pick your skin, the more you want to keep doing it.

Dermatillomania may bea reflection of a mental health problem. Psychological and behavioural theories suggest thatskin pickingmay be a way of relieving stress or anxiety .

In some cases,dermatillomania may be a form of Self-harm , where you deliberately injureyourself as a way of seeking temporary relief from emotional distress.

Anothervery similardisorder is trichotillomania where a person compulsivelypulls theirhair out. It's not uncommon for someone to have OCD and to both compulsively pick at their skin and pull their hair out.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018