DoI have it?

A person withdermatillomania will habitually and excessively pick, scratch, gouge or squeeze at otherwise healthy skin.

Theyusually pick at the skin on their face and lips, but it can be any area of the body, such as the hands, scalp or arms.

They may pick at normal skin features such as freckles or moles, or at imaginary skin defects that no-one else can see.

They might pick with their fingernails, or use tools such as pins or tweezers.The result is often bleeding or bruising, which carries a risk of infection and scars.

Emotions

A person with dermatillomania will experience intense emotions as part of their compulsion.

It's typical toexperiencean intense urge to pick the skin, with increasing tension until they do. After picking, there is a sense of relief.

Dermatillomania can cause negative feelings, such as guilt, shameand embarrassment.It's common to try to deny it or cover up the skin with make-up.

A person withdermatillomaniamay feel unattractive and develop low self-esteem, avoiding others.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018