Affected Regions
Excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder, often leads individuals to focus on incessantly picking at a specific area of their body. While the face is the most frequently targeted region, other areas such as the arms, legs, gums, neck, shoulders, scalp, or chest may also become the subject of their compulsive picking. In some cases, individuals may even direct their picking behavior towards their fingernails, toenails, or cuticles. Once an area has suffered substantial damage due to picking, individuals may then shift their attention to another area while allowing the initial site to heal.
Complications of Excoriation Disorder
Excoriation disorder, if left untreated, can lead to a range of serious complications. The repetitive picking and scratching can increase the risk of developing infections, which in turn can cause tissue damage and potentially lead to sepsis. There have even been documented cases where individuals with severe excoriation disorder required skin grafts to repair the extensive damage.
In some extreme cases, excoriation disorder can become life-threatening. One such case involved a 48-year-old woman who picked at her neck to the point of exposing her carotid artery. Additionally, individuals suffering from this disorder often develop severe scars and other blemishes as a result of their compulsive picking habits.
Another consequence of excoriation disorder is the significant back and neck pain that can arise from the physical positions individuals must contort themselves into to satisfy their picking impulses.