Excoriation

Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Excoriation

Articles

Most recent articles on Excoriation

Most cited articles on Excoriation

Review articles on Excoriation

Articles on Excoriation in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Excoriation

Images of Excoriation

Photos of Excoriation

Podcasts & MP3s on Excoriation

Videos on Excoriation

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Excoriation

Bandolier on Excoriation

TRIP on Excoriation

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Excoriation at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Excoriation

Clinical Trials on Excoriation at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Excoriation

NICE Guidance on Excoriation

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Excoriation

CDC on Excoriation

Books

Books on Excoriation

News

Excoriation in the news

Be alerted to news on Excoriation

News trends on Excoriation

Commentary

Blogs on Excoriation

Definitions

Definitions of Excoriation

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Excoriation

Discussion groups on Excoriation

Patient Handouts on Excoriation

Directions to Hospitals Treating Excoriation

Risk calculators and risk factors for Excoriation

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Excoriation

Causes & Risk Factors for Excoriation

Diagnostic studies for Excoriation

Treatment of Excoriation

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Excoriation

International

Excoriation en Espanol

Excoriation en Francais

Business

Excoriation in the Marketplace

Patents on Excoriation

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Excoriation

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


An excoriation is an erosion or destruction of the skin by mechanical means, which appears in the form of a scratch or abrasion of the skin. It is commonly seen in other skin disorders causing itching/pruritus: dry skin, dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, scabies, etc. The condition is characteristic of a symptom of other illnesses like liver failure where pruritus is caused by increases of bilirubin.

The term can be associated with neurotic excoriations. Neurotic excoriations are considered psychiatric in etiology. A patient with neurotic excoriations should try to avoid picking and scratching their skin. Because of this, another diagnosis should be made if the lesions are found on areas where the hands do not make contact. It doesn't exclude the possibility, but makes it less likely. The disorder is typically found among females more than males. Damage is common on the face, neck, back, and extremities, and damage to the skin is generally caused by rubbing, scratching, and picking. Severe itching from other causes may mimic this disorder.

Diagnosis is often made by exclusion and is identified and isolated by bandaging areas affected unless any improvement to the affected area or significant change in behavior is witnessed.

Treatment may include periodic bandaging, psychiatric guidance with life adjustments, lotions with or without menthol and phenol (hopefully to take the place of scratching). Antidepressants may work in patients with neurotic excoriations. Other medications like bedtime antihistamines, antipruritic, sometimes pimozide, or topical corticosteroids are used if there is another reason for the scratching. These are reserved for other conditions and further work up should be pursued.


de:Exkoriation nl:Excoriatie

Template:WH Template:WS