Dermatitis artefacta in a child

Pediatr Dermatol. 2007 Sep-Oct;24(5):E51-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2007.00441.x.

Abstract

The high visibility of dermatologic diseases and their easy accessibility make the skin a primary and direct target for dysfunctional behaviors. Self-harm tendencies can frequently be expressed through dermatologic lesions, and dermatitis artefacta falls within this clinical frame. The occurrence of this cutaneous manifestation in children is very rare, with a peak of greater frequency in adolescence. We describe the characteristics of a multidisciplinary intervention-dermatologic and psychologic. Our pediatric patient displays a dermatologic picture that has no etiologic confirmation. The source of this disorder must therefore be found in socio-relational difficulties within the family and school environments, which lead the patient to self-harm behaviors that have a high communication value.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dermatitis / etiology*
  • Dermatitis / psychology*
  • Dermatitis / therapy
  • Factitious Disorders / psychology*
  • Factitious Disorders / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Psychology, Child*
  • Schools
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / therapy