Volume : II, Issue : VIII, August - 2013

Dermatitis Artefacta (Factitious Dermatitis) – A Study of 12 Cases

Dr. Mayuri Shah

Abstract :

Dermatitis artefacta is a Psychocutaneous disorder defined as the deliberate and conscious production of self inflicted skin lesions to satisfy an unconscious emotional or psychological need .During routine checkup of patients there is no clue for correct diagnosis as their hematological investigations and histological examination of skin lesions are usually negative . In present study, over a six months period ,12 patients were diagnosed with dermatitis artefacta at Vraj psychiatric hospital, Ahmedabad during routine outpatient psychiatric consultation. Out of 12 patients, 7 patients directly came to hospital with associated skin lesions and 5 patients were referred by dermatologist for psychological Assessment to identify underlying psychopathologic factors . The 12 patients compromised 10 females and 2 males aged 15- 40 years. Dermatitis artefacta in the male was probably caused for secondary gains. Out of 8 females, 2 females were married and 7 females were unmarried aged 12- 30 years . Almost all females had underlying severe emotional or psychological problems .The diagnosis were based on vagueness of history given by the patients and presence of bizarre skin lesions distributed over the sites accessible to patients - face, neck , hands and legs . Routine investigations were done to exclude possibility of other diseases. ALL patients were treated as outdoor patients.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Dr. Mayuri Shah Dermatitis Artefacta (Factitious Dermatitis) – A Study of 12 Cases International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 2, Issue : 8 August 2013

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