‘Look Beyond Skin’: Psychogenic Excoriation - A Series of Five Cases
The father of the girl (Case 3) is a 43-year-old man who also reported scratching of fore arms and legs of 13 years duration.\nDermatological examination revealed excoriations and hyperpigmentation over legs and forearms []. A detailed evaluation revealed alcohol dependence for the past 20 years. He used to consume alcohol daily and had quarrels with his wife in front of children. 4 sessions of habit reversal was taught. Alcohol dependence and inter personal conflicts with wife were dealt with. The psychiatrist started him on oral dothiepin 25 mg/day and topical anti-bacterial cream was given for skin lesions.\nAlcohol dependence continued at 6 month follow-up and he was taken up for motivation enhancement therapy. He claimed adherence to the behavioral techniques taught but his skin lesions did not improve much and he also developed new lesions.