‘Look Beyond Skin’: Psychogenic Excoriation - A Series of Five Cases
A 14-year-old girl studying in 10th standard reported itching and scratching on the shin for three years which gradually involved other parts of the body like hands, face, neck, chest and abdomen. The scratching increased during her leisure time.\nThere were excoriated plaques predominantly over shin and extensor surface of forearms []. Interview with the girl and her parents revealed that she had a difficult temperament. The family relations were disturbed as father had alcohol dependence and there were frequent quarrels at home between the parents. Habit reversal seemed most appropriate as she had inability to control the urge. Interpersonal conflicts in the family were also dealt with as a part of psychological intervention. Psychiatrist treated her with oral dothiepin 50 mg/day and we treated her excoriations with topical anti-bacterial cream with steroids.\nPatient was maintaining well following behavior techniques at 6-month follow-up and was educated regarding need for adherence to therapies. However, her father's alcohol dependence continued to be a constant stressor.