Excoriation Disorder

Joseph Gary, M.D., Laura Goldstein, Psy.D., Carisa Perry-Parrish, Ph.D.

DEFINITION

  • Excoriation disorder (skin picking disorder) is characterized by recurrent skin picking that results in skin lesions and causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
  • It is a subset of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders alongside trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder.
  • Synonyms and related disorders include psychogenic/neurotic excoriation, acne excoriée, and dermatotillomania.

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Last updated: August 13, 2025