LITERATURE REVIEW OF THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES OF “SKIN PICKING”

Abstract

Excoriation disorder is the act of “picking” the skin recurrently, generating injuries, and it occurs in approximately 1.4% to 5.4% of the population, with a higher prevalence in women. This study is a narrative literature review and aims to analyze the most used treatment methods and compare their effectiveness. In relation to N-acetyl cysteine, it was associated with a reduction in urges more than in the placebo group, improvement in symptoms and injury, in addition to reducing the frequency of “skin picking” behavior. Some studies have shown that sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and escitalopram helped with symptoms. The use of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, has inconsistent data for its use. The use of memantine can be considered a first-line treatment equal to behavioral therapy, but the study has limitations. Behavioral Therapies were considered a good therapy for this pathology, especially if used together with the therapies described. Electroconvulsive Therapy was considered an option and more effective if carried out as a strengthening strategy for patients using other existing treatments, but this analysis was only described with case reports. In conclusion, despite the great psychosocial burden and risks that this disorder carries, less than half of patients seek treatment and the majority do not improve after treatment. Furthermore, there is a need to carry out more studies investigating each medication/therapy for a longer period of time, to more accurately assess the effectiveness of each one.