Dermatitis artefacta in the orofacial region: a case report with literature review
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Authors
Patel, Mumta
Mumtaz, Shadaab
Deroide, Florence
Amini, Ali
Issue Date
2023
Type
Scientific Paper
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Abstract
In spite of wide prevalence, deliberate self-injury in the oro-facial region is rarely reported in literature. It is also associated with misinterpretation related to ‘attention seeking’ or ‘mental health crises’ leading to deficient understanding of this phenomenon. A literature review was performed using online search databases looking at dermatitis artefacta in the head and neck region. A case of a patient who was seen in our unit is also presented to give important insights into this condition. In total, 54 cases from 15 publications were included in this observational study. Female gender predilection was notable (4:1) with an average presenting age of 30 years. The face itself was more frequently injured, along with the neck and scalp. Only one-third (34%) of the patients were known to have psychiatric conditions, such as depressive and personality disorders. Dermatitis artefacta is a well-known skin condition caused by deliberate self-injury. It is a complex entity that is frequently unrecognized and underdiagnosed.
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Citation
Dermatitis artefacta in the orofacial region: a case report with literature review Nutan Patel, Shadaab Mumtaz, Florence Deroide, and Ali Amini Dental Update 2023 50:4, 271-273