Citation

Finore ED, Andreoli E, Alfani S, Palermi G, Pedicelli C, Paradisi M. Pediatr. Dermatol. 2007; 24(5): E51-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1525-1470.2007.00441.x

PMID

17958781

Abstract

The high visibility of dermatologic diseases and their easy accessibility make the skin a primary and direct target for dysfunctional behaviors. Self-harm tendencies can frequently be expressed through dermatologic lesions, and dermatitis artefacta falls within this clinical frame. The occurrence of this cutaneous manifestation in children is very rare, with a peak of greater frequency in adolescence. We describe the characteristics of a multidisciplinary intervention-dermatologic and psychologic. Our pediatric patient displays a dermatologic picture that has no etiologic confirmation. The source of this disorder must therefore be found in socio-relational difficulties within the family and school environments, which lead the patient to self-harm behaviors that have a high communication value.

Language: en

Keywords

Child; Dermatitis; Factitious Disorders; Female; Humans; Mother-Child Relations; Psychology, Child; Schools; Self-Injurious Behavior