Dermatitis artefacta--a long way from the first clinical symptoms to diagnosis

Abstract

Dermatitis artefacta is a disease that occurs as a result of a self-inflicted injury to the skin. The problem quite often is undiagnosed for a long time until the clinical look of bizarre skin lesions combined with non-specific histology and normal blood tests lead to the final identification. This report presents the case of a 62-year-old man who was diagnosed after 10 years of duration of disease. We discuss the reasons for such behavior and the possibilities of dermatological and general interventions.