Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review

Anna Prus; Thurein Zan; Julia Urbańska; Franciszek Deresz; Martyna Narloch

doi:10.5114/dr.2025.154785

eISSN: 2084-9893
ISSN: 0033-2526

Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny

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3/2025
vol. 112

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abstract:

Review article

Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review

Anna Prus

^{1, 2}

,

Thurein Zan

³

,

Julia Urbańska

¹

,

Franciszek Deresz

^{1, 2}

,

Martyna Narloch

¹

Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
Faculty of Medicine, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Germany
School of Pharmacy, Cedarville University, USA

Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2025, 112, 176-182

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2025.154785

Online publish date: 2025/08/30

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AMA

Prus A, Zan T, Urbańska J, Deresz F, Narloch M. Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 2025;112(3):176-182. doi:10.5114/dr.2025.154785.

APA

Prus, A., Zan, T., Urbańska, J., Deresz, F.,  & Narloch, M. (2025). Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 112(3), 176-182. https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2025.154785

Chicago

Prus, Anna, Thurein Zan, Julia Urbańska, Franciszek Deresz,  and Martyna Narloch. 2025. "Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review". Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny 112 (3): 176-182. doi:10.5114/dr.2025.154785.

Harvard

Prus, A., Zan, T., Urbańska, J., Deresz, F.,  and Narloch, M. (2025). Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 112(3), pp.176-182. https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2025.154785

MLA

Prus, Anna et al. "Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review." Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, vol. 112, no. 3, 2025, pp. 176-182. doi:10.5114/dr.2025.154785.

Vancouver

Prus A, Zan T, Urbańska J, Deresz F, Narloch M. Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 2025;112(3):176-182. doi:10.5114/dr.2025.154785.

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Artefactual skin disorder, formerly known as dermatitis artefacta, is a rare psychodermatological condition characterized by self-inflicted skin lesions, the origin of which patients typically deny. This disorder lies at the intersection of dermatology and psychiatry, and as it is often linked to multiple psychiatric comorbidities or psychosocial stressors, it additionally complicates its management. Clinical manifestations vary widely and often mimic other skin conditions, making diagnosis dependent on the exclusion of other diseases and a careful physical examination. Effective treatment includes dermatological care for wound healing, psychotherapy, pharmacological support, and empathetic approach to the patient. This paper aims to outline the clinical features of artefactual skin disorder, describe the latest treatment approaches and underscore the importance of psychiatric and psychological assessment.

keywords:

artefactual skin disorder, dermatitis artefacta, psychiatric background, rare, psychodermatology

Indeks osobowy

Artefactual Skin Disorder: Exploring Clinical Features, Psychiatric Associations, and Contemporary Treatment Approaches: a Narrative Review

Anna Prus 1, 2 , Thurein Zan 3 , Julia Urbańska 1 , Franciszek Deresz 1, 2 , Martyna Narloch 1

artefactual skin disorder, dermatitis artefacta, psychiatric background, rare, psychodermatology

Anna Prus

^{1, 2}

,

Thurein Zan

³

,

Julia Urbańska

¹

,

Franciszek Deresz

^{1, 2}

,

Martyna Narloch

¹