Dermatillomania: Strategies for Developing Protective Biomaterials/Cloth

Abstract

Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder (SPD) is a chronic, recurrent, and treatment resistant neuropsychiatric disorder with an underestimated prevalence that has a concerning negative impact on an individual’s health and quality of life. The current treatment strategies focus on behavioral and pharmacological therapies that are not very effective. Thus, the primary objective of this review is to provide an introduction to SPD and discuss its current treatment strategies as well as to propose biomaterial-based physical barrier strategies as a supporting or alternative treatment. To this end, searches were conducted within the PubMed database and Google Scholar, and the results obtained were organized and presented as per the following categories: prevalence, etiology, consequences, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. Furthermore, special attention was provided to alternative treatment strategies and biomaterial-based physical treatment strategies. A total of six products with the potential to be applied as physical barrier strategies in supporting SPD treatment were shortlisted and discussed. The results indicated that SPD is a complex, underestimated, and underemphasized neuropsychiatric disorder that needs heightened attention, especially with regard to its treatment and care. Moreover, the high synergistic potential of biomaterials and nanosystems in this area remains to be explored. Certain strategies that are already being utilized for wound healing can also be further exploited, particularly as far as the prevention of infections is concerned.

Reconstruction of Scalp Wounds in Patients With Excoriation Disorder

“…1,2 Obstructive sleep apnea is a frequent and common respiratory disease represented as complete and/or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, with reduced the blood oxygen saturation which is also associated with a compromised upper-airway space and an increase in upper-airway collapsibility. 3 The oropharynx is considered as a complex structure with multiple functions including breathing, speech, and swallowing. 1 It has an intrinsic stiffness, but is quite vulnerable to large.…”

Pediatric skin picking disorder: A review of management

“…These products should be designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the pediatric patient, to be personalized by them, and to match the patient's skin tone, allowing for optimal psychosocial functioning during treatment. 43 If behavioral therapy is insufficient to relieve symptoms or the patient refuses to seek mental health counseling (the majority of dermatology referrals to psychiatry are not pursued by patients), 10 pediatric patients with SPD can be treated with pharmacologic therapy. 48 Several pharmacologic treatments have been studied for SPD, but there is no single gold standard.…”

“…In addition to psychologic therapy, physical barriers have been explored as an alternative treatment strategy for SPD 43 . For example, dressings such as Unna boots can be used by dermatologists to promote the healing of skin lesions and prevent further skin picking 44 .…”

“…Additionally, several skin‐replacement products have been developed that could be used to treat SPD; one modality involves the use of nanotechnology to provide antimicrobial properties and improved wear‐and‐tear resistance over traditional materials. These products should be designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the pediatric patient, to be personalized by them, and to match the patient's skin tone, allowing for optimal psychosocial functioning during treatment 43 …”

“…39 In addition to psychologic therapy, physical barriers have been explored as an alternative treatment strategy for SPD. 43 For example, dressings such as Unna boots can be used by dermatologists to promote the healing of skin lesions and prevent further skin picking. 44 Contingently applied protective equipment has been shown to reduce self-injurious behavior in developmentally disabled patients, including children.…”