Dermatillomania or compulsive skin picking (CSP) is when a person repeatedly picks at the skin until damage is caused. The scalp, face, back, arms and legs are some of the common places that may be picked. Besides picking, the person may also scratch, bite or tweeze the skin.
Like trichotillomania, CSP is also considered a mixture of psychological disorders, like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and a physical aliment, like Tourette's Syndrome. However, a person suffering from CSP also has a higher chance of suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Thinking that he or she can clear the skin of blemishes, a person may begin to pick and scratch only to cause more harm to the skin. A person suffering from CSP usually wears make-up and lots of clothing to conceal scabs, scars and picked areas.
