Unraveling the enigma: A case report on factitious dermatitis – exploring the complexities of psycho-cutaneous disorders

Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a condition in which skin lesions are solely produced or inflicted by the patient’s own actions. This usually occurs as a result or manifestation of a psychological problem. It could be a form of emotional release in situations of distress or part of an attention-seeking behavior. It is particularly common in women and in those with an underlying psychiatric diagnosis or external stress. The diagnostic process relies on excluding other possibilities, making confirmation challenging. Patients frequently hesitate to acknowledge their involvement in the development of their lesions. Treatment can be challenging, and management should adopt a multidisciplinary team approach composed of dermatologists and mental health professionals. We present a literature review of DA, highlighted by a case report of a patient with ulcerations all over the face, which, after thorough investigation, represented DA.