Can Skin Picking Cause Cancer

Which Autoimmune Diseases Might Feature Excoriation Disorder

Autoimmune conditions that affect your skin can cause excoriation disorder to develop. This is more likely if you already have a history of other mental health or psychological conditions.

Many of these conditions are linked to each other, known as comorbidities. This means a person will often have several of these conditions in addition to excoriation disorder.

What About Other Treatments That I Hear About

When you have cancer you might hear about other ways to treat the cancer or treat your symptoms. These may not always be standard medical treatments. These treatments may be vitamins, herbs, special diets, and other things. You may wonder about these treatments.

Some of these are known to help, but many have not been tested. Some have been shown not to help. A few have even been found to be harmful. Talk to your doctor about anything youre thinking about using, whether its a vitamin, a diet, or anything else.

Tests That May Be Done

The doctor will ask you questions about when the spot on your skin first showed up and if it has changed in size or the way it looks or feels. The rest of your skin will be checked. During the exam your doctor will check the size, shape, color and texture of any skin changes. If signs are pointing to skin cancer, more tests will be done.

Skin biopsy

In a biopsy, the doctor takes out a small piece of tissue to check it for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if you have skin cancer and what kind it is.

There are many types of skin biopsies. Ask your doctor what kind you will need. Each type has pros and cons. The choice of which type to use depends on your own case.

In rare cases basal and squamous cell skin cancer can spread to the nearby lymph nodes Ask your doctor if your lymph nodes will be tested.

Basal and squamous cell cancers don’t often spread to other parts of the body. But if your doctor thinks your skin cancer might spread, you might need imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans.

Also Check: What Is The Most Dangerous Kind Of Skin Cancer

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that can show up on the skin in many ways. Also known as BCC, this skin cancer tends to grow slowly and can be mistaken for a harmless pimple, scar, or sore.

Common signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma

This skin cancer often develops on the head or neck and looks like a shiny, raised, and round growth.

To help you spot BCC before it grows deep into your skin, dermatologists share these 7 warning signs that could be easily missed.

If you find any of the following signs on your skin, see a board-certified dermatologist.

How Is Excoriation Disorder Treated

Excoriation disorder treatment can require a two-pronged approach.

If you have an autoimmune disorder, treating the underlying condition is necessary to ease skin symptoms like itching. Without treating the underlying trigger of excoriation disorder, the symptoms will come back.

However, treating an underlying autoimmune condition isnt enough by itself. People with severe excoriation disorder will pick open areas of skin that have healed. Mental health treatments are often necessary to help modify skin-picking behaviors.

Recommended Reading: What Does Skin Cancer Look Like When It Starts

Skin Cancer On The Scalp

Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Skin cancer can affect your scalp just as it does any other part of the body. These malignant lesions can include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. However, they often go unnoticed because skin cancer on the scalp can be masked by hair or located on a part of the scalp that isn’t easy to check.

Sun exposure is the most common cause of skin cancers, including those on the scalp, which account for 13% of all skin malignancies.

This article describes the different types of cancers affecting the scalp as well as how they are diagnosed and treated. It also offers prevention tips and instructions on how to perform a self-exam.

Stop Picking Neurotic Excoriations And How To Break The Habit

Neurotic excoriations are dermal lesions that form when people pick their own skin. This condition is not formally recognized as a bodily health problem, as theres nothing wrong with the skin prior to patients picking. Skin picking is expected to be rooted in one or more mental health problems, as its very closely related to OCD .

Everyone whos ever suffered from skin picking knows that its difficult to just stop picking ones skin. People may pick because it creates satisfaction by releasing some of the brains feel good chemicals, think their skin looks bad and want to increase its appeal, or from incorrectly reasoning that theres something under their skin. Whatever your particular reason for picking is, lets look into several ways to break the bad, unhealthy, gross habit of skin picking.

Seek mental health help

While it may seem that picking ones skin isnt that big of a deal, it very may be a big deal. It looks bad, causing anxiety or a lack of self-confidence. Picking can cause lasting scars, worsening ones skin. The bad behavior, also known as dermatillomania, can even cause potentially-deadly infections! Because those who create neurotic excoriations are more likely to have family members with OCD or the condition themselves, its never a bad idea to seek professional help.

Apply skin-friendly oil

Find something else to fidget with

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Skin Cancer On Leg

Why Do People Pick Scabs

Many of us feel pleasure and satisfaction when picking scabs, bumps, blemishes or even healthy skin, says Emily Ricketts, clinical specialist in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA. But why do people enjoy picking scabs? It could be a result of deficits in the areas of the brain related to reward processing, she says.

According to a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, picking scabs usually begins as an unconscious activity but becomes more conscious and prominent over time. When this behavior becomes compulsive, its termed excoriation disorder, which is classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition .

This psychiatric condition refers to repeated picking, squeezing, digging and/or scratching at the skin, with resultant skin damage, Ricketts explains. Those who suffer from excoriation may also have trouble stopping or decreasing their scab picking and may feel shame, guilt, anxiety or depression surrounding their condition. Some may avoid or feel uncomfortable in social situations, have difficulty with relationships and may struggle to focus at school, work or home.

Find An Alternative Stress Reliever

People with chronic stress or anxiety may find that nose picking provides a temporary moment of relief. Its safer for you, your nose, and your anxiety if you find a more productive stress reliever, however.

Consider listening to soothing music when your anxiety level starts to climb. Practice deep breathing by inhaling slowly and counting to 10, then exhaling slowly and counting down to zero.

If you need to keep your hands busy, look for a stress ball or handheld game that requires you to occupy your hands.

If none of these activities work, talk with a mental health care provider about ways to manage the anxiety that causes the picking in the first place.

Recommended Reading: What’s Basal Cell Carcinoma

What Is Excoriation Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition defines excoriation disorder as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder . According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, it falls into a category of symptoms called body-focused repetitive behaviors .

People with excoriation disorder regularly spend several minutes picking at their skin, or they may pick continuously for hours. People with the condition often tend to pick their face, but they may focus on other areas of their body, too.

The motivation behind why you pick may vary, but people with this condition find it difficult to control the impulse to do it. To diagnose excoriation disorder, a doctor needs to determine that the damage to your skin is due to compulsive skin picking and not an underlying skin condition.

Skin-picking disorder often occurs along with other conditions, including:

• anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

While symptoms of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma vary, an unusual skin growth, bump or sore that doesn’t go away may be the first indication of a non-melanoma skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas on the head or neck may first appear as a pale patch of skin or a waxy translucent bump. It may be possible to see blood vessels in the center of the bump or there may be an indentation in the center. If the carcinoma develops on the chest it may look more like a brownish scar or flesh-colored lesion. As the cancer develops, it may bleed if injured or ooze and become crusty in some areas.

Squamous cell carcinomas may also develop as a lump on the skin. However, these firm lumps may be rough on the surface, unlike the smooth and pearly appearance of a basal cell carcinoma. If a nodule doesn’t form, the cancer may develop more like a reddish scaly patch. Whereas a skin rash may go away with time, these rough lesion-like patches remain and continue to develop slowly. This type of cancer typically is found on the head, neck, hands or arms, but they can also develop in other areas, such as the genital region or in scars or skin sores.

However, both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas may also develop as a flat area that does not look much different from normal skin, so it is important be aware of the symptoms of skin cancer and discuss any changes with your doctor.

Don’t Miss: Preventing Loose Skin During Weight Loss

An Unusual Complication Of Dermatillomania

Amer Hawatmeh, Anas Al-khateeb

Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michaels Medical Center, New York Medical College, USA

Correspondence to:

Submitted Aug 26, 2016. Accepted for publication Sep 20, 2016.

doi: 10.21037/qims.2016.12.02

Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder is characterized by repetitive skin picking leading to tissue damage. Skin picking may result in significant tissue damage and often leads to medical complications such as localized infections. We present a case of a patient who presented with bacteremia, an extensive workup failed to identify the source of bacteremia. However, skin examination findings helped to identify the source, which was attributed to skin infection secondary to skin picking disorder.

Figure 1

Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder is characterized by repetitive skin picking leading to tissue damage. Skin picking disorder can lead to serious medical conditions, such as Scarring, ulcerations and infections .

Despite a lifetime prevalence of 1.4% in general population, Skin picking disorder is believed to be underreported. It is more commonly reported in females, with a median age of onset of 3045 years . Due to its relative high prevalence and morbidity, it has been included lately in DSM-5. Neurotic excoriations are due either to an underlying psychopathology or to the formation of habit. Accordingly, their pathophysiology is poorly understood .

Is Skin Picking A Dermatological Condition

I looked up skin picking and found:

Excoriation Disorder, also known as skin picking disorder or dermatillomania, is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at ones own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in ones life…The symptoms of this form of obsessive-compulsive disorder are not caused by a dermatological condition.”1

Read Also: How Fast Does Melanoma Skin Cancer Spread

Myth #: There Is No Treatment For Excoriation Disorder

Fact: Skin picking disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible.

Unfortunately, some studies suggest that fewer than 20% of people with skin picking disorder end up seeking treatment because they are embarrassed about it, or they think its just a bad habit. However, there is effective treatment available. Recovery is not a matter of willpower or just stopping skin picking. If that was possible, the person would have done that long ago. Rather, the underlying psychological problems must be addressed.

The most effective way to address excoriation disorder is to start with a comprehensive assessment to identify the underlying causes and any co-occurring disorders . Treatment involves designing a personalized holistic treatment program that addresses the underlying and co-occurring problems, especially the obsessive-compulsive and anxiety components of the disorder.

Psychological therapy with techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy , and pharmacological therapy with anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medications such as SSRIs, are the mainstays of treating excoriation. Treatment of the skin damage by a dermatologist is important for general health and to help reduce the individuals embarrassment from the unsightly skin lesions. Treatment of underlying substance use may also be necessary.

Treatment Of Skin Cancer Of The Scalp

If you are diagnosed with scalp cancer, the treatment may vary based on the type of cancer you have, the grade of the tumor, and the extent to which the tumor may or may not have spread. Your general health may also factor in.

Many people with skin cancer only require surgery to remove the tumor. No further treatment may be needed.

With that said, your hair will need to be shaved around the tumor in preparation for surgery. Once the incision is stitched together, any scar can usually be hidden with surrounding hair. If you are bald, an effort will be made to minimize the appearance of a scar plastic surgery may be needed.

If additional treatment is needed , it may include:

Don’t Miss: How To Catch Skin Cancer Early

Myth #: Individuals Struggling With Excoriation Can Stop At Any Time

Fact: If people with skin picking disorder could stop, they would.

People with skin picking disorder suffer mental and physical pain and lose out on social, vocational and educational opportunities due to their disorder. In fact, they spend so much time picking that they often miss or are late for appointments, social activities, work, and school. Many are chronically fatigued because they cant sleep because they need to pick.

People who skin pick compulsively are also often ashamed of their picking and the appearance of scars, sores, and infections on their skin. They tend to have low self-esteem, to begin with, and the skin picking and skin sores make their self-esteem worse. They are so embarrassed that they often miss out on important events such as work, social engagements, etc. because they dont want people to see them, or because they are spending too much time picking or trying to camouflage their skin sores.

Skin picking disorder eats up a great deal of time, energy and brain power. People who pick generally want nothing more than to be free of the compulsive behavior.

What Are The Health Risks Of Skin Cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer? A lighter natural skin color. Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun. Blue or green eyes. Blond or red hair. Certain types and a large number of moles. A family history of skin cancer. A personal history of skin cancer. Older age.

Don’t Miss: How Do You Treat Skin Cancer

Tests For Basal And Squamous Cell Skin Cancers

Most skin cancers are brought to a doctors attention because of signs or symptoms a person is having.

If you have an abnormal area that might be skin cancer, your doctor will examine it and might do tests to find out if it is cancer or some other skin condition. If it is cancer and there is a chance it might have spread to other areas of the body, other tests might be done as well.

Symptoms Of Skin Picking Disorder

Common signs and symptoms of dermatillomania include but are not limited to:

• Recurrent skin picking resulting in skin lesions

People with skin picking disorder have a compulsion to pick their skin frequently, often resulting in tissue damage, sometimes even infection. The impulse or urge to pick is so strong, some describe the experience as similar to that of a substance addiction.

• Repeated attempts to decrease or stop skin picking

One of the main differentiating criteria between dermatillomania and other conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder is that the person is cognitively aware that the picking is undesirable and therefore tries to stop picking. One of the signs of a skin picking disorder is therefore a history of failed attempts to stop picking.

• The skin picking causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

• The skin picking is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition

Some substances induce a physiological reaction on the skin such as itching or burning. If the person repetitively scratches at an itchy skin, this is not recognised as a skin picking disorder. If however, after the physiological skin condition subsides and the person continues to pick or scratch at the site, a skin picking disorder may have developed.

• The skin picking is not better explained by symptoms of another mental disorder

Recommended Reading: What Does Melanoma Skin Cancer Look Like Pictures

Different Kinds Of Skin Cancer

There are many types of skin cancer. Some are very rare. Your doctor can tell you more about the type you have.

The two most common kinds of skin cancers are:

• Basal cell cancer, which starts in the lowest layer of the skin
• Squamous cell cancer, which starts in the top layer of the skin

Another kind of skin cancer is called melanoma. These cancers start from the color-making cells of the skin . You can read about melanoma in If You Have Melanoma Skin Cancer.