Obsessive ‐compulsive behaviour related cutaneous ulcers: two cases with therapeutic considerations

In this report, we present two cases of self‐inflicted severe wounds that were diagnosed as secondary to obsessive‐compulsive behaviour. Patients were middle‐aged females who presented with deep cutaneous ulcers that were acknowledgedly maintained through repetitive manipulation. Obsessive‐compulsive‐related cutaneous disease is better treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in higher dosages than those used to treat depression. Both patients were treated with fluoxetine 60–80 mg that resulted in adequate healing of the ulcers; relapses were observed during attempts to taper fluoxetine dosage. An adequate psychic diagnosis is required if an effective therapeutic response to self‐inflicted cutaneous lesions is desired, because clinically identical lesions can also be caused as a result of distinct mental mechanisms: anxiety, depression, psychosis, obsessive‐compulsive disorder and classic dermatitis artefacta.
Source: International Wound Journal - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research