Prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin picking among adults with skin disease symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Despite its relevance, few studies have examined the prevalence and characteristics of skin picking in relation to skin disease. To address limitations in the literature, the current study examined in those with self-reported skin disease symptoms: (1) the prevalence of skin picking; (2) demographic, dermatological, and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with and without skin picking; and (3) associations between skin picking severity and psychosocial symptoms. Participants (N\u202f=\u202f1129) were screened for skin disease symptoms through an online platform. Among those with active skin disease symptoms (N\u202f=\u202f237), 45% reported some degree of skin picking and 22% reported pathological skin picking. Presence of skin picking was significantly associated with younger age and several dermatological characteristics (e.g., number of dermatological conditions, skin disease severity), as well as heightened psychiatric symptoms and greater impairment. Further, severity of skin picking was associated with psychiatric symptoms and impairment. The findings highlight clinical characteristics associated with skin picking that may improve detection of this psychological phenomenon in outpatient settings. Further, the presence of skin picking was associated with worse psychosocial outcomes, indicating the importance of increasing dermatology patients’ access to psychiatric treatments.