Pharmacologic Management of Skin-Picking Disorder: An Updated Review.

Abstract

Introduction: Skin-picking disorder (SPD), defined as a psychocutaneous condition that involves excessive picking at the skin causing marked impairment in quality of life, is commonly seen in both dermatology and psychiatry. As such, therapeutic intervention - both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic - is essential. Given the rising prevalence of SPD and the tremendous impact it can have on quality of life, an updated review, specifically on pharmacologic options, is very much needed.

Methods: A search through PubMed was conducted using the key words "treatment" and "skin picking" or "excoriation" in November 2024. Articles were limited to those that solely address pharmacologic treatments in skin-picking for individuals > 18-years-old, were published in the last 20 years, in the English language, and can be classified as either a clinical trial, case report/series, or cohort study.

Findings: Of the 192 articles extracted from PubMed, 13 studies (289 patients) met the inclusion criteria. These articles consist of 7 case reports/series and 6 randomized controlled trials. The following medications were evaluated for treatment of SPD: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), glutamatergic drugs (N-acetyl cysteine, memantine), antiepileptics (lamotrigine, topiramate), lithium, antipsychotics (olanzapine, aripiprazole), opioid antagonists (naltrexone), and mirtazapine.

Conclusion: Of the medications evaluated for use in SPD, SSRIs show the most promising results in terms of mitigating the severity and frequency of skin-picking symptoms. Although habit-reversal psychotherapy has traditionally been first-line treatment, SSRIs are now increasingly being used in combination with psychotherapy when a patient presents with SPD. N-acetyl cysteine has also been well-established in the treatment of SPD. Other classes of medications that have been studied in SPD include the use of antipsychotics (often combined with antidepressants) and naltrexone. Additional studies are indicated to further expand on the current research and definitively establish the role of the less common medications, such as antiepileptics, in SPD.