Many people occasionally create excoriations on their skin by picking or scratching at skin imperfections such as scabs or acne. A small minority of the general population has problems because of [Page 1366]an excessive habit of picking at the skin, and about 1% to 2% meet the criteria for excoriation (skin-picking) disorder. Excoriation disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by recurrent and persistent skin-picking behavior that causes skin lesions. Individuals with excoriation disorder are unable to resist the behavior despite a range of negative consequences such as disfigurement, repeated infections, emotional distress, and social avoidance. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), excoriation disorder is not diagnosed if the skin picking is solely caused by a medical ...