Dermatitis artefacta of the breast: a retrospective analysis of 27 patients (1976–2006)

Abstract

Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is defined as all dermatological, self-inflicted skin lesions, where the patient denies having produced the lesions. The purpose of this study is to make a single-centre retrospective clinical review of patients diagnosed as DA of the breast. During a 30-year period (1976-2006), patients diagnosed as DA of the breast, seen in the Department of Dermatology of the Virgen Macarena Hospital in Seville, were recorded. Clinical and epidemiological features are described. A total of 27 women with a mean age of 34.33 years were selected representing 13.43% of the total of DA patients recorded (n=201) in this period. The most frequent clinical forms were: excoriations (nine patients, 33.33%) and ulcers (nine patients, 33.33%), followed by burns (six patients, 22.22%), blisters (one patient, 3.70%), contact dermatitis (one patient, 3.70%) and haematomas (one patient, 3.70%). Ten of the cases were located exclusively on the breasts, whereas 17 had also other locations such as face in seven cases, arms in five cases, abdomen in five cases and the entire body in two cases. Cutaneous lesions were treated with occlusive bandages using zinc paste or plaster splint when necessary. To our knowledge, this is the major series of DA of the breast studied. This complicated psychodermatological condition requires a correct diagnosis, appropriate management and psychiatric assessment.