Dermatitis Artefacta Mimicking Facial Decubitus Ulcer

Abstract

Dermatitis artefacta is a psychocutaneous disorder defined by the intentional self-damage of a patient’s integumentary system. Taking into consideration the psychiatric background of the disease as well as the variability of its clinical manifestations, the establishment of diagnosis is challenging. An interesting case of a 65-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with an inflamed bedsore-type lesion in the lower third of the face is reported. The confession of the pathogenetic mechanism of the ulcer in association with the patient’s psychiatric medical record led to the diagnosis. Through this case report, the interprofessional therapeutic protocol built of rigorous surgical debridement, antibiotic administration, and psychiatric support have been delineated.

Cite this article as: Alexiou A, Topouzidou A, Oikonomou A, Stavridopoulos M, Tsiouma G. Dermatitis artefacta mimicking facial decubitus ulcer. Balkan ORL-HNS 2025;2(3):91-93.