An Insight Into Adolescent Dermatitis Artefacta: A Case Report

Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a rare and challenging-to-diagnose factitious dermatological disorder, most commonly affecting late adolescents and young adults. This case report presents a 17-year-old girl with a history of unexplained linear lesions on her face and abdomen persisting for 11 months, leading to significant school absenteeism. The dermatological examination was otherwise unremarkable except for multiple well-defined excoriations, erosions, and scarring, suggestive of DA. Dermoscopic examination supported this diagnosis, showing characteristic features. The patient was treated with N-acetyl cysteine and referred for psychiatric evaluation, highlighting the intricate nature of managing DA, particularly in young individuals who may have underlying psychological distress. The case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosing and treating DA, given its overlap with other neuropsychiatric and dermatological disorders.