Neurotic Excoriation

“Excoriate” is something that your wife may do — especially when you’re too lazy to take the trash out, or forget your wedding anniversary, or stay out too late with the guys, or…

But the “excoriation” we’re talking about here is something completely different — Neurotic Excoriation is what a person does when they pick their skin or fingers to the point of damage, pain or disfigurement for seemingly no reason.

Neurotic Excoriation can be a habit or ritual that results from a body dysmorphic disorder, boredom, stress, etc. Its a very broad term that describes many people who ritually pick their fingers, cuticles. Compulsive skin biting (aka dermatophagia) is another common form of Neurotic Excoriation.

More on the disorder can be found here:

• Compulsive Skin Picking & dermatillomania
• The American Academy of Family Physicians