Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-05-08
Dermatillomania, also known as Excoriation Disorder, has an estimated lifetime prevalence in the general population ranging from 1.4% to 5.4%, though exact global figures remain elusive due to underreporting. While often classified as a common mental health condition rather than a rare disease, the social stigma surrounding Dermatillomania frequently leads to significant underdiagnosis and delayed clinical recognition. What is the demographic distribution of Dermatillomania? Current clinical literature suggests that Dermatillomania disproportionately affects females, with studies indicating a female-to-male ratio ranging from 3:1 to 7:1.
3 people with Dermatillomania have shared their first-person experience on this question at DiseaseMaps.
What is the prevalence of Dermatillomania?
Prevalence of Dermatillomania: how many people are affected worldwide, differences by sex and region, with sources.
Dermatillomania, also known as Excoriation Disorder, has an estimated lifetime prevalence in the general population ranging from 1.4% to 5.4%, though exact global figures remain elusive due to underreporting. While often classified as a common mental health condition rather than a rare disease, the social stigma surrounding Dermatillomania frequently leads to significant underdiagnosis and delayed clinical recognition.
What is the demographic distribution of Dermatillomania?
Current clinical literature suggests that Dermatillomania disproportionately affects females, with studies indicating a female-to-male ratio ranging from 3:1 to 7:1. While Dermatillomania can emerge at any age, the typical age of onset is during adolescence, often coinciding with puberty (ages 11–15). There is no strong evidence suggesting that Dermatillomania is linked to specific ethnic or geographic populations, as it appears to be a global phenomenon. However, because many individuals feel shame, they do not seek medical help, making accurate incidence rates per year difficult to calculate.
Why is accurate prevalence data for Dermatillomania challenging?
Determining the true prevalence of Dermatillomania is complicated by several factors:
- Stigma: Many patients avoid disclosing their picking behaviors to primary care physicians.
- Misdiagnosis: Dermatillomania is often misidentified as primary dermatological issues rather than a psychiatric or body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB).
- Self-Reporting Bias: Community-based studies rely on self-reporting, which may lead to either underestimation or overestimation depending on the survey criteria used.
How does the DiseaseMaps community compare to clinical data?
While clinical studies provide broad epidemiological snapshots, platforms like DiseaseMaps.org offer a vital, real-world perspective. Currently, 260 people with Dermatillomania have joined the DiseaseMaps community to share their experiences. This data highlights that while Dermatillomania is statistically common, the experience of living with the condition is deeply personal and often isolating, reinforcing the need for specialized support.
Next steps
- Consult a dermatologist to manage skin lesions and prevent secondary infections.
- Seek a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).
- Consider evidence-based therapies such as Habit Reversal Training (HRT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- Connect with the 260 members of the DiseaseMaps.org community to share coping strategies and reduce isolation.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - Excoriation Disorder.
- The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (bfrb.org).
- American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
- PubMed/National Library of Medicine: Prevalence and clinical correlates of skin picking disorder.
Estimates of prevalence of the condition range from 1.4 to 5.4% in the general population. One U.S. telephone survey found that 16.6% of respondents "picked their skin to the point of noticeable tissue damage" and that 1.4% would qualify as meeting the requirements of excoriation disorder. Another community survey found a rate of 5.4% had excoriation disorder. A survey of college students found a rate of 4%. One study found that among non-disabled adults, 63% of individuals engaged in some form of skin picking and 5.4% engaged in serious skin picking. Lastly, a survey of dermatology patients found that 2% suffered from excoriation disorder.
Posted Sep 14, 2017 by Linda 4500
For some, the onset happens before age 10. For others, it starts in the teens with acne. Others may not see onset until the ages of 30-45. Dermatillomania can onset at any age. Dermatillomania is more common in females than in males, but does affect both.
Dermatillomania is more prevalent in people who have family members with the disorder, people who have certain other mental health disorders like depression and OCD, and people with certain other disorders such as Prader–Willi syndrome and Smith–Magenis syndrome.
Posted Oct 14, 2019 by lovetheaardvarks 3660
Posted Oct 14, 2019 by Brenda-Victoria 3600
