Evidence for N-Acetylcysteine Efficacy for Skin Picking Disorder

Published in Dermatology

Journal Scan / Research · July 17, 2021

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

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• In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, 28 patients with diagnoses of skin picking, acne excoriée, or neurodermatitis were treated with N-acetylcysteine. In all, 13 patients completed an adequate trial, defined as a minimum dose of 600 mg twice daily for 3 consecutive months. Of these 13 patients, 61.5% had documented improvement on physical exam. The most common side effect was GI upset (7.1%). The discontinuation rate prior to completion of an adequate trial was 53.6%, with 40% of patients discounting treatment due to a lack of response.

• N-acetylcysteine shows promising results in the treatment of skin picking disorder when treatment is continued for at least 3 months.

–  Katherine M. Stiff, MD

Abstract 

Skin picking disorder (SPD) is defined as repetitive skin manipulation resulting in visible tissue damage and impairment in social functioning.1 There have not been consistent positive responses to previous treatment options.2 Evidence supports the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for SPD.3,4 The highest level of evidence comes from a randomized control trial (RCT) with psychiatric endpoints evaluated by psychiatrists.5

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Evidence for N-Acetylcysteine Efficacy for Skin Picking Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Jul 02;[EPub Ahead of Print], AS Hwang, EH Campbell, JC Sartori-Valinotti 

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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