Abstract

OLIVEIRA, G; KHASKI, S  and  ACHENBACH, RE. Self-Cutting lesions of the skin. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2014, vol.95, n.1, pp.47-48. ISSN 1851-300X.

In the section of Psychodermatology, in the Dermatology Service of I. Pirovano Hospital, we look at the physician-patient relationship as the fundamental base of our work. We consider the subjectivity of each patient complain as an interpersonal bond in which one of the persons (the patient) seeks help, knowledge and care, while the other (the physician) offers his expertise accordingly. In some cases, this way of working results useful and essential. For example, when patients appear with self-injury, such as the one introduced by Dr. Gabriela Oliveira in the health center in which she works (besides belonging to our Dermatology Department), in the province of Buenos Aires.  Self-injury is defined as a deliberate and repetitive act which seeks to harm one's body, without suicidal intention. Cutting, hiting and burning are the most common methods and the disorder is also known as self-harm or self-cutting. This condition is expressed in the skin, as we will observe in the adolescent patient presented, must be vigilant to dermatologists, general practitioners and those working in call duty doctors, given that this is an increasingly common psychiatric disorder among young people to achieve mental health referral and appropriate treatment, according to the underlying psychiatric disease.

Keywords : Psycho-dermatology; Self-injury; Self-harm; Suicide risk.