Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder

This code represents a mental health condition characterized by recurrent skin picking resulting in skin lesions and significant distress or functional impairment. Individuals with this disorder repeatedly pick at their skin, often attempting to stop but unable to do so.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, detailing repetitive picking that causes tissue damage and is not attributable to another medical or dermatological condition. Use when the patient experiences clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning due to the picking.

• Differentiate from dermatological conditions causing pruritus or skin lesions; the primary driver here is the compulsive picking behavior.
• Ensure documentation specifies the picking is not better explained by another mental disorder, substance use, or a general medical condition.
• Review "Excludes1" notes carefully to avoid inappropriate co-coding with factitial dermatitis or other specified behavioral/emotional disorders of childhood/adolescence.