[Dermatitis artefacta (factitial dermatitis)--an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge].

Factitial cutaneous lesions result from self-inflicted injury leading to objectifiable clinically relevant damage to the skin. Triggering factors are frequently psychiatric disorders or specific stress situations. Clinical manifestations range from superficial erosions to deep wounds.The establishment of the diagnosis is often a time-consuming and complicated process that precedes acceptance of the underlying pathology by both the therapist and patient. If lasting therapeutic success is to be achieved, the possibility of such cutaneous lesions must be included in differential diagnostic considerations, and early interdisciplinary cooperation is necessary.