Dermatitis artefacta means that somebody has injured their own skin, by any method. They may injure their skin by:
scratching it, with their fingernails or a knife or other sharp instrument.
burning it with fire such as cigarettes, matches, or candles.
burning it with caustic chemicals, such as bleach.
They may or may not be aware that they caused the damage themselves, but they typically deny having intentionally inflicted the injury.
Dermatitis artefacta means self-inflicted lesions of the skin. The lesions are in sites readily accessible to the patient's hands. The methods used to injure the skin include deep excoriations with a sharp instrument, scarification with a knife, the application of caustic chemicals and burning, sometimes with a cigarette. Elastic bands may be used to produce oedema (swelling.) DermIS.