title: Hand lesions characteristic of bulimia.
abstract: Bulimia is a serious and prevalent eating disorder in the adolescent population. The pediatrician is often in a position to make the initial diagnosis of bulimia but must suspect the disorder in light of subtle physical evidence. Denial and embarrassment reduce the likelihood of self-report of symptoms. Hand lesions resulting from self-induced emesis have a distinctive configuration and appearance. Noting these characteristic lesions during a physical examination should alert a physician to the diagnosis of bulimia or to an exacerbation of symptoms in a patient whose condition was previously diagnosed.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002145:Callosities / Q000209:etiology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination; D014839:Vomiting