Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Dermatophagia
Introduction
Background
Background
Dermatophagia (sufferers can be called wolf-biters)[1] is a form of neurodermatosis wherein a sufferer habitually bites their skin.[1][2] It often takes the form of chewing on the fingers,[3] and when left unchecked, can lead to discoloration and damage.
Behavior
Behavior
Sufferers of dermatophagia often chew their skin out of habit or compulsion,[1][2] and can do so on a variety of places on their body.[2] Commonly, it seems to manifest in the fingers, where the skin around fingernails and surrounding joints get the brunt of the damage.[3] If the behavior is left unchecked for an extended period, callouses may start to develop where most the biting is done.[2]
Skin chewing can be bolstered by times of apprehension and other unpleasant events.[2] Another disorder, known as dermatillomania, the act of peeling one’s skin, can sometimes accompany dermatophagia.
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Dermatophagia”. PubMed. Department of Health and Human Services. 1997. Unknown parameter
|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Al Aboud, Khalid; V. Ramesh; and K. Al Hawsawi (2003). “Dermatophagia Simulating Callosities” (pdf). Dermatology Psychosomatics. Department of Dermatology. Unknown parameter
|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Stop eating my fingers”. 43 Things. Robot Co-op. Unknown parameter
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]