Dermatophagia
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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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