Dermatophagia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Dermatophagia
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Compulsive biting of the skin around the nails
Complications	Infection, scarring, bleeding
Onset	Childhood or adolescence
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Risks	Anxiety disorders, OCD
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation
Differential diagnosis	Dermatillomania, onychophagia, trichotillomania
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Cognitive behavioral therapy, habit reversal training, medication
Medication	SSRIs, anxiolytics
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Unknown, but considered rare
Deaths	N/A

Dermatophagia is a psychological condition that is characterized by a person's urge to bite their own skin, particularly around the fingers and nails. This condition is considered an impulse control disorder and is often associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Symptoms

The most common symptom of Dermatophagia is the constant biting of skin around the nails and fingers. This can lead to painful sores, bleeding, and even permanent damage to the skin. Other symptoms may include feelings of anxiety or tension before biting, and relief or satisfaction after biting.

Causes

The exact cause of Dermatophagia is unknown, but it is often linked to anxiety and stress. It is also considered a form of Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB), which are behaviors that cause damage to one's own body.

Treatment

Treatment for Dermatophagia often involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be used to help reduce the urge to bite.

See Also

• Impulse control disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Body-focused repetitive behavior
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

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