Dermatophagia

Dermatophagia is a sister-disorder to Trichophagia (compulsive hair eating) and Dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking) — all of which are forms of Neurodermatosis. A Dermatophagia sufferer compulsively and habitually bites her skin. Since many compulsive finger pickers also bite their fingers — the close relation between Dermatophagia and compulsive finger picking should be obvious.

The fingernails as well as skin on and around the nail — cuticles, nail folds, calluses, even hangnails — are the prime targets of the Dermatophagia sufferer. The slang term wolf-biter is sometimes used to refer to a person with Dermatophagia — the reference being to the way werewolves gnaw on flesh of their victims. In the case of compulsive skin biting, however — the “victim” is one’s own skin and fingers.

The common psychological drivers for Dermatophagia are quite similar to those of compulsive skin and finger picking — boredom, nervousness — even depression. The mental by-products of the habit are also the same — most notably shame.

Excoriating the skin (Neurotic Excoriation) in this manner is a neurotic behavior that frequently requires a psychological and/or medical treatment regimen to cure. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Behavior Modification on the psychological side — or antidepressants on the pharmaceutical side — can provide tactical relief of symptoms to the Dermatophagia sufferer while she explores the deeper-seated reasons for biting her skin compulsively.