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Dermatophagia

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.

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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 picking at one's skin, can sometimes accompany dermatophagia.

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Dermatophagia. PubMed. Department of Health and Human Services (1997). Retrieved on June 15, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Al Aboud, Khalid; V. Ramesh; and K. Al Hawsawi (2003). Dermatophagia Simulating Callosities (pdf). Dermatology Psychosomatics. Department of Dermatology. Retrieved on July 17, 2007.
^ ^a ^b Stop eating my fingers. 43 Things. Robot Co-op. Retrieved on June 15, 2007.