Dermatophagia refers to biting the skin around the fingers, most often the hands, compulsively and repeatedly. Why do we do this? Because of stress? What risks? What treatments? Advice.
You are used to bite and tear off the skin present on your fingers and/or around the nails compulsively? You may be affected by dermatophagia. She is part of body-focused repetitive behaviors (CRCC). It’s not a bad habit but an obsessive compulsive disorder (TOC). Dermatophagous people gnaw their skin until they bleed, most often in the hands and fingers but it can affect other parts of the body. dermatophagia deteriorates mental health of the individual. What are the signs and causes of this disorder? What are the dangers to physical and mental health? How to cure it?
Definition: what is dermatophagia?
“There dermatophagia (from ancient Greek “skin” and “eating”) means a compulsive and uncontrolled urge to gnaw or eat your own skinmost of the time on the fingersbut all parts of the body can be affected. Some also bite the inside of the mouth” indicates Professor Laurent Misery, dermatologist and venerologist. “Dermatophagia results from a desire to reduce anxiety in biting the skin around the fingers, most often the hands, more rarely the feet” adds Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist. It is a psychic disorder entering the field of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). “Dermatophagia can also approach in the most advanced cases a self-harming behavior“notes the psychologist.
What are the signs of dermatophagia?
People who suffer from it generally compulsively bite the skin on the fingers, around the nails, on the feet… leading to:
- bleeding
- red and swollen fingers
- deteriorated nails
- scars
- calluses
- discoloration
Please note, dermatophagia is to distinguish from dermatillomania which consists in crushing the skin (hand, scalp…) in a pathological way.
What are the causes of dermatophagia?
“What triggers the gesture itself is a state of suffering, of internal tension, stress or acute anxiety. The person finds no other way to manage this state than to adopt a dysfunctional behavior to bring down tension or negative thoughts to channel them“explains the psychologist. Other people scratch and bite their skin to concentrate. If dermatophagia is associated with other OCDs, it may be linked to a depressed state For example. ‘In this case, dermatophagia becomes a symptom and is part of a syndrome” notes Johanna Rozenblum. Dermatophagia can be favored by:
- the temperament (eager)
- the environment
- age (symptoms of BFRBs usually begin around puberty)
What are the dangers of dermatophagia?
“This behavior abnormal is quite common and benign. There is however a risk of superinfection” warns Professor Laurent Misery. When the skin is left raw and open because of the bite, bacteria can enter through the wound. “If dermatophagia becomes a obsession or if there are other abnormal behaviors, she may be hiding more serious mental disorders upstream” warns the dermatologist. “Dermatophagia may be accompanied by a feelings of shame and stigma that impairs self-esteem“adds Johanna Rozenblum.
If dermatophagia is a behavioral problem, OCD, don’t be ashamed of it and seek solutions with a healthcare professional. “A behavioral and cognitive therapy (CBT) with a psychologist will prove effective in curing this behavioral disorder“supports Johanna Rozenblum.”We try to understand the trigger for the behavior: anxiety, low self-esteem, boredom, a situation experienced as a dead end etc Afterwards, we are looking for an alternative to manage our anxiety other than through bodily harm, internal tension, or negative thoughts“continues the expert. For example, we can:
- try a new physical activity,
- handle modeling clay
- handle a stress ball
It may also be interesting to consult a dermatologist who will alert you to the physical consequences of this disorder. “It is difficult to get rid of an OCD, start by setting small goals and rewarding yourself for the efforts made participate in therapy” recalls the psychologist. We can ask for help from loved ones by informing them so that they alert us when we perform these gestures in an uncontrolled way. “If dermatophagia is associated with other symptoms such as depression, the depressive cause will be treated and a psychiatrist may prescribe medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitorswhich are also antidepressants” recommends the psychologist.
Thanks to Pr Laurent Misery, dermatologist and venerologist, member of the psycho-dermato group of the French Society of Dermatology (SFD) and to Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist.