Skin biting,or dermatophagia, is a body-focused repetitive behavior that affects individuals by causing them to compulsively bite or chew their skin. It is important to recognize skin biting as a distinct disorder, as its effects can significantly impact the mental and physical well-being of those who experience it.
Skin Biting
Skin biting,or dermatophagia, is a body-focused repetitive behavior that affects individuals by causing them to compulsively bite or chew their skin. It is important to recognize skin biting as a distinct disorder, as its effects can significantly impact the mental and physical well-being of those who experience it.
Dermatophagia is characterized by the repeated biting or chewing of the skin. While it primarily affects the fingers and hands, it can extend to other body parts, such as the lips, cheeks, or even the inside of the mouth. The act of skin biting often provides a sense of relief or gratification to individuals with dermatophagia, but it is typically followed by feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of dermatophagia may vary from person to person, but several common indicators help identify the presence of the condition:
Visible skin damage: Frequent biting or chewing can lead to noticeable skin damage, including redness, swelling, scarring, and calluses in the affected areas.
Compulsive behavior: Individuals with dermatophagia experience an overwhelming urge to bite their skin and find it challenging to resist the impulse, especially if there is a trigger such as dry skin, flakey skin, or some other condition that makes the identified area “different” from the rest of the skin..
Emotional distress: Feelings of anxiety, tension, or stress often precede or accompany episodes of skin biting, and individuals may experience a temporary relief or gratification from the behavior.
Sensory Stimulation: Some individuals engage in skin biting to seek sensory stimulation or to get rid of a sensation that feels different, such as a hang nail, a spot of dry skin, or some other aberration that attracts the person to that area. In addition, skin biting is also movement and can satisfy the need to move when one is in a sedentary situation.
Preoccupation and avoidance: Dermatophagia can consume a significant amount of an individual's thoughts and time, leading to avoidance of social situations or activities that may expose their skin.
Impacts and Effects
Dermatophagia can have both physical and psychological effects on individuals who engage in skin biting. The repeated biting or chewing of the skin can cause tissue damage, inflammation, infections, and potential scarring. Persistent skin damage may also lead to pain, discomfort, or secondary health issues.
Skin biting often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The behavior can negatively impact self-esteem, body image, and overall emotional well-being. It may also lead to feelings of embarrassment or shame, potentially affecting social interactions and relationships.
Treatment
Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment and habit reversal training (HRT) can be effective in helping individuals identify triggers, develop alternative coping mechanisms, and modify their behavior. It can help individuals with dermatophagia develop healthier coping mechanisms, challenge negative thoughts, and reduce the frequency and intensity of skin biting episodes.
Choosing a therapeutic provider to support your BFRB journey is a process that takes time. Patience and persistence are key to finding your own level of success.
Medications used for OCD and other anxiety disorders have been tested on subjects with BFRBs with limited success. There has not yet been any single medication or combined medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of BFRBs.
