Is a compulsion disorder of gnawing or biting one's own skin, most commonly at the fingers. This action can either be conscious or unconscious.
Those affected with dermatophagia typically bite the skin around the nails, leading to bleeding and discoloration over time. Some people also bite on their skin on their finger knuckles which can lead to pain and bleeding just by moving their fingers. In herpetology, dermatophagia is used to correctly describe the act in which amphibians and reptiles eat the skin they shed,
But this is not what occurs in humans. Those diagnosed with this disorder do not develop wounds on the bitt areas of their hands or lose any skin. Instead, they experice a thicking of the skin being repeatedly bitt.
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And this was addressed in the DSM-5 wh dermatophagia and other related disorders were classified as 'other specified obsessive-compulsive related disorders' and are giv the specification of body focused repetitive behavior.
Those with dermatophagia typically chew the skin surrounding their fingernails and joints. They also chew on the inside of their mouth, cheeks, and/or lips, causing blisters in and outside of the mouth. If the behavior is left unchecked for an extded period, calluses may start to develop where most of the biting is done.
Blisters in particular can cause a feeling of desire to pull or bite off the affected skin and nails (since the skin is dead, thus easily pulled off), which could be detrimtal, causing infection. Another disorder, known as excoriation disorder, the repetitive action of uncontrollably picking at one's skin, can sometimes accompany dermatophagia. Dermatophagia differs from excoriation disorder in that the repetitive motion affected persons partake in is the biting of the skin.
Here's When Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, Or Nail Biting Becomes A Disorder
People who have dermatophagia can also be prone to infection as wh they bite their fingers so frequtly, they make themselves vulnerable to bacteria seeping in and causing infection. Dermatophagia can be considered a "sister" disorder to trichophagia, which involves compulsively biting and eating one's hair.
Other techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy recommd replacing things that do not actually dissolve with edibles that would. Moreover, it has be suggested to delay the urge by chewing gum, or on a soft drink straw.
But there have be attempts at stopping those affected from being able to chew on their skin. One notable method that is currtly in developmt is focused on in curbing dermatophagia in childr with cerebral palsy. This method is known as the PLAY (Protecting Little and Adolesct hands) hands protective glove. This method of intervtion involves small, non-invasive plastic brackets being placed around the affected fingers. These brackets do not hinder movemt or tactile feedback, and they are constructed from non-toxic durable plastic that can withstand the force of chewing.
Nail Biting: Mental Disorder Or Just A Bad Habit?
Prestly PLAY hands protective gloves exist in concept and prototype only, but this intervtion method could improve the quality of life of those with CP-induced dermatophagia.Onychophagia can be explained as a kind of a compulsion that may cause destruction of the nails. Habitual nail biting is a common behaviour among children and young adults. By the age of 18 years the frequency of this behaviour decreases, but it may persist in some adults. Nail biting is an under-recognized problem, which may occur on a continuum ranging from mild to severe. Nail biting has received little attention in the psychiatric and dermatological literature. Its position in widely accepted classifications of psychiatric disorders (ICD-10 and DSM-IV) remains unclear. This disorder seems to be related to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder. Here, we present three case reports of onychophagia and co-occurring psychopathological symptoms and discuss the close relationship of onychophagia to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder and possible treatment modalities. Psychiatric evaluation of co-occurring psychopathological symptoms in patients with onychophagia, especially those with chronic, severe or complicated nail biting, may be helpful in making a choice of individual therapy. Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors seem to be the treatment of choice in severe onychophagia. Key words: onychophagia; nail biting; obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder.
Onychophagia is defined as a chronic nail biting. This condition should be distinguished from onychotillomania, another form of self-induced destruction of the nails similar to onychophagia caused by recurrent picking and manicuring of the nails. Habitual nail biting is a common behaviour among children and young adults (1). However, there are very few epidemiological data analysing the frequency of this entity in the population, and most data are limited to children and adolescents. It is estimated that 28–33% of children between 7 and 10 years of age and approximately 45% of teenagers are nail-biters (1). By the age of 18 years the frequency of this behaviour decreases, although it may persist in some adults (2). The prevalence of nail biting among people in the age range 60–69 years is believed to be between 4.5% and 10.7% (2, 3). In most cases nail biting seems to be only a cosmetic problem. However, if uncontrolled, it can cause serious morbidity. The most common complications are severe damage to the cuticles and nails, paronychia and secondary bacterial infection, self-inflicted gingival injuries, and dental problems (4, 5). Temporo-mandibular dysfunction and osteomyelitis have also been reported as a consequence of chronic nail biting (6, 7). In addition, nail biting may lead to psychological problems in some patients (e.g. significant distress). Nail biting is often embarrassing and socially undesirable.
Here, we present three case reports of onychophagia and co-occurring psychopathological symptoms and discuss the close relationship of onychophagia with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, and possible treatment modalities.
Skin Picking: Chronic, Compulsive Symptoms
A 28-year-old female patient was diagnosed with panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Onychophagia was also recognized. No family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders was found, and no alcohol or drug abuse was reported. Symptoms of panic disorder appeared 4 years before the first psychiatric consultation. Initially, she was diagnosed by general practitioner as having “anxiety neurosis”. Mitral valve prolapse syndrome was also diagnosed at the same time. The anxiety neurosis was treated with amitriptyline, doxepin, and lorazepam, with transient success. Two years later she discontinued this therapy. After one additional year a panic anxiety appeared again. At the same time symptoms of OCD occurred. She had obsessions that her children could have an accident and be hurt. She presented with compulsions of very frequent controlling and checking her children. In addition, she also reported nail biting, which had started when she was under 10 years of age. Psychiatric treatment with 175 mg clomipramine daily was introduced. All symptoms of panic disorder, OCD and onychophagia disappeared within 10 months. Pharmacotherapy was discontinued 2 months later. Clomipramine was well tolerated and no adverse events were observed during the whole treatment.
A 17-year-old female patient was diagnosed with onychophagia. No family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders and no alcohol or drug abuse were noted. No psychiatric treatment had been introduced in the past. The problem of onychophagia started in early childhood when she was under 5 years of age, and had continued until the time of examination. Due to the severity of the nail damage her family suggested that she should visit a dermatologist. On dermatological examination total damage of both thumb nails was seen (Fig. 1). The greater part of both thumb nails was totally destroyed, and the remaining parts of her nail plates were severely wrinkled with multiple cracks. After the dermatological consultation the patient was referred to a psychiatrist. Onychophagia without other mental disorders was diagnosed during psychiatric examination. Because of the severity of onychophagia psychopharmacotherapy was started. The patient received fluvoxamine, starting from 100 mg daily, and increasing to 300 mg daily; however, there was no marked improvement within 3 months. Fluvoxamine was then changed to 100 mg daily sertraline. She was also instructed to paint her nails with a lacquer. The nail biting decreased after 2 months. After another month she stopped painting her nails, but continued on sertraline, and the symptoms of onychophagia reappeared. Finally, she put false nails over her own nails while continuing sertraline therapy. This procedure resulted in a total re-growth of natural nails. At follow-up (one year later) she was still free of symptoms of onychophagia.
A 35-year-old female patient with no family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders and with no alcohol and drug abuse was referred for psychiatric consultation by a dermatologist. When she was 9 years old, “anxiety neurosis” had been diagnosed by her general practitioner and she had been treated for 9 years, taking diazepam and propranolol occasionally. The first symptoms of onychophagia appeared in early childhood when she was under 5 years old. When she was 17 years old acne was recognized by a dermatologist and she was treated with topical anti-acne preparations. Despite anti-acne treatment she developed acne excoriée, which was present until the psychiatric consultation. During psychiatric examination panic disorder and onychophagia (Fig. 2) were diagnosed. All of her fingernails were very short, with longitudinal ridges and frayed free edges of the nail plates. In some places partial loss of the nail plates was observed, as well as nail wrinkling. The patient refused any dermatological and psychiatric therapy and was lost to follow-up.
How To Stop Biting Your Nails: 12 Expert Approved Tips
Bohne et al. (8) suggested that nail biting is an under-recognized problem that
Prestly PLAY hands protective gloves exist in concept and prototype only, but this intervtion method could improve the quality of life of those with CP-induced dermatophagia.Onychophagia can be explained as a kind of a compulsion that may cause destruction of the nails. Habitual nail biting is a common behaviour among children and young adults. By the age of 18 years the frequency of this behaviour decreases, but it may persist in some adults. Nail biting is an under-recognized problem, which may occur on a continuum ranging from mild to severe. Nail biting has received little attention in the psychiatric and dermatological literature. Its position in widely accepted classifications of psychiatric disorders (ICD-10 and DSM-IV) remains unclear. This disorder seems to be related to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder. Here, we present three case reports of onychophagia and co-occurring psychopathological symptoms and discuss the close relationship of onychophagia to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder and possible treatment modalities. Psychiatric evaluation of co-occurring psychopathological symptoms in patients with onychophagia, especially those with chronic, severe or complicated nail biting, may be helpful in making a choice of individual therapy. Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors seem to be the treatment of choice in severe onychophagia. Key words: onychophagia; nail biting; obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder.
Onychophagia is defined as a chronic nail biting. This condition should be distinguished from onychotillomania, another form of self-induced destruction of the nails similar to onychophagia caused by recurrent picking and manicuring of the nails. Habitual nail biting is a common behaviour among children and young adults (1). However, there are very few epidemiological data analysing the frequency of this entity in the population, and most data are limited to children and adolescents. It is estimated that 28–33% of children between 7 and 10 years of age and approximately 45% of teenagers are nail-biters (1). By the age of 18 years the frequency of this behaviour decreases, although it may persist in some adults (2). The prevalence of nail biting among people in the age range 60–69 years is believed to be between 4.5% and 10.7% (2, 3). In most cases nail biting seems to be only a cosmetic problem. However, if uncontrolled, it can cause serious morbidity. The most common complications are severe damage to the cuticles and nails, paronychia and secondary bacterial infection, self-inflicted gingival injuries, and dental problems (4, 5). Temporo-mandibular dysfunction and osteomyelitis have also been reported as a consequence of chronic nail biting (6, 7). In addition, nail biting may lead to psychological problems in some patients (e.g. significant distress). Nail biting is often embarrassing and socially undesirable.
Here, we present three case reports of onychophagia and co-occurring psychopathological symptoms and discuss the close relationship of onychophagia with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, and possible treatment modalities.
Skin Picking: Chronic, Compulsive Symptoms
A 28-year-old female patient was diagnosed with panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Onychophagia was also recognized. No family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders was found, and no alcohol or drug abuse was reported. Symptoms of panic disorder appeared 4 years before the first psychiatric consultation. Initially, she was diagnosed by general practitioner as having “anxiety neurosis”. Mitral valve prolapse syndrome was also diagnosed at the same time. The anxiety neurosis was treated with amitriptyline, doxepin, and lorazepam, with transient success. Two years later she discontinued this therapy. After one additional year a panic anxiety appeared again. At the same time symptoms of OCD occurred. She had obsessions that her children could have an accident and be hurt. She presented with compulsions of very frequent controlling and checking her children. In addition, she also reported nail biting, which had started when she was under 10 years of age. Psychiatric treatment with 175 mg clomipramine daily was introduced. All symptoms of panic disorder, OCD and onychophagia disappeared within 10 months. Pharmacotherapy was discontinued 2 months later. Clomipramine was well tolerated and no adverse events were observed during the whole treatment.
A 17-year-old female patient was diagnosed with onychophagia. No family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders and no alcohol or drug abuse were noted. No psychiatric treatment had been introduced in the past. The problem of onychophagia started in early childhood when she was under 5 years of age, and had continued until the time of examination. Due to the severity of the nail damage her family suggested that she should visit a dermatologist. On dermatological examination total damage of both thumb nails was seen (Fig. 1). The greater part of both thumb nails was totally destroyed, and the remaining parts of her nail plates were severely wrinkled with multiple cracks. After the dermatological consultation the patient was referred to a psychiatrist. Onychophagia without other mental disorders was diagnosed during psychiatric examination. Because of the severity of onychophagia psychopharmacotherapy was started. The patient received fluvoxamine, starting from 100 mg daily, and increasing to 300 mg daily; however, there was no marked improvement within 3 months. Fluvoxamine was then changed to 100 mg daily sertraline. She was also instructed to paint her nails with a lacquer. The nail biting decreased after 2 months. After another month she stopped painting her nails, but continued on sertraline, and the symptoms of onychophagia reappeared. Finally, she put false nails over her own nails while continuing sertraline therapy. This procedure resulted in a total re-growth of natural nails. At follow-up (one year later) she was still free of symptoms of onychophagia.
A 35-year-old female patient with no family anamnesis of psychiatric disorders and with no alcohol and drug abuse was referred for psychiatric consultation by a dermatologist. When she was 9 years old, “anxiety neurosis” had been diagnosed by her general practitioner and she had been treated for 9 years, taking diazepam and propranolol occasionally. The first symptoms of onychophagia appeared in early childhood when she was under 5 years old. When she was 17 years old acne was recognized by a dermatologist and she was treated with topical anti-acne preparations. Despite anti-acne treatment she developed acne excoriée, which was present until the psychiatric consultation. During psychiatric examination panic disorder and onychophagia (Fig. 2) were diagnosed. All of her fingernails were very short, with longitudinal ridges and frayed free edges of the nail plates. In some places partial loss of the nail plates was observed, as well as nail wrinkling. The patient refused any dermatological and psychiatric therapy and was lost to follow-up.
How To Stop Biting Your Nails: 12 Expert Approved Tips
Bohne et al. (8) suggested that nail biting is an under-recognized problem that
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