What is Dermatophagia?
We often see masses or ourselves burn our nails when under stress or when watch out an exciting musket ball biz . This is quite normal but in some people this habit of biting nails becomes a habit to such an extent that they pop out chewing on their own skin , especially near the nail so much so that there is bleeding from the area . This behavior is strange and is medically term as Dermatophagia and is submit to be a form of an obsessive driven upset and people lose from this condition are called as “ Wolf Biters . ”
People with Dermatophagia do not require a nerve-wracking berth to get going prick their skin but they tend to do it every now and then and find huge pleasure in doing it even if it lead in life-threatening equipment casualty to the skin and bleeding . This is why it is extremely important to identify the disorderliness , accept it , and treat it in a timely style before permanent damage to the skin occur .
What Causes Dermatophagia?
As stated , Dermatophagia has been relate to be a form of an OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder . OCD is a mental condition in which an individual starts having obsessional persuasion like washing the hands for veneration of germ insert the body and does it repetitively cause more harm than unspoilt . In Dermatophagia , the patient feels relief after biting and jaw the cutis for some before he or she set about dying again and starts to sting and chew the pelt again . In some report , Dermatophagia has been stated to have a genetic tie-in to it , as it has been noted that many people with this precondition tend to have family fellow member with the same upset . Some of the other causal agent that may result in Dermatophagia are a traumatic childhood , extreme strain , and sometimes ennui .
What are the Signs of Dermatophagia?
Below mentioned are some of the signs that will assure you whether your loved one is suffering from Dermatophagia or not .
cutis discolouration : A mortal may find that he or she bites the nails or skin only during stressful situations but in actuality this may have become a habit and the person may be doing it subconsciously . A person with Dermatophagia will have discolored nails and so keep a sentinel for discolored nails due to habitual biting .
Skin terms : A person with Dermatophagia will have signs of substantial skin damage in and around the nails with unreasonable scarring around it . It is important here to find out if the affected role does it on purpose to still anxiety or does it subconsciously without even noting about it .
Bleeding : Dermatophagia patients will have sign of frequent hemorrhage from the peel . If it is just a one off case then it is fine but when it becomes frequent it is a case of concern and may hint Dermatophagia .
Calluses : Dermatophagia patient will also have signs of calluses make around the country where the patient bites the hide or nails . The fingernails will also depend disfigured . This is a serious cause of care as this may predispose the patient to infection or lasting damage to the skin .
How is Dermatophagia Treated?
Patients with Dermatophagia ask psychologic treatments for get rid of this condition . Some of the ways that the psychologists utilize to get rid of Dermatophagia are :
Behavior Modification Therapy for Dermatophagia : In this case of therapy , the psychologist advocate to polish the nail with something which has a smell which is not pleasant to the olfactory organ . This may go a tenacious way of life to forfend habitual biting of the nail . Artificial nail are also recommend which are made of acrylic or gelatin because of which the affected role will come out avoiding chew and bite the nails and skin .
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Dermatophagia : In this type of therapy , the patient is encourage to spill the beans about his or her trouble . In this way , it is believed that the patient can get rid of any nonadaptive emotion or behaviors that may be leading the affected role to biting the nail and chew the tegument . In this shape of discourse , goals are set and the Dr. and the patient both knead together to facilitate reach the goal .
Medical Treatment for Dermatophagia : Dermatophagia can also be process by medication . Antidepressants are the most common shape of medicament used to treat Dermatophagia . It is important to note here that antidepressants are only to be used under the genial wellness professional ’s guidance and should not be abused or misused in the name of Dermatophagia .
