Dermatophagia is what’s known as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). People with this condition gnaw at and eat their skin, leaving it bloody, damaged, and scarred. It’s a condition that’s been around for a long time. In fact, it was first described in the 19th century. But it’s only recently that scientists have been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the condition.
And now, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has found that it may be linked to a genetic mutation that affects the way the body’s immune system responds to bacteria and viruses.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, could lead to new treatments for people who suffer from this type of skin-eating behavior, as well as new ways to prevent and treat it.
“This is the first study to show that BFRBs are caused by a mutation in a gene that regulates the immune response to pathogens,” said study co-author and UCSF professor of dermatology and pediatrics, Dr. Daniela Rus, PhD.
Table of Contents
Why do I pick my skin and eat it?
People with dermatophagia—literally meaning “skin eating”—regularly experience the urge to bite their own skin. This disorder falls into the body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) family and is widely accepted as being related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with this disorder: Skin eating can be a symptom of OCD, but it can also occur in people who have not been diagnosed with OCD or who are not aware of their condition. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can vary from person to person.
For example, some people may not have any symptoms at all, while others may have severe symptoms that interfere with their ability to function in daily life. In some cases, a person may be able to eat only a small amount of food at a time. Others may eat a large amount, or even eat the entire skin on their body.
Is dermatillomania a mental illness?
This condition is also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder and falls under the category of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Symptoms of skin picking disorder can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms are itching, redness, and swelling of the hands, feet, or face.
In some cases, the skin may be red and inflamed. Skin picking can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Is skin picking a form of OCD?
Skin picking disorder is related to obsessive compulsive disorder. It can be triggered by a lot of things. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as anti-depressants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
What is eating your own skin called?
A person with dermatophagia bites, chews, and eats their skin. It often affects the skin around people’s fingers. Dermatophagia is an emerging concept in mental health care.
Why can’t I stop picking my scabs?
If you can’t stop picking your skin, you may have a very common condition called skin picking disorder (SPD). It can be nearly impossible for people with SPD to stop picking at a scab. SPD is a disorder that causes you to pick or scratch at the skin on your face, neck, arms, hands, feet, or other parts of your body.
It can happen at any time of the day or night, and it may be triggered by a number of different things, such as stress, anxiety, stress hormones, alcohol, medications, physical activity, sleep deprivation, emotional stress or depression.
SPD can also be caused by other medical conditions high blood pressure;
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- : heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Other neurodegenerative diseases
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (ocd)
- Eating disorders
migraine headaches and migraines irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) chronic fatigue syndrome
post-traumatic stress disorder
If you have any of these conditions or if you think you might have one of them, talk to your doctor.
Is skin picking an addiction?
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder (SPD) is often conceptualized as a behavioral addiction in which aberrant reward processing may lead to compulsive skin picking behavior. However, it is important to note that the term “skin picking disorder” is not synonymous with the DSM-IV-TR definition of SPD. In fact, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Skin picking is a behavior that involves picking at the skin of a person’s body, usually in response to a stimulus (e.g., an object, sound, smell, or touch) that is perceived as threatening or painful. Skin picking can occur in individuals of all ages, but is most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults.
How common is skin-picking disorder?
It’s possible that skin picking disorder affects as many as 20 people. Research shows that skin picking disorder occurs more frequently in women than in men. Skin picking is a disorder in which a person picks at their skin with their fingernails or toenails. The person may also pick at other parts of their body, such as their face, neck, arms, legs, or feet.
People with this disorder can have a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. ;
- Some of the most common symptoms include: itching
- Burning
- Tingling
- And/or numbness in the hands
- Feet
- Mouth
- Lips
- Tongue
- Throat
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Swelling
- Peeling
- Crusting
- Hands
- Feet; burning or stinging sensations on the skin;
discoloration or other changes in skin color or texture.
In some cases, the person’s skin may be so damaged that they can no longer feel their fingers or toes.
Other people may have no symptoms at all. It is important to note that not all people who pick their own skin will experience these symptoms.
