I bite/chew my skin, what is this disorder called?

I have been biting my skin since I was about 5 or 6 years old. It started with my kunckles. After a few years it went to my fingers and now I bite my hand, fingers and sometimes my feet. How can this be stopped? I have stopped before in the past but that only lasted 2 or 3 months. More than anything, I want to know if this disorder has a name and why does it happen??

This may fall under the general heading of obsessive-compulsive disorder which includes a large number of abnormal behaviors, some self-destructive. As to why it happens, I think it more appropriate to ask why are you compulsive about it? I suggest you seek therapy to discover the reason that you do this to yourself and how you can control it. I wish you much success.

Thanks for choosing my answer as the best one. Nervous habits can be hard to break especially if the stress that causes them isn't dealt with. Best of luck to you. You can do it. Report It

cannibalism........er........it's a mental issue, like smoking, it's just a habit, and a hard one at that to break. I would put cayenne pepper on the most "bitten" areas, and see how that works! Good luck, it'll get better!

I would talk to your doctor. I have had a bad habit of biting my nails my whole life. I recently just stopped one day. I only do it know when I am stressed or nervous. I think it maybe the same as biting your nails. One thing that helped me was just thinking of all the nasty germs in my nails. Try thinking of where your hands and feet have been. And what if someone walked in and saw you chewing on your feet? Try to stop yourself mentally.

mental disorder

Sorry, I forgot the name of the disorder, but I think it had 'nervo' in it.

I have also been biting the skin on my thumbs and fingers since i was small. This disorder is not bad, but is caused by being very anxious and nervous.

I'm on my second month since I stopped doing this to my thumb.
However, I still bite and chew the skin around my other fingernails.

Ah, it's like a physiological addicting process...

you have to see a doctor or try to find something else to keep your mind off of that and eventually you will forget about it. but seek professional help it may be worth it