Is it normal i eat my skin?

Ever since 2nd grade, I have eaten the skin off my fingers. I literally eat the skin right off. At first, I would eat my skin, up until it was red, painful, and would bleed. Now, I only eat a very thin layer of it, and my skin hasn't bled for several years now. I only eat my fingertips, except for my thumbs, where I will eat the middle joint on the inner side, so where the thumb bends, but on the same side as my palm. After many years I have been able to stop eating 7 of my fingers, but my thumbs and one of my index fingers are still causing me trouble. I have always wanted to stop, but it seems to happen over time. I just suddenly stop eating parts of my fingers at a random time, usually 1 finger about every 2 years. My brother and sister always make fun of me all the time for being a "self-cannibal," which is pretty much true. My parents found out about this when I was in 4th grade, I believe. They never mentioned it being harmful, they just said it was gross. The skin on my fingertips has always been raw, and there hasn't ever been much feeling in them, due to the rawness.

Voting Results
59% Normal
Based on 234 votes (137 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • Pencekins

    I DO IT TOO! WHAT THE HELL!

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  • iloveyou24

    Well, some ways to stop doing that is to maybe put something that you don't like on your finger nails & fingers or something that taste horrible & then maybe, just maybe you don't eat or pick at them. Most of the time if there is something nasty or weird on your hands you wont try & "eat" them. Good Luck!

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    • Kutiekat

      This is actually legit advice. For me, I put on lots of hand sanitizer (and that stuff tastes nasty!) so it made me stop biting my fingers and the skin around them. But then, i got braces and i cant even bite my fingers or nails if i tried.

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  • I do this same exact thing. Especially under the thumb. And i chew on my right hand middle knuckle until it bleeds and hurts REALLY bad. I have been diagnosed with OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder. You most likely have it as well. Dose it ever feel like you need to get the right amount of bits on your fingers? It has to be even? :D

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    • Kutiekat

      Biting of the fingers and nails (after it is no longer just a habit) can turn into a nervous habit or if you are under stress. I wouldn't necessarily call it OCD, but try channeling your anxiety elsewhere, maybe that will help.

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  • CrystalMoonlight

    I do it a little, but not until my skin is red and raw, just if there is a little bit loose or anything I'll pick at it and bite it off but then I'll stop. I don't go futher than that.

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  • bite your nails, or bite a lemon. Problem solved

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  • Chelfree9

    I do that too!

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  • mary127

    i used to do that too. but only the fingertips. now i cant because i had braces and somehow my teeth dont fully touch in front.

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  • diamondsrforever

    i been doing it for twenty years. love to build up some skin after quiting for a few days. amazed by how quick it grows back. love doing the side of my thumbs. and to others watching it only looks like im biting my fingernails. mmm mm glad im not alone!

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  • aloush1996

    Yes it's normal I do that too . Some people say that it's caused by stress all the time witch u'll bite ur fingers to fell pain so you can forget about the situation. Other dudes say that u need rehab /: that's my opinion :)

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  • I ate my skin, from my blister, in the shower today.

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    • Kutiekat

      This is so irrelevant and off topic. Plus, the grammar is terrible.

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  • Well, it sounds really really weird, but as long as ur stopping it sounds sort of normal

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  • LadyLykaois

    I do that too, it's a form of OCD called Dermatophagia.

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