Dermatophagia (from Ancient Greek δέρμα (derma) 'skin' and φαγεία (phageia) 'eating') or dermatodaxia (from δήξις (dexis) 'biting')[3] is a compulsion disorder of gnawing or biting one's own skin, most commonly at the fingers.

In herpetology, dermatophagia is used to correctly describe the act in which amphibians and reptiles eat the skin they shed,[5] but this is not what occurs in humans.

[10] Habit reversal training and variants thereof, like decoupling, are recommended for body-focused repetitive behaviors, including dermatophagia.

These brackets do not hinder movement or tactile feedback, and they are constructed from non-toxic durable plastic that can withstand the force of chewing.

[12] Presently PLAY hands protective gloves exist in concept and prototype only, but this intervention method could improve the quality of life of those with CP-induced dermatophagia.