Amychophilia
Amychophilia is a fetish or sexual interest involving scratches, clawing, or being scratched, usually with fingernails. The term can refer to arousal from either giving or receiving scratches, and the scratches may range from light teasing marks to more intense scratching that leaves visible traces on the skin.
The fetish is closely associated with onychophilia, or fingernail fetish, which is an attraction to the nails themselves.
Amychophilia often overlaps with rough sex, primal play, sadomasochism, marking, and other forms of consensual pain play. For some people, the appeal comes from the physical sensation itself, while for others it is tied to themes like animalistic passion, possession, aggression, or leaving a temporary mark on a partner’s body.
There are more than 300 FetLife members who say they're interested in amychophilia.
Origins of the Term
The term comes from the Greek "amychē," which means to scratch, and "philia," which refers to love or attraction.
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