“It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.”
-David Hume
Definition
Acarophilia is when you get sexual pleasure from scratching. The great thing about a scratching kink is that you don’t have to know much about it to do it. Scratching can be light or it can be hard. A lot of times people get into scratching accidentally. Maybe they scratch up their partners back during sex and then they see the scratch marks the next day and get aroused. Ultimately, scratching is sensation play.
Start Scratching
Acarophilia requires no training, no special classes, no books – it doesn’t even require fingernails! Anyone can scratch. You can use your fingernails or an implement like a nail or other pointed object. To start off with scratching it is a good idea to start off light. Scratching is mostly about the sensation, so start with a lighter sensation and then go deeper as you and your partner desire.
What Acarophilia Isn’t
Scratching is not a submissive/Dominant thing. It is about sensation. You do not have to be in a BDSM relationship or play situation to enjoy scratching. Many people scratch erotically during missionary sex. Scratching is also not about wanting to give or receive pain. It is about the sensation of the scratching and the sensation of the scratches afterwords. Depending on how hard you scratch, the scratched area can become sensitive and that sensitivity can be an erotic stimulus just by feeling its soreness.
Safety
Because acarophilia can involve breaking the skin, you want to make sure to follow some safety precautions. Make sure your nails are clean and there is no dirt of debris. It is a good idea to not only wash your hands but use a nail brush to really scrub. Our nails hold a lot of bacteria and that bacteria can easily cause an infection. Make sure your partner has bathed and is clean. Even if your nails are clean if their skin is dirty it can introduce bacteria into the scratch and cause an infection. It is a good idea to keep a first aid kit handy. If you break the skin, clean and disinfect the scratches. If they are bleeding you may want to apply bandages.