Dear Dr. Archer,
I fell a couple of months ago which resulted in some pretty bad scarring on my arms. That's the reason I'm thinking about what I'm about to ask.
Many moons ago I used to live with my dad abroad. I'll never forget while driving with him one day we saw a terrible burn victim riding his moped. My father is a physician and is very smart.
That said, when we passed this poor man on his moped, my father started talking about a condition, or fetish, where one becomes sexually aroused when they see such disfigurements. He carried on and on about this for awhile.
I paid attention to what he was saying, but only thought of it over the years a few times. Now that I have these scars, it has come to my mind once again. I don't know the name of it, and I don't feel like calling my dad because he will carry on about the scars and so forth.
It's silly, really, and I'm just curious if you've heard of this. Obviously you know about fetishes, being in the field you're in. I thank you so much!
Mary
Dear Mary,
Teratophilia is the sexual attraction to a deformed person. A burn victim would definitely be included in this group. There's also a blood fetish, in which one derives satisfaction from watching another bleed.
Scars can be a turn on as well, but the fresh cut is considered the best. Believe it or not, there is a large underground community who enjoy this fetish. The partner may be deliberately cut with a knife to draw the blood, and sometimes licking and drinking the blood follows.
Symphorophiles get sexually aroused by severe accidents. Often automobile related and Emetophiles are turned on by vomit. Erotophonophilia is a murder fetish and thought to be the driving force behind many serial killers. Check here for
The 12 Most Disgusting Fetishes— but I warn you, it's not for the faint of heart.
So, yes, Mary, I have heard about it, and as you can see there are a lot more bizarre fetishes out there. I hope this gives you the answer you were looking for. And from now on, let’s be careful out there. Take care.
Dr. Archer
