Does Nail Biting cause permanent damage?
Nail-biting, or onychophagia, is a condition that involves chewing on the nails, cuticles and soft tissue around the nail beds. Nail biting is a common habit that affects people of any age. It is a bad habit, which may result due to a number of different factors. Some people may not be even aware that they have developed the habit of nail biting because they might bite their nails unconsciously. Many people wonder whether nail biting causes any permanent damage. Although nail biting is an unhygienic habit, it isn’t likely to cause any long term damage.
Effects of Nail Biting
The most common effects of nail biting are nails that look uneven and jagged, torn and bloody cuticles and swollen, red fingertips. There is the risk that the skin around the nails will be become infected and it is also an extremely unhygienic habit, bacteria, dirt and germs live under your fingernails. Every time you put your nails into your mouth, you're spreading those germs right into your bloodstream.
The first step in stopping this habit is to identify what’s causing it and resolving whatever problems you have. The most common treatment, which is cheap and widely available, is to apply a clear, bitter-tasting nail polish to the nails. Mouthpieces that prevent nail-biting are also available. Nail cosmetics can also help to ameliorate nail biting social effects.
Effects of Nail Biting
The most common effects of nail biting are nails that look uneven and jagged, torn and bloody cuticles and swollen, red fingertips. There is the risk that the skin around the nails will be become infected and it is also an extremely unhygienic habit, bacteria, dirt and germs live under your fingernails. Every time you put your nails into your mouth, you're spreading those germs right into your bloodstream.
The first step in stopping this habit is to identify what’s causing it and resolving whatever problems you have. The most common treatment, which is cheap and widely available, is to apply a clear, bitter-tasting nail polish to the nails. Mouthpieces that prevent nail-biting are also available. Nail cosmetics can also help to ameliorate nail biting social effects.