Nail Biting - A Bad Habit

Everyone has bad habits, obsessing over TV, biting the ends of pencils or cursing. But among the most frequently discussed bad habits is gnawing your nails and regrettably it’s also among the most difficult habits to get rid of.

Gnawing fingernails is a habit that usually begins in childhood. Scientific studies show 60 percent of children and 45 percent of youngsters bite their nails. Nail biting gets to be less frequent after age 18, but it may continue into adult years. Lots of grown-ups and kids are usually unaware they\'re biting their nails simply because doing this has become a habit.
The problem can vary from a minor, temporary habit to an on-going and much more serious problem.

An English man, who used to bite his nails frequently, has passed away due to his bad habit.

Why We Gnaw Nails

Anxiety and feeling of boredom are the main nail biting causes for most people. The habit is usually a way to relieve anxiety or to keep at least a part of the body active while the mind falls short of interest. Disappointment and being lonely are further psychological triggers that can result in nail biting. Some study indicates genes may be a factor.

Why it is a Bad Habit

There are actually some critical health risks associated with being a serious nail biter. Apart from having ugly nails, you can get bacterial infections and health problems just from placing your fingers in your mouth.

Nail biting generally contributes to terrible results in fingers, but in addition mouth and more commonly the digestive system. These effects are directly resulting from the physical destruction of biting or from the hands becoming an infection vector. Furthermore, it may also have a social effect.

The ten finger nails are generally equally bitten to just about the same degree. Biting nails can result in damaged skin on the cuticle. When cuticles are poorly removed, they\'re sensitive to bacterial and viral infections just like paronychia. Saliva will then redden and infect the skin. In exceptional cases, fingernails can become seriously disfigured after years of nail biting a result of the destruction of the nail bed.

How to Get Rid of

Lots of children ultimately grow out of nail biting. But for teenagers and grown-ups who still have trouble with the habit, some strategies have proven results.

1. Layer your nails with a nasty tasting nail biting polish. The unpleasant taste will prevent you from biting. You can even use a normal clear or coloured nail polish to stop nail biting. The same strategy can work with your child.
2. Keep finger nails trimmed short. You will have less of a nail to bite.
3. Get regular manicures. If you spend the money to help keep your nails looking appealing, you will be less likely to bite them.
4. Use a different strategy to handle your stress. Try out yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or squeezing a stress ball to relax you.
5. Place a rubber band around your hand and press it whenever you get the desire to bite your nails.

If you have used these strategies and nothing is doing work, put on gloves or put self-sticky bandages on the tips of your fingers so your nails will not be out there to bite.

Consult your doctor or mental health expert if fingernail biting continues in conjunction with stress and anxiety. It could possibly be an indication of a more critical emotional problem, such as OCD, which may be addressed with guidance, or medicines.

Nail biting is also associated with oral problems, just like gingival injury, and malocclusion of the anterior teeth. Additionally, it may transfer pinworms or bacteria hidden under the surface area of the nail from the anus area to the mouth. When the bitten off nails are ingested, abdomen problems can grow.