Habit of Nail Biting
Nail biting habit typically begins in childhood and may accelerate during adolescence. It is not always clear why someone develops this habit, but mostly it is associated with stress or anxiety.
25-30% of children bite their nails. During childhood the incidence of nail biting is similar in boys and girls but during adolescence and adulthood, more boys than girls bite their nails.
How to stop biting your nails?
- Keep the hands occupied with a fidget device, for example a stress ball.
- Trim or manicure nails often.
- Coat nails with bitter polish.
- Identify the trigger which is causing you to bite nails.
Side effects and risks of nail-biting:
Most nail biters do not develop long-term damage but sometimes it can happen.
- Illness due to harmful bacteria and viruses from the fingers to the mouth.
- Fungal infection.
- Harm to teeth such as chipping and misalignment of teeth.
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) pain and dysfunction.
- In addition, habits like swallowing bitten off nails can increase the risk of stomach and intestinal infection.
When to see a doctor?
- Nails that have stopped growing.
- Ingrown nails.
- Nail discoloration.
- Skin infection around the nail.
- Bleeding around the nails.
- Swelling or pain around the nails.
Most of the time nail biting is a harmless cosmetic problem that doesn’t require medical care, but severe nail biting can lead to infection, dental problems and other issues that need to be treated.
You can schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Seema Bansal for more informantion.
How important is this piece of information ! Thankyou for sharing
Thankyou Komal for the feedback
Small but vital info .esp we don’t realise these things unless reminded by someone
Thankyou Jaya for the feedback
Very well explained!!!
Thankyou Sneha for your feedback
Very nicely explained. It is such a common habit which people generally ignore, this article is very helpful.
Thankyou Garima for your comment
Very informative as always.
Thankyou Aastha for the feedback
I had undergone the orthodontic treatment 5 years back and at that time I had a severe nail biting habit. You advised me a regular trimming of nails and I am happy to share that now I am free of this habit. Thank you very much. This is a very nice writeup.
Thankyou Sumit for your feedback Happy to know your habit of nail biting has gone .
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