Nail biting is generally considered quite an undesirable habit, and not just because it can leave your fingers looking uneven. Although nibbling on your fingertip or cuticle may not seem like a big deal, it can present serious health hazards, especially in our current germ-ridden climate.
Why do we bite our nails?
Most people bite down on them from time to time, especially if they notice something sharp or uneven that needs to be trimmed as soon as possible. But people who do it consistently are likely to bite as a form of boredom or stress relief .
And if you're prone to this, you might find that you do it a lot more during times when things feel really wild and out of control (like a pandemic).
But why does nail biting seem to help us deal with uncomfortable feelings? Basically, it is a distraction . Both boredom and stress come from a feeling of restlessness. An individual feels an internal energy and is using the behavior to calm down and feel better.
4 reasons to quit this habit
This fact is more common in children than in adults, and most people kick the habit when they reach 30. But regardless of your age, if you bite your nails frequently, we give you the best reasons to stop do what.
You are eating a lot of germs
Those who bite their nails get colds and gastrointestinal infections more often.
Although your hands tend to harbor a lot of germs in general, the area around your nails is home to even nastier bacteria. The area under the nail around the tip of a finger is home to hundreds of thousands of germs, according to a landmark May 1988 study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
That includes germs that cause disease like E. coli , according to a February 2007 study in the journal Oral Microbiology and Immunology.
Not only do the fingertips come into contact with more surfaces than other parts of the hands, but the area under the nails is warmer and more humid than the rest of the hand, making it a cozy breeding ground. for nasty insects.
And when you bite your nails, all those germs are transferred directly to your mouth, where they can easily spread to you.
Increases the risk of skin infections
Have you ever gotten dirty and a cut or wound got infected? You run the same risk when you bite them. This habit can break the skin and create small open wounds where bacteria from the fingers can easily enter.
When there is an alteration in the skin barrier from nail biting, it can carry bacteria to the deeper layers of the skin, causing an infection.
That can be as painful as it is gross. Infections around the nails tend to cause redness, tenderness, and swelling around the nail, causing it to become hard and thick. And if things get really bad, you can end up with pus that collects around the nail and eventually oozes (or worse, has to be removed).
It can damage your teeth or gums
As if the whole germ thing wasn't bad enough, biting on them also has the potential to spoil your mouth.
It can have a damaging effect on tooth enamel over time, which can lead to chips or fractures. There are even reports of nail biter suffering from displaced jaws , according to the June 2000 findings in the Journal of Periodontology.
Chewing your nails regularly can lead to nail fragments and bacteria buildup between your teeth and under your gums . And a stubborn nail below your gum line isn't just uncomfortable, it can actually irritate your gums and potentially set the stage for an infection.
Makes your breath smell
There is not much solid evidence to back this up. But if you're biting your nails and fighting bad breath, it's very possible that the entire bite is contributing to the stench.
When we consume dangerous pathogens, we run the risk of oral and systemic infections . Consumption of these microorganisms could directly or indirectly cause halitosis or bad breath.
Tricks to avoid biting your nails
Knowing that you need to get rid of the habit of biting is very different from quitting. After all, most nail bites go for a bite without even realizing it, so you may not realize it until it's actually half bite.
- Pay attention to your triggers . When you notice moments or instances where you bite, you can take steps to stay away. Do you tend to bite your nails when you are sitting waiting and getting bored? Bring a book to keep busy.
- Find another way to keep your hands or mouth busy . Have a stress ball nearby that you can squeeze when you need to do something with your fingers, and have gum handy when you feel like chewing.
- Put a bitter paint on your nails . You will immediately get a bitter taste when you put your nail in your mouth. There are even special lacquers to avoid this habit.
