Noah Sinclair
Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, is a common habit that can begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. While it may seem harmless, chronic nail biting can lead to various issues, including damage to the nails and surrounding skin, and an increased risk of bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, it can give the appearance of shorter nail beds due to reduced whiteness at the tip. To address this habit, individuals can try awareness training, identify triggers, and develop competing responses or alternative coping mechanisms. Seeking professional help may also be beneficial in understanding and managing nail biting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is nail biting common? | Yes, up to 30% of the population bites their nails. |
| When does nail biting typically start? | Nail biting typically begins in childhood and can continue through adulthood. |
| What are the side effects of nail biting? | Nail biting can make the skin around your nails sore, damage the tissue that makes nails grow, and result in abnormal-looking nails. It can also leave you vulnerable to infection as you pass harmful bacteria and viruses from your mouth to your fingers and from your nails to your face and mouth. |
| Can nail biting cause short nails? | Yes, if you bite your nails long-term, the nail itself becomes shorter over time. If you damage the nail bed, you may see a shortening of the nail such that it only grows to a certain point. |
| How to stop biting nails? | Some ways to stop biting nails include keeping your nails trimmed short, applying bitter-tasting nail polish, getting regular manicures, using fidget toys, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). |
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What You'll Learn
Biting nails increases the risk of infection
Biting your nails can have several negative consequences, including damaged nails and skin, dental problems, and an increased risk of infection. While nail biting is a common habit, with up to 30% of the population engaging in it, it can potentially lead to health issues that warrant medical attention.
Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, is often a coping mechanism for dealing with emotions such as nervousness, boredom, loneliness, or hunger. It typically starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood, with some individuals struggling to break the habit. Repeated nail biting can cause soreness in the surrounding skin and damage the tissue responsible for nail growth, resulting in abnormal-looking nails.
Chronic nail biting increases the risk of infection by transferring harmful bacteria and viruses from the mouth to the fingers and from the nails to the face and mouth. This can lead to skin or nail infections, with bacteria entering through small cuts or cracks created by biting. Paronychia, a common nail infection, results from bacterial or fungal invasion, causing inflammation and affecting the nail fold and cuticle. Most cases of paronychia can be treated with antibiotics, although some infections persist or recur.
Additionally, nail biting can introduce bacteria into the oral cavity, potentially leading to stomach or intestinal infections. Ingesting bitten nails can also cause long-term damage, although such cases are rare. Certain types of bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae, have been found in higher concentrations in the oral cavity of nail biters, posing risks for systemic diseases and conditions.
To reduce the risk of infection and improve overall health, it is advisable to break the nail-biting habit. This can be achieved through gradual behaviour replacement, such as squeezing a stress ball or chewing gum, identifying triggers, and seeking professional help through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) if necessary.
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Nail biting can cause dental issues
Biting your nails can have several negative consequences for your dental health. Firstly, the friction of teeth grinding against nails can wear away tooth enamel, leading to chipping and cracking of teeth. This can cause significant pain and further dental issues. Additionally, nail biting can cause teeth to shift, leading to malocclusions (problems with the bite) and gaps between teeth.
One of the most serious potential outcomes of nail biting is root resorption, where the jawbone reabsorbs the roots of the teeth, weakening them and making them more susceptible to falling out. This risk is especially high for individuals with wire braces. The habit can also lead to gum disease, as dirt and germs trapped under fingernails are transferred to the mouth, causing infections and damaging the gums. Furthermore, nail biters are at an increased risk of developing bruxism, a condition characterised by chronic teeth grinding, which brings its own set of oral health complications, including headaches, facial pain, recessed gums, and tooth sensitivity.
The accumulation of bacteria under the fingernails is another concern. When nails are bitten, these bacteria are transferred to the mouth and gut, potentially causing severe gastrointestinal infections. This includes dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Paronychia, a serious infection of the fingertips, can also develop, resulting in redness, swelling, and pus that requires surgical drainage.
In summary, nail biting can lead to various dental issues, including tooth erosion, chipping, and cracking, as well as malocclusions and gaps. More severe consequences may include root resorption, gum disease, and an increased risk of bruxism. The transfer of bacteria from nails to the mouth can also result in gastrointestinal infections and paronychia. It is important to address nail-biting habits to mitigate these potential dental complications and maintain oral health.
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Manicures can help break the habit
Biting your nails can be a difficult habit to break. It often starts in childhood as a nervous habit and can continue into adulthood. It can cause dental problems, damage to the tissue that makes nails grow, and leave you vulnerable to infection.
One way to break the habit is to get a manicure. A manicure can help you stop biting your nails by making your nails look nice, giving you less incentive to bite them. This method has worked for many people. As one person describes:
> "It's the strangest thing to me but it's been working and my nails have never looked better."
Another person describes how structured gel manicures have helped them:
> "I'd still like to pretend I have healthy hands from palm to fingertip without the mess and maintenance of chunky, nail-damaging acrylics or the dead giveaway of press-ons. [...] I prefer to treat myself to a seat at the nail salon for a lavish structured gel manicure, swapping out my naturally E.T.-like fingertips for the look of strong, nibble-free [nails]."
Gel nail extensions can help protect your real nails from cracks and breaks, allowing them to grow longer and stronger. Structured gel manicures can also help the skin under the free edge of your nails to reattach if it has been torn from nail biting.
However, it is important to note that a bad manicure can weaken your nails and make you more likely to bite them. It is recommended to find a manicurist who is knowledgeable and experienced in the process of structured gel manicures.
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Trimming nails short may help prevent biting
There are several downsides to nail-biting. Firstly, it can make your nails grow in abnormally. Secondly, it can cause dental problems such as misalignment and chipped teeth. Thirdly, it can damage the tissue that makes nails grow, and cause skin damage, making it easier for germs to enter your body and cause infection. Finally, nail-biters may also swallow bacteria that can lead to stomach or intestinal infections.
To prevent nail-biting, dermatologists recommend keeping nails trimmed short. This provides less nail to bite and is, therefore, less tempting. It is also recommended to apply bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails, which discourages biting. Painting or covering your nails may also help, as you are less likely to bite them if they look nice.
Other tips to prevent nail-biting include identifying your triggers and developing a plan to avoid or cope with these situations. For example, if boredom is a trigger, you could try to keep your hands or mouth busy by playing with a stress ball or fidget toy, or chewing gum. You could also try to replace the habit of nail-biting with a good habit, such as squeezing a stress ball or playing with a fidget toy when you feel the urge to bite your nails.
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Nail biting may indicate underlying anxiety
Biting your nails can make them shorter over time, especially if you damage the nail bed—the area under the hard part of the nail. Nail biting, also called onychophagia, is a common habit, with up to 30% of the population biting their nails. It typically starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. While it can be a relatively harmless cosmetic concern, it can also indicate underlying anxiety or other emotional or psychological problems.
Nail biting is frequently associated with anxiety, as the act of chewing on nails reportedly relieves stress, tension, or boredom. People who bite their nails often do so when they feel nervous, bored, lonely, or even hungry. It can become an automatic coping mechanism to regulate emotions and bring relief, at the expense of fueling a distressing habit. About 25% of people who bite their nails have an anxiety disorder, and those who use nail biting as a primary coping mechanism may struggle with longer-term symptoms related to anxiety if they don't learn other tools to manage their emotions.
Pathological or severe, uncontrollable nail biting is the most common body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). People with BFRBs may also engage in other behaviors such as skin picking, hair pulling, or thumb or finger sucking. These behaviors are related to obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some people have a genetic tendency toward them. There may be a link between onychophagia and higher-than-average rates of mood and anxiety disorders in immediate family members. Additionally, nail biting that begins suddenly in adulthood may be a side effect of medication.
If you want to stop biting your nails, it's important to identify your triggers, whether they are physical, such as hangnails, or emotional, such as boredom, stress, or anxiety. Once you know your triggers, you can develop a plan to avoid or manage those situations and replace nail biting with healthier habits, such as playing with a stress ball or fidget toy, chewing gum, or keeping your nails trimmed short and well-maintained. If you're unable to break the habit on your own, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help address the psychological aspects of nail biting.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you bite your nails for a long time, the nail itself becomes shorter over time. If you damage the nail bed, you will see a shortening of the nail, and this can be irreversible if the behaviour persists for many years.
Nail biting can cause short-term issues like dental problems such as misalignment and chipped teeth. It can also damage the tissue that makes nails grow, resulting in abnormally-shaped nails. It can also lead to infections, both in your nails and your mouth, as you pass harmful bacteria and viruses from your mouth to your fingers and vice versa.
Nail biting is a common habit, with up to 30% of the population doing it. It typically begins in childhood and can be a coping mechanism for feelings of boredom, stress, loneliness, or hunger. It can also be a sign of a more serious psychological or emotional problem, such as anxiety.
There are several strategies you can try to stop biting your nails. Identifying your triggers can help you develop a plan to avoid or manage those situations. You can also try replacing the habit with a healthier one, such as playing with a stress ball or fidget toy, or squeezing your hands into fists when you feel the urge to bite. Keeping your nails trimmed short can also reduce the temptation to bite them.
If you are struggling to quit nail biting on your own, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help address the psychological aspects of the behaviour. In some cases, psychiatric medications may be necessary.
