Caleb Foster
Nail biting, or onychophagia, is a common habit that can start in childhood and continue into adulthood. While occasional nail biting is unlikely to change the way nails grow, chronic nail biting can cause irreversible damage to the nail bed and may cause nails to grow back in a different shape. However, provided the nail bed is undamaged, nails should recover even after years of biting. Establishing a regular nail care routine that includes trimming nails regularly, cleaning under the nail bed, and using moisturising hand cream and cuticle oil can help improve nail health and appearance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail growth after biting | Nails will grow back after biting, but it may take a few months for them to heal, depending on the level of damage. |
| Nail bed regeneration | Habitual nail biting can cause irreversible damage to the nail bed, and nails may grow back in a different shape. |
| Factors affecting nail growth | Age, time of year (nails grow quicker in summer), and overall health. |
| Average nail growth rate | Nails typically grow around 0.7 mm per week. |
| Complications of chronic nail biting | Shortening of the nail plate, infection of the nail folds, warts around and under the fingernails, oral cavity infection, damage to teeth, scarring, and damage to the skin around the nail. |
| Strategies to stop nail biting | Identify triggers, keep nails trimmed and clean, use bitter-tasting nail polish, wear gloves or bandages, engage in alternative activities to keep hands busy, seek professional help if necessary. |
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What You'll Learn
Nail biting can indicate underlying mental health issues
Nail biting, or onychophagia, is a common habit that can have negative consequences for nail health, dental health, and overall wellbeing. While it is often a benign behaviour, nail biting can sometimes indicate underlying mental health issues.
Nail biting is considered a pathological oral habit and grooming disorder when it becomes chronic and seemingly uncontrollable, causing damage to the nails and surrounding tissue. This behaviour can be associated with underlying mental health disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, separation anxiety, enuresis, tic disorder, and other mental health issues. Doctors have also ascribed nail biting to conditions like OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.
The habit often arises from a need to cope with negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, or frustration. It can also be a transferred habit from earlier thumb or finger sucking. Nail biting may be a way to seek stimulation when bored or to relieve tension, with individuals reporting distressful feelings of unease prior to biting.
Additionally, nail biting can run in families, suggesting a potential genetic component or learned behaviour. However, it is important to note that not everyone who bites their nails has a mental health disorder, and the behaviour can often be a temporary and relatively non-destructive habit.
If you are concerned about nail biting and its potential impact on your mental health, it is advisable to seek professional help. A doctor or therapist can provide guidance and support to address both the behaviour and any underlying mental health concerns.
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Strategies to stop nail biting
Strategies to stop nail-biting:
Identifying triggers is a strategy recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). Nail biting is often an unconscious habit, so identifying triggers can be challenging. However, noting down the times when you find yourself biting your nails can help. For example, were you bored, stressed, or anxious? Were there any physical triggers, such as hangnails? Once you have identified your triggers, you can develop a plan to avoid or address them.
You can also try to keep your nails trimmed short. Having less nail provides less to bite and can be less tempting. Similarly, you can apply bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails. This safe, but awful-tasting formula discourages many people from biting their nails. Alternatively, you can cover your nails with tape or wear gloves to prevent biting.
Another strategy is to replace the nail-biting habit with a good one. For example, you can try playing with a stress ball, fidget toy, or fidget ring instead. These can help keep your hands busy and occupied, redirecting the restless energy that can lead to nail-biting.
Additionally, consider giving yourself regular manicures and taking care of your natural nails. You can apply cuticle oil and lotion as often as possible and file your nails into a smooth shape. Keeping your nails looking their best may make you less likely to bite them.
It is important to note that nail biting can sometimes be a sign of emotional or psychological distress or more serious mental health disorders. If you have repeatedly tried to quit and are unable to do so, consider consulting a doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.
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Potential health complications of nail biting
Nail biting, or onychophagia, is a common habit, with up to 30% of the population biting their nails. However, chronic nail biting can lead to several potential health complications. Firstly, nail biters may experience dental problems such as misaligned or chipped teeth. Additionally, there may be damage to the skin and cuticles around the nail, including scarring and progressive nail shortening. Repeated nail biting can also cause infections in the nail, mouth, or stomach due to the ingestion of bacteria. In more severe cases, nail biting may be a sign of underlying psychiatric illnesses or obsessive-compulsive disorders. It can also be related to other body-focused repetitive behaviors such as skin picking, hair pulling, and cheek biting.
The causes of nail biting vary from person to person. It often begins as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, anxiety, boredom, or loneliness. It can also be a side effect of medication or a pathologic continuation of thumb or finger-sucking habits that should have phased out by age 3. Identifying the triggers for nail biting can be challenging, but it is crucial to breaking the habit. Behavioral therapy, self-care practices such as regular meals and movement, relaxation techniques, and addressing any underlying psychiatric disorders can all help to stop nail biting.
While long-term damage from nail biting is rare, it can occur, especially if the bitten-off nails are swallowed. Minor issues may not require medical attention, but it is important to seek treatment if nail biting is causing physical damage or signs of infection, such as redness, pain, or swelling. Additionally, if nail biting is causing psychological distress or affecting one's social or professional life, consulting a mental health provider is advisable.
Quitting nail biting is possible for most people, and various techniques can be employed to break the habit. These include applying nail-biting remedies or gel overlays, keeping your hands occupied with stress toys or fidget rings, and addressing any underlying emotional triggers. Proper nail hygiene, such as keeping nails trimmed and filed, can also help in the recovery process.
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How to take care of nails after biting them
Yes, nails will grow back after biting, typically growing around 0.7mm per week. However, habitual nail biting can cause irreversible damage to the nail bed and may cause your nails to grow back in a different shape.
Identify triggers and address the habit
Try to identify what triggers the urge to bite your nails. Are you stressed, anxious, or bored? By figuring out what causes you to bite your nails, you can work on addressing the habit and develop strategies to avoid or manage these triggers. This may involve working with a mental health professional to develop healthier coping strategies.
Keep nails trimmed and maintained
Keep your nails clean and trimmed to promote nail hygiene and reduce the risk of infection. Having shorter nails also reduces the temptation to bite them. You can also file your nails instead of cutting them, as filing is less damaging to the nails.
Apply nail treatments
Use nail-biting deterrents such as an unpleasant-tasting nail polish or a bitter apple mixture made with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and water. Alternatively, you can apply cuticle oil or pure jojoba oil to moisturize your nails and cuticles, helping them recover and become stronger.
Protect your nails
Cover your nails with tape or wear gloves to make it more difficult to bite them. You can also get a professional manicure or paint your nails at home to make you less likely to bite them.
Keep your hands occupied
Replace the nail-biting habit with healthier alternatives. When you feel the urge to bite your nails, try playing with a stress ball, fidget toy, or fidget ring instead. Keeping your hands busy with activities like knitting, doodling, or squeezing a stress ball can also help redirect the habit.
Maintain a healthy diet and hydration
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to support healthy nail growth. A well-balanced diet can also contribute to nail health, ensuring your nails receive the necessary nutrients for growth and strength.
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Will nail beds grow back?
Nail biting is a common habit that can be challenging to break. It can be a sign of underlying stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. The good news is that nail beds can grow back, and there are several steps you can take to support their recovery and improve the overall health of your nails.
First, it's important to address the habit of nail-biting. This may involve identifying triggers, such as stress or anxiety, and finding alternative ways to cope with these emotions. Keeping your hands occupied with stress toys, fidget spinners, playdough, or wearing a fidget ring can help distract you from the urge to bite your nails. Additionally, applying nail-biting remedies or a clear builder gel can act as a barrier and protect your nails from biting.
Once you have addressed the nail-biting habit, you can focus on promoting nail bed growth and improving nail health. Nails typically grow slowly, at a rate of about 2.5 millimeters per month, and it can take up to 6 months for a new fingernail to grow back completely. During this time, it's essential to take care of your nails and nail beds. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and proper nail care practices such as trimming, filing, and moisturising. Applying nail oil and regularly wearing nail polish can also help keep your nails strong and protect them as they grow.
While genetics play a significant role in determining the size and shape of your nail beds, there are ways to make them appear longer. Pushing back your cuticles allows your nails to grow longer, giving the appearance of longer nail beds. Additionally, treating any fungal nail infections can help the nail plate reattach to the nail bed, promoting healthier and longer-looking nails.
It's important to note that if a nail separates from the nail bed, it will not reattach. In such cases, the best course of action is to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection while waiting for a new nail to grow back, which can take several months.
In summary, nail beds can grow back, but it requires patience and dedication. By addressing the habit of nail-biting, adopting healthy nail care practices, and following the tips mentioned above, you can support the recovery of your nail beds and improve the overall health and appearance of your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, your nails will grow back, but it may take a few months, depending on the level of damage. If you've bitten your nails to the extent that the nail bed is damaged, your nails may grow back in a different shape.
To help your nails grow back, you can establish a regular nail care routine. This includes trimming your nails regularly, cleaning under the nail bed, and using a moisturising hand cream to keep them hydrated. You can also use cuticle oil, which contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can strengthen and repair damaged nails.
To stop biting your nails, you should first identify your triggers. Nail biting is often caused by stress, anxiety, or boredom, so finding alternative ways to cope with these emotions can help. You can also try bitter-tasting nail polish, keeping your nails painted, or wearing gloves to deter nail biting.
