Why biting your nails is bad

Special nail polishes are available that have a bitter taste to them. If your nails are coated with a nasty taste, you may condition yourself not to bite them. Find a substitute. Keep your hands busy with a stress ball, worry stone, or even a clickable pen. You might also consider chewing gum to keep your mouth occupied. Take it slow. Still biting?

Be gentle with yourself. If you've repeatedly tried to quit without success, talk to your doctor. Obioha says. Tags: Expert Advice. Popular Categories. Popular Topics. Women's Health. Expert Advice. Patient Stories. Make an Appointment. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

A: If nail biting causes physical harm and psychological distress, then professional treatment is necessary. It is important to seek help if the behavior is affecting mental and physical health:.

A: For most people, nail biting is an occasional thing. We do know that people with these conditions often have onychophagia as well:. Chronic nail biting often has a self-soothing quality it provides a sense of calm , so people may use it as a coping mechanism. The germs could also potentially infect, or cause irritation, to your gums. Also, the bacteria that is on your fingers or nails can linger in your mouth and cause halitosis, or bad breath.

Hangnails are open sores that can easily become infected. The best way to avoid the painful sores is to prevent the hangnail from forming in the first place by moisturizing regularly—and not chewing on your fingers. Most ingrown nails occur on the toenails, but biting your nails can cause your nails to grow under your skin in your fingers too.

Ingrown nails can cause pain and swelling and potentially lead to infection and require surgery. Regular nail polishes have plenty of toxins themselves, but gel polishes have chemicals that can be harmful when ingested. But you should make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:. Addressing the source of the problem may help you change the behavior. Nail biting is a repetitive behavior that ranges from mild to severe.

It usually starts in childhood. While some people outgrow it, it can become a lifelong habit. But severe nail biting can lead to infection, dental problems, and other issues that need to be treated. There are some strategies that can help you stop biting your nails.

Dermatophagia is a type of body-focused repetitive behavior. Talk to your doctor if you regularly bite your fingers and nails. Ingrown fingernails can often be treated at home, but sometimes they'll require a trip to the doctor.

Split nails are often caused by an injury such as a stubbed toe or receiving a severe blow to a finger or thumb. There are, however, other causes of…. Here are psychologists' take on it. An introvert is often thought of as a quiet, reserved, and thoughtful individual.

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