Nail-biting (Onychophagia)

Nail-biting (onychophagia) is a common "nervous" stress-relieving habit. People usually do this unconsciously (yeah its awful how sometimes our subconscious control our activities and makes us do things we don't even like to!)Reasons identified by scientists are boredom/inactivity, stress, excitement or sometimes, they say ,its a learned behavior from people one interacts with!

What it Does to You??

When one bites his/her nails, he is actually inviting germs into his own skin (he is a breaking the skin and leaving it open for germs)." In fact, some people bite their nails and cuticles down so far, they bleed! When germs invade, they can get an infection."

That's not it! There's more..the germs one has invited himself shall definitely enter his mouth as well. Think about all the dirty stuff your hands/nails come into contact all day! Think of getting it all in your mouth!!

How To Control??


So how to control this filthy habit? Here are a few advices from this particular website. Some focus on behavior changes and some focus on physical barriers to nail-biting.

• Keep your nails trimmed and filed. Taking care of your nails can help reduce your nail-biting habit and encourage you to keep your nails attractive.
• Have a manicure regularly or use nail polish. Men can use a clear polish. Wearing artificial nails may stop you from biting your nails and protect them as they grow out.
• Try stress-management techniques if you bite your nails because you are anxious or stressed.
• Paint a bitter-tasting polish, on your nails. The awful taste will remind you to stop every time you start to bite your nails.
• Try substituting another activity, such as drawing or writing or squeezing a stress ball or Silly Putty, when you find yourself biting your nails. If you keep a record of nail-biting, you will become more aware of the times when you bite your nails and be able to stop the habit.
• Wear gloves, adhesive bandages, or colored stickers whenever possible to remind you not to bite your nails.
• Snap a rubber band on the inside of your wrist when you start to bite your nails so you have a negative physical response to nail-biting.

References:[1]kidshealth.org [2]webmd