Habit: For many people, a well-manicured hand is a point of pride. However, some can’t leave their nails alone because they perceive imperfections, Piliang says. This habit of “improving” the nails—by biting either the nail or pulling at the cuticle to “fix” the problem—often begins in childhood. Not surprisingly, she says, the more ragged your nails look, the more you’re tempted to bite them.
Damage: When people chomp their nails down to nail bed, the skin can become raw and inflamed, Piliang says. Because the nail and the cuticle overlap to keep water, bacteria and fungus out of the nail, any injury to this area can create mayhem, she says. One possibility is paronychia, a condition where the skin around the nail becomes infected or inflamed.
Over time, nail-biting can weaken and damage the nails, she says. Many nail-biters find it difficult to stop the habit, even though they’ve been confronted by friends and family members. Piliang suggests keeping the hands very clean and covering them, when possible. Over-the-counter products, which involve coating the nails with an unpleasant-tasting substance, are also worth trying, she says.
Posted in: America’s Top 8 Nervous Habits
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