Onychophagia or nail biting
Most people face this phenomenon at least once in their life, either during childhood or later, in adulthood when, in psychology, it is defined as a behavioral disorder, being included in the category of self-harming tricks.
If in childhood onychophagia is associated with boredom, hunger or various small age-specific frustrations, in adulthood the habit betrays a person who is extremely stressed or who is going through unpleasant events in his life.
We know that the appearance of the hands plays an important role in social life, therefore the lack of a clean and neat manicure can cause us to have a “clumsy” behavior when socializing or worse, can lead to isolation from loved ones and deepening anxiety.
At the extreme, experts say that onychophagia is a sign of an obsessive-compulsive behavior disorder, and also a boost in crisis situations.
But the problems do not stop there. Nails are the perfect place to hide microorganisms, and their redness promotes the transmission of germs from the hands to the mouth and vice versa, thus risking weakening the immune system by frequent contact with colds, flu or even serious infections such as hepatitis, coronavirus, etc.
By practicing this habit, your teeth will also suffer from caries to gum infections. In severe cases, the teeth may crack or be damaged.
Did you know that diastema or “gapped teeth”, as it is popularly known, is the result of nail biting in childhood, during the period when the upper central incisors erupt?
Useful tips on how to get rid of this habit more easily:
- For both men and women, consult a nail technician who will perform a proper and neat manicure using UV varnish. Applied on the nails, it has the role of strengthening them, making their redness difficult and unpleasant.
- You can also cut very short nails, which will prevent them from getting caught with your teeth.
- Since the habit is related to anxiety and stress, try to find relaxing activities, such as: playing sports, walking outdoors, consulting social networks, reading, etc.
- There are solutions in pharmacies that apply to bitter-tasting nails. Their role is to repel the person who gnaws their nails, but must be applied daily for a longer period of time.
- Wear protective gloves at home as much as possible. Whether it’s housekeeping, massage or surgery, they can be a protection for your hands. In the hot season, if you find this habit uncomfortable, simply use special stickers to cover your nails.
