Onicofagia literally means "nail biting" and is the term used for the inability of some people to stop biting their nails.
Causes or reasons for Onicofagia
Most people who cannot stop
biting their nails experience a change in their nervous system or an emotional imbalance, which can range from mild and specific cases to chronic and pathological ones. For many people, nail-biting is a way to cope with their nervousness (fear, stress, impatience, etc.). In fact, many people solve this "nervous" situation in similar ways (smoking, eating more or drinking more, eating sweets, drinking alcohol, etc.). At the core, it is about putting something in the mouth.
Problems caused by the inability to stop biting nails
Health: the first problem is of the "mechanical" type, meaning it only affects the nails properly, as some people, in their effort to cut or bite them, cause the nail to sink even further. This can lead to harder and rougher skin that may result in chronic finger inflammation. The nails (or what remains of them) may fall off, deform, or become infected with fungus.
Emotional: As mentioned before, nail-biting may indicate worry, nervousness, or an emotional problem. If the person knows they cannot avoid biting their nails, they will feel worse. Their self-esteem decreases because they know they cannot control this urge, and every time they see it, they are aware of their lack of self-control. This feeds the anxiety, making it even harder to stop the habit.
Work and relationship issues: In the most severe cases (when there is hardly any nail left), it becomes obvious, and people may even have difficulty finding work due to the
appearance of their hands, which also causes problems in finding a partner.
Are products that are applied to nails recommended?
Products applied to nails to stop biting them are usually bitter and sometimes work for some patients during the first few days. The person often bites the polish with their teeth, spits it out or swallows it, and then resumes the nail-biting habit. It is clear that if the cause or reason for nail-biting is not resolved, it will be very difficult to stop. In conclusion, it is not a bad alternative, but generally, it is not the definitive cure.
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