Onychophagia is a compulsive habit that is expressed in that the person who suffers it bites their nails. Over time it can cause multiple physical injuries such as tooth problems, deformation of the cuticle, wart formation, infections, fungal or bacterial involvement and even elevation of the lateral edges of the finger.
Onychophagia is present in anxiety images and is generally related to nervousness and stress. When this habit becomes chronic (that is, it develops permanently), alternatives to hunger, boredom, or inactivity can be evaluated, but we must also consider the possibility that it may be a symptom of a mental or emotional disorder.
In the most severe cases, these effects can even cause complete loss of the nail. It is a common behavior among children and adolescents that tends to disappear in adulthood.
In most people who cannot stop biting their nails, there is an alteration of the nervous system or an emotional imbalance that can range from mild and specific cases to chronic and pathological cases of great concern. Nail biting is for many people an outlet for their nervousness (anxiety, stress, impatience, fear, etc.).
Onychophagia causes wear on the teeth and damage to the enamel due to the constant clicking of one incisor against the other when biting the nails, which leads to an aesthetic problem because the teeth are cut, the teeth can eventually fall out and the ulcers in dinner. All of this is caused by the pointed tips of the nails that may be contaminated.
Nail biting can affect your ability to hold objects with your hands and your tactile sense of pain from nail loss. Some “tips” that will help Before doing a home treatment or consulting a specialist, avoid coffee, tea, cola or alcoholic beverages as much as possible, as they tend to generate more anxiety and nervousness. You have to avoid the automatism of eating your nails. The most important thing is to become aware or see before what specific situations the person cannot avoid biting his nails.
Once the situation is localized (nerves, stress, boredom, etc.) we have to make the person change that mental association (nerves = nail biting) and try, momentarily, to introduce another association (nibbling a fruit, a branch of some medicinal plant, take a deep breath, rattle with your fingers on the table, etc.) Eat a varied diet (fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, meats).
