BITING YOUR FINGERNAILS

 

Nail biting is a pretty common habit. About half of all pre-teens and teens bite their nails, according to health experts at the University of Michigan, though most people stop after the age of 30. Nail biting - which can be caused by stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or just being bored and fidgety - may seem perfectly harmless, but it can invite bacteria, viruses, or fungi to enter into the body and bloodstream, increasing your chances of catching a nasty infection - including the coronavirus . Nail biting is very risky right now as we know the virus can live on surfaces, such as your nails, and is most commonly transmitted to your face by touching your face. So, if you are biting your nails, you run a risk of ingesting not only the virus but other bacterial and viral pathogens.

How nail biting leads to bacterial and fungal infections?

If you have ever had a manicure, you have no doubt noticed the gunk that the manicurist removes from under your nails. That is what you can see with the naked eye - so just imagine all the bacteria you cannot see. The most common pathogens lurking under our nails are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Coryneform bacteria, which can enter the body through breaks in our skin or - you guessed it - from ingesting them after biting your nails.

If that is not enough of a deterrent, just imagine dermatophyte fungi, also known as ringworm, hanging out in your nail tissue as you open your mouth and insert your finger. Ideally, nails should be kept short, and frequent hand washing should occur. Clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of pathogens and antibiotic resistance in our healthcare settings. 

How nail biting leads to cold and flu?

There are more than 200 cold viruses floating around at any given time. Even though the risk factors for acquiring one include a weakened immune system and/or exposure to someone sick, you can significantly reduce your chances of catching a virus by keeping your hands away from your face, especially your mouth and nose. Viruses that cause the flu also flourish on your skin, so wash your hands frequently with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), and refrain from biting the nails. Keeping nails short is the best deterrent so you are not tempted. Some nail biters report painting their nails with a clear or coloured polish that deters nail biting due to the taste.

How nail biting can harm your teeth?

Nail biting can also damage the teeth and gums. Nail biting can crack, chip, or wear down the front teeth, and also potentially lead to sore gums and gum tissue damage. Your dentist may suggest a mouthguard that could help you to stop biting your nails - or at least minimize some of the damage it can cause. Your dentist may also be able to suggest some other techniques to help you quit this bad habit for good.

How can I stop myself from chewing my nails or my cuticles?

Learning how to put your mind over matter is the key to defeating a nail-biting habit. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the gold standard when it comes to treating repetitive behaviours like nail-biting. The therapy may require the help of a mental health professional but there are some key points of CBT which you can assess yourself at home.

Initially, the therapist and client usually complete a thorough assessment of the problematic behaviours including thoughts, feelings, and behaviours prior to biting, during biting, and after biting. 

Next, work is done to establish the sensory substitutes to be used to help the individual meet the body’s needs in a different way and therefore not engage in the nail-biting behaviour.

In other words, if you can identify the settings, feelings, and thoughts that make you want to feast on your own fingernails, you can figure out when you will need a stimulus to distract yourself from doing it. 

If you know you bite your nails most when you get stressed about work, for example, keep something at your work station that can distract you from biting when that feeling strikes - like a squishy stress ball. 

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my.