Health Hazards of Nail Bite Habits

Some people may like biting your nails because of boredom, anxiety, stress or compulsive behaviors (repetitive habits). But the habit of biting nails turned out to be harmful to health.
According to the study of Operant Learning Principles Applied to Nail Biting by Terry M.McClanahan, nail biting 28-33 percent occurred in children aged 7-10 years, 44 percent of teens, young adults 19-29 percent and 5 percent in older adults.
Sometimes nail biting is also known as chronic onychophagia, which must be treated by a doctor or mental health providers, because often these habits can be damaging.
Hands and nails is a nest of germs, bacteria, viruses or fungi. Therefore, the nail biting habit should be stopped because of this bad habit can be harmful to health.
As quoted from eHow, Wednesday (05/12/2010), the following hazards caused by bad habits biting nails:
1. Infection
Biting nails can cause infections of the skin around the nail, known as paronychia. This occurs because the protective barrier between the nail and nail folds broken because of moisture. The organism can then enter the gap nail, resulting in bacterial or fungal infection in the finger.
Paronychia can be acute or chronic. Symptoms include pain, pain, inflammation and swelling of the fingers.
2. Bacteria or viruses
The habit of biting nails done constantly can cause bacterial or viral infections of the nails and fingers spread to other fingers, or to the lips and mouth.
When the finger constantly wet with saliva, it can cause yeast infections in the nail and oral herpes. Bacteria and viruses can also cause the nail and the base of small cracks weaken nails.
Nail biting can also cause the fingers became swollen and even bleeding, where the bacteria to travel into the bloodstream.
3. Problems with the teeth
Oral problems caused by biting your nails such as gingivitis (inflamed gums) and tooth decay. Front teeth are prone to be broken, cracked or worn due to nail biting.
Nail biting causes the tooth root becomes shorter, known as root resorption, which can also grow and cause tooth loss. In addition, nail biting can also cut the gums, and allows the bacteria enter the wound.
4. Wart
Biting nails can cause warts nail, nails grow rough and hard on the bottom and around the nail. These warts are difficult to cure because of their location around the nail. Warts can damage the nail growth and spread to other parts of the body.
Subungual or periungual warts are formed under the fingernails is a benign tumor. But if left untreated, they can grow and cause infection in other fingers.
Periungual skin is high and uneven, it can cause peeling and rough surfaces of the hands. These warts can damage the nail by lifting it from the skin or nails caused partially detached.
Warts can be removed with prescribed medications, surgical procedures, with freezing, burning or laser treatment.
Now, before all of the above happens to you, immediately stop the nail biting habit, which in addition to damaging the beauty of nails, can also endanger your health.