10 health risks of biting nails, ditch this bad habit right now

Moneycontrol News | August 23, 2024

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While some see it as a way to cope with these emotions, the habit can also be linked to more serious underlying psychological conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Psychological condition

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Biting your nails can expose you to harmful bacteria and viruses hiding under your nails. These pathogens can easily enter your body, leading to infections in your mouth, gums, and even your stomach

Infection risk

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Common infections include paronychia, a condition where the skin around the nail becomes infected, and it can require medical treatment if left unchecked

Can cause infections

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Nail-biting can wreak havoc on your teeth. The repeated pressure can chip, crack, or wear down your teeth. It can also lead to misalignment of your teeth and cause damage to fillings or braces

Dental damage

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Constant nail-biting can damage the nail bed, leading to irregular nail growth or even permanent deformities

Nail deformities

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The trauma from biting can cause your nails to grow back abnormally, with ridges, splits, or discoloured patches. Over time, this can make your nails more susceptible to other issues, such as fungal infections

Abnormal nail growth

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While nail-biting is often a response to stress or anxiety, it can actually exacerbate these feelings

Emotional toll

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The physical damage caused by nail-biting can lead to self-consciousness and embarrassment, especially if your nails become noticeably damaged or infected

Dirty looking nails are bad

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Nail-biting can negatively impact your personality. In social or professional settings, it may be viewed as a sign of nervousness or lack of self-control

Personality