Are you addicted to biting your nails? Do you want to stop
that nail-biting habit of yours once and for all? Nail-biting, also known scientifically as Onychophagy or Onychophagia,
is an oral compulsive habit many people develop right from childhood
and it can potentially ruin the appearance of your fingers, could be unhygienic and
can hurt pretty bad if you take it too far. If you're reading this, my
guess is that you didn't stumble upon this post by accident and you're
probably addicted to biting your nails. I used to be a nail-biting
addict myself so I understand that feeling you get when someone asks "what happened to your nails?"
and you just stand there speechless not knowing how to respond. I even
went as far as eating the skin around the nails. Imagine how my fingers
looked?
Studies
shows that 60% of children and 45% of teenagers bite their nails but
the habit becomes less common after the age of 18. However, it may
continue right into Adulthood. The worst part of it, which I'm sure you
can relate to, is that you are not even aware that you're not even aware
that you're biting your nails until you have have gone so deep and hurt
yourself till you bleed. It could be while sitting through that very
boring Lecture, watching a really cool horror movie, surfing the
internet or just doing absolutely nothing. So why do people do it? Why
do people get addicted to biting their nails?
Causes Of Nail-Biting
If
you're expecting to see a complex scientific name for the cause of
nail-biting addiction, then you're in luck. Scientific studies have
proven that Nail-biting is a symptom of a psychological condition called
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a potentially disabling illness that traps people in an endless repetitive behaviour and thoughts. You may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder if
you find yourself doing repetitive actions such as repeatedly bathing,
showering, washing your hands out of fear of being contaminated;
repeatedly checking locks or cooking gas, eating foods in a specific
order, arranging things in a particular order and many more compulsive
behaviours including biting your nails. Although the so-called routines
may be temporarily to get rid of the anxiety, the person uncontrollably
performs the routine again and again when the obsessive thoughts return.
Stress
and the all-powerful boredom are also causes of nail-biting addiction
for most people. I don't know about you but boredom has pushed me to do
some really crazy things. You just sit there with nothing to do and
nowhere to go, not feeling sleeping then GBAM! Your fingers slowly glide to your mouth to keep you company.
Signs of Nail-biting Addiction
Apart
from the damaging effects nail-biting can cause to the appearance of
the nails, Nail biting usually leads to deleterious effects on the mouth
and more generally the digestive system. These consequences are
directly derived from the physical damage of biting or from the hands
becoming an infection vector. Moreover, it can also have a social
impact.
The
fingernails are usually bitten equally to approximately the same level
and it can lead to broken skin on the cuticle of the nails. When
cuticles are improperly removed using your teeth, they are susceptible
to microbial and viral infections such as paronychia. The
contents of the saliva may then redden and infect the skin. In rare
cases, fingernails may become severely deformed after years of nail
biting due to the destruction of the nail bed. Surely you don't want
your nails to get that bad.
Nail biting may also have an association with mouth problems, such as gingival injury, and malocclusion of the front teeth, which is basically the most active in the nail-biting process. It can also transfer pinworms or bacteria buried
under the surface of the nail from the anus region to the mouth. If the
bitten-off nails are swallowed, stomach problems can occasionally
develop. On a more social level, nail-biting can be a source of shame to
the nail biter and definitely reduces the quality of life. Ask any
female or male on the planet what they want in a future partner and
they'll tell you they want someone with beautiful attractive nails.
Really, who doesn't?
Nail-biting Cure/Treatment
Good news for all Nail biters out there, there is a cure. Well,
I wouldn't say a Cure per se, but there are many different ways to
prevent you from going all cannibal on your nails. The cheapest of such
preventive methods is the use of a Bitter-tasting Nail polish. This special kind of Nail polish is made from the most Bitter chemical substance in the entire universe called Denatonium benzoate. This
compound produces an unbearable bitter feeling even words are not
enough to describe. Making it an ingredient in Nail polish has really
helped to stop the nail biting habit in most individuals. Another
treatment for chronic nail biters, is using a dental deterrent device
that disables the front teeth from making any damage to the nails and
the surrounding cuticles. After about two months the device leads to a
full oppression of the nail biting urge.
Most
importantly, being aware of your actions and sheer determination is
enough to fight-off nail biting addiction. Simply make up your mind to
stop the act. It's not that difficult to do. In my case, what I did was
tell all my friends about my problem. Let those closest to you and
always around you know about the problem and your resolve to finally end
it. They will be your watchmen, warning you when you're about to
unconscionably break your rule. Try to always remind yourself of your
resolve, never to bite your fingernails again. After about 2 weeks, you
can watch your fingers become attractive again.
Thanks
for reading, endeavour to share this with your friends who are addicted
to biting their nails, you'll be saving someone's self-esteem if you do
so.
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