Onychophagia

Η onychophagiaNail biting, also known as nail biting, is a fairly common habit characterized by the involuntary or conscious act of biting one's nails.

Cause

The exact causes of onychophagia are not fully understood, but it is thought to be a combination of psychological and behavioral factors, such as:

• Anxiety and stress: Nail biting often occurs as a reaction to situations of anxiety, stress, or tension.
• Boredom: Sometimes, nail biting can be a form of entertainment or relief when someone is bored.
• Custom: For many people, nail biting becomes an automatic habit that is difficult to break.
• Heredity: There is evidence that onychophagia may also have a genetic predisposition.

Impact

Nail biting can have various negative effects on health and appearance, such as:

• Nail damage: Nails may become short, deformed, brittle, and have irregular growth.
• Skin problems: The skin around the nails can become irritated, red, and develop sores or infections.
• Dental problems: Nail biting can cause tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental problems.
• Psychological effects: Nail biting can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and reduced self-esteem.

Tackle

Treating nail biting usually requires a combination approach that targets underlying causes and helps change behavior. Some strategies that may help include:

• Finding alternative exits: When we feel the urge to bite our nails, we try to occupy our hands with something else, like a stress ball, a game, or some other activity.
• Keeping nails short: Short nails are less likely to tempt biting.
• Use of bitter tasting products: There are special nail polishes with a bitter taste that discourage biting.
• Psychological support: If onychophagia is severe or associated with severe anxiety, psychotherapy can help address underlying psychological issues.