Biting nails .... EEeeeeeeeek!

If a genie appeared and granted me one single wish, I would wish that Hub-e gets rid of Onychophagia. This habit of his has been an issue of grave concern between us since long and I guess, I would goto my grave with this unfulfilled wish. Cajoling, motivating, fighting, shouting, sulking ...... nothing has worked till now and I have lost all hope. Well, this has become the fodder for my next research ...

Onychophagia or nail biting is a common oral compulsive habit in children and young adults, affecting around 30% of children between 7 to 10 years and 45% of teenagers (as per Wikipedia). People bite their nails 'cos they are stressed out, nervous, hungry or bored. It can also be a sign of mental or emotional disorder (Freaky..... trying to guess where he fits in!). Nail Biters could also suffer from a poor self-image or could be punishing themselves for deeper-rooted problems or anxieties. Basically, nail biting is a rational substitution of one problem for another. In many instances nail biting is used as a tension reliever. Any kind of disharmony as a result of friends, family, work, or school can trigger the habit. 99% of nail biters have minor problems or a fixed biting habit. Fewer have a deep emotional problem of which nail biting is a symptom. Sometimes nail biting is just plain habit. Nail biting can also be symptomatic of some medical disorders.

Who bites their nails?

• People of all ages bite their nails.
• About 50% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 bite their nails at one time or another. Nail-biting occurs most often as teens are going through puberty changes.
• About 23% of young adults, ages 18 to 22 years, bite their nails.
• Only a small number of other adults bite their nails. Most people stop biting their nails on their own by age 30. About 10% of men over the age of 30 bite their nails. (Men ..... they never improve!!! HUMPH!)
• Boys bite their nails more often than girls after age 10. (My viewpoint is now reinforced .... )

Phew !!!! So many reasons and now let's see what all ill-effects this habit has. Obviously, damage to the cuticles and ragged nails. Have you ever looked at a person with ragged nails? Believe me, it is an ugly sight to behold. Where a nail has been bitten too far in, bleeding might occur at the grooves or cuticles. More extremely the constant wetting of the finger can lead to yeast infection of the nail and oral herpes can actually begin to grow on the finger. Ridging, nail deformity and even nail loss can happen. Bacterial infections can lead to severe dental problems such as gingivitis. Bitten fingertips can become very sensitive to pain, usually at the place the skin meets the edge of the nail. Hangnails are broken skin on the cuticle. When they are improperly removed, they are susceptible to microbial and viral infections producing whitlows. When the nails are infected with saliva the scratching of them makes the skin get red and infect the skin.

If this doesn't scare you enough, let me tell you about a research by Scientists at WITS university who have discovered that biting fingernails greatly increases the chances of heart disease. They also have seen a likelihood that life expectancy will be dramatically shortened to that of a heavy smoker.

The heart problems are caused by Bacterial Endocarditis which is an infection of the heart's inner lining (endocardium) and / or the heart valves. Bacterial Endocarditis occurs when bacteria enters the blood stream, either though Finger Nail Biting or dental procedures. The bacteria then lodges itself heart valves or other damaged heart tissue This will eventually lead to extensive heart damage which will in turn cause it to fail.

Hmmm ...... so, this turns out be a very very serious issue. There are many ways in which you can try to get rid of this life-threatening habit. I am going to enumerate a few here. Coz I am very sure that we won't be having any "Anti-biting nail" campaign even though this has the same potency as smoking. So, let me be the pioneer in this field. Follow the simple steps mentioned below and live a longer and healthier life.

• Eat foods rich in calcium and magnesium to help repair your nails and make 'em grow.
• Distract your mouth. Chew gum, suck on a lollipop, blow balloons or munch on carrot sticks.
• Distract your hands. Take up a hobby like playing video games, drumming, knitting, or painting.
• Cover your nails. Wear gloves, tape the ends of your fingers, rub on petroleum jelly or wear fake nails (for girls only please!).
• Apply a special nail polish that makes your nails taste gross!
• Get regular manicures. If your nails look good, you may be less likely to bite 'em off
• Write down where you are, what mood you're in, and what you're doing when you bite. Identifying triggers can help you stop. "People bite their nails for oral stimulation," and if you can identify what causes the need for oral stimulation, you can work to eliminate the trigger.
• Challenge yourself: how many hours can you go without taking a bite? When you break a previous record, get yourself a treat. Then see: can you go a day? Three days? a week? two weeks?

Well, try the above mentioned steps and see a sea-change in your social life too ......

Say NO to NAIL-BITING!