Nail biting, a common habit in about 20-30% of the population, can be caused by stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or just being bored. It can be a temporary behaviour, but it can also develop into a severe, long term problem. Nail biting, medically termed as Onychophagia, can be characterized by seemingly uncontrollable nail-biting that is destructive to fingernails as well as the surrounding tissue.
What happens if you bite your nails?
People who frequently bite their nails may experience both psychological and physical symptoms like:
Why do we bite our nails?
Nail biting when encountered in healthy children is usually temporary and does not last very long. Educating children, parents, teachers, and siblings could be helpful, applying bitter nail polish, bandages or gloves temporarily can help as well in some cases.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
What are the long-term effects of nail-biting?
A lot of people have nervous habits such as pacing or fidgeting. While a lot of these are harmless, but nail-biting when stressed or anxious exposes you to several ailments.
Your nails are an ideal dwelling place for several germs. When you bite your nails, these bacteria travel from the mouth to the gut, causing stomach infections that lead to diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
It may seem harmless, but it can increase the risk of bacterial or fungal infection entering your blood, and that could lead to cold or flu.
If you bite off a big piece of your nail, you can expose the delicate skin under your nail to any bacteria or pathogens in your mouth. One of the most common infections called paronychia causes pain, redness and pus-filled lumps.
Your saliva’s chemical composition allows it to break down fat and other food molecules. While that aids your digestion, but it can also damage and inflame the skin of your fingertips if you are constantly jamming them in your mouth.
Your nails have a layer, called the matrix, from where the nail grows. Biting can damage this matrix, causing nail deformities or chronic ingrown nails.
If you pick warts, contagious material can get into your nails and when you touch your face or neck, you can end up with warts on your neck and face.
Chronic nail biting can deform or destroy the sockets that hold your teeth. It can also fracture your teeth and trigger gum diseases. Also, it doesn’t leave your hand looking aesthetically pleasing but rather more damaged.
Not all nail biting is pathological, and the difference between harmful obsession and normal behavior is should always be done. Sometimes it’s classified as impulse control disorder.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
How can you stop biting your nails?
You may not be able to change your habit overnight, but with a little time and effort, you’re sure to overcome it.
Also Read: Brittle Nails: Causes, Symptoms, and Proven Solutions
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
Monsoon has set in, and streets are flooded at many places in India. It is essential to consider and avoid certain things to prevent bacterial diseases which generally spread via exposure to such contaminated water.
Exposure to water contaminated with infected animal urine or contact with the urine of infected animals such as rodents, cattle, and pets can cause Leptospirosis.
Therefore, it is essential to protect oneself from contaminated water and infected animals especially if one is pregnant or lactating or an older adult.
Drink boiled water or appropriately purified water.
Avoid wading through floodwater. Avoid swimming or dipping head in rivers, lakes or water suspected to be contaminated with animal urine.
If you have any wounds on your feet or body exposed to contaminated water or your job or other activities (trekking, water sports, swimming, boating or animal rearing), involve exposure to contaminated soil or water or infected animals, ensure adequate protection. Cover your wounds, wear waterproof and protective footwear and clothing like gumboots, rubber gloves, etc.
Watch for rodents in the house and contamination of food and water. Get rid of these appropriate using measures at the earliest. If you have pets, ensure appropriate vaccination which is generally repeated annually.
Nevertheless, if you begin to suffer from either fever, headache, muscle aches, indigestion, rashes or a cough seek medical advice at the earliest because these could be symptoms of leptospirosis and initial treatment has better results and improvement.
Children are prone to infections and viral fever during monsoons. Learn tips to keep your kids healthy in the monsoons. Keep skin infections at bay this rainy season with these tips.
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
During the early monsoon, humidity in India is very high!
Our skin naturally has several tiny micro-organisms. The local skin temperature and environmental humidity are most conducive to the growth of microorganisms in early monsoon. In addition, in people who suffer from diseases like type 2 diabetes or any condition which lowers immunity, there is a higher risk of infection when the humidity in the atmosphere rises, particularly during the monsoon season. Therefore it is essential to take extra care of our skin health this season too.
Rashes and itching in the region of skinfolds can be caused by skin-on-skin friction, which can increase due to moisture. Such inflammation is bothersome in obese adults as well as children. Also, such inflammation can occur in natural body folds. Inflammation of the skin due to increased moisture or humidity in the environment further increases the risk of infections. Hence, it is essential to reduce moisture in the skin/skin folds using appropriate measures. For eg., Powders are absorptive.
Pay additional attention to personal hygiene measures like regular bath, hand hygiene with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand rub, and trimming nails. Avoid overcrowded places, avoid reuse of essentials or sharing of personal items for example towels etc. If one is physically very active or travels a lot, it is important to shower well and pat dry the body especially the skin folds, and space between fingers and toes thoroughly.
To reduce the risk of foot infections, it is advisable to –
Monsoon and resulting decrease in temperature cause increase in sebum production, clogging of pores and can cause acne, folliculitis. Incidence of rashes increases with the onset of monsoon because fall in temperature with humid weather causes pollen grains to burst open releasing pollen allergens into the air.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
To reduce the risk of skin infections
If one already has some wound, it is essential to watch for infection since moisture increases the risk. Medical advice should be sought.
Children are easily affected by the moisture and dampness in the monsoons. They are more prone to infections. Here is how you can keep children healthy in monsoons. If you have waded through monsoon waters, you are vulnerable to Leptospirosis. Read here how to avoid it.
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
Monsoon increases the dampness in the environment which encourages growth and spread of infection-causing germs. If proper care is taken along with an appropriate diet, we can prevent certain infections in children.Eat right
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