Serious Problems Caused by Nail Biting

Did you know that 20-30% of Americans chew their fingernails without realizing it? According to Sandra Darling, a preventive medicine physician and wellness expert, this habit can lead to physical, emotional, and psychological problems, including shame, low self-esteem, depression, and impulsiveness. 

Signs

 A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If the condition progresses to the mouth and joints, it can cause serious problems, including life-threatening systemic diseases. If you are a victim of nail-biting, talk to your doctor or therapist to find out whether you should get your child tested and treated.

Although nail-biting is usually a harmless habit, it can lead to more severe issues if left untreated. Studies have shown that nail-biting is often associated with anxiety. Many people find it soothing and calming to chew their nails to relieve tension, stress, and boredom. For these reasons, nail-biting is often associated with other behavioral issues, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, opposition defiant disorder, and separation anxiety.

Psychotherapy is the best treatment for nail-biters. It helps them identify the emotions and repetitive thoughts that lead to their nail-biting. One of the most effective methods is known as habit reversal training. The method focuses on raising awareness of biting triggers and cultivating social support. A more comprehensive approach includes a cognitive-behavioral component, which is highly effective in treating BFRBs.

If your child is biting their nails, you should contact a dentist for further evaluation. Nail-biting causes tooth enamel to be worn down and may require braces to fix teeth alignment. It can also cause gum irritation and even lead to bad breath. And the bacteria on the nails may cause an unpleasant odor. Eventually, you will have to pay for dental work. It is best to stop the habit early.

Another way to curb your child’s habit is to put bitter-tasting nail polish on their nails. Putting bitter-tasting nail polish on their fingers is a proven method of deterring nail-biting. You can use stress balls or rubber bands as distractions during long commutes or meetings. This method works better than any other. So, it is crucial to take care of your child’s nail-biting habit early.

Symptoms

If you bite your fingernails, you may not be aware that you expose the delicate skin beneath them to bacteria. These germs can quickly spread to your mouth and cause serious problems such as gastrointestinal infections. In fact, one study from 2007 found that 76% of nail biters had harmful bacteria in their saliva compared to only 26.5% of non-nail biters.

If the problem persists, you may be suffering from a mental or emotional disorder. In many cases, nail-biting is a symptom of an underlying emotional or psychological condition. Consult a physician to find the cause and treatment. Symptoms of nail-biting can vary between children and adults. However, you should seek medical attention for any unusual changes in your nails. Listed below are some signs of a medical problem associated with nail-biting.

Nail-biting is an addictive behavior. In addition to injuring your nails and cuticles, it can also lead to injuries to the gum tissue. Moreover, your fingernails can harbor a significant number of bacteria and germs. This can lead to oral infections and other severe conditions. If your nail-biting has become a habit, it is time to consult a dentist.

Managing nail-biting is not as difficult as it may seem. Identifying triggers for nail-biting can help you control the habit and prevent serious dental problems. You can also chew gum, but be sure not to overdo it. It can cause severe dental problems, and chewing gum can be equally harmful if done excessively. Try to keep your hands busy by using stress balls or silly putty to keep them from biting.

Causes

If you’re a chronic nail biter, you’re at risk for paronychia, an infection caused by bacterial and yeast growth in your fingernails. This infection will cause swelling and redness and often be associated with a painful, pus-filled lump. In some cases, the condition can last for weeks, and you may end up with a sore and inflamed fingertip.

Some people begin nail biting out of boredom, but it’s a reaction to a stressful event or emotion for others. When left unchecked, nail-biting may become unconscious, affecting daily activities. It typically begins during adolescence, when an individual deals with new feelings and experiences. If a child is developing this habit, underlying mental health issues may also need to be addressed.

Sometimes nail biting is linked to a mental health condition, and it can be hard to break the habit once it has become a habit. It may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition in which an individual repeatedly performs a specific activity to cope with intense feelings. In either case, nail-biting is challenging to stop and can have serious consequences.

Nail-biting is a common nervous habit and can start in infancy, though it can happen in adults. Those with nail-biting disorder have lowered affability and increased emotional problems. In severe cases, children may have suffered from neglect as a child. Researchers who study repetitive behaviors believe that those who bite their nails are perfectionists, impulsive, and may feel frustrated when they do not reach their goals.

If you find yourself repeatedly biting your fingernails, consider seeing a dermatologist. The bites are a sign of a deeper psychological problem, and it’s best to seek help from a mental health professional. This can help you avoid severe consequences and get back to your everyday life. With the proper treatment, you can prevent nail-biting from becoming a habit. There are many strategies to stop nail-biting. Using a stress ball or a toy is one way to help yourself quit. Using a bitter-tasting nail polish is another method of preventing nail-biting.

Treatment

Treatment of severe problems caused by nail-biting involves a multidisciplinary approach that engages the patient, parents, teachers, and close friends. The home environment should be supportive and should not include laughter or ridicule from siblings. The treatment process involves identifying emotional triggers and identifying replacement behaviors. In severe cases, a drug called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed. These drugs can help treat the disease, but they can cause other problems in the long term.

The treatment for chronic nail-biting may include a combination of at-home remedies, psychotherapy, and medications for underlying mental health conditions. Some treatment methods are temporary and do not address the root cause of nail-biting. Eventually, the habit may progress to a more severe stage, requiring a combination of approaches to reduce symptoms. Treatment of severe problems caused by nail-biting includes:

Proper nail hygiene is essential. Frequent manicures protect the nails and decrease the satisfaction caused by nail-biting. Nail-biting can also cause acute paronychia, where the nails begin to develop abnormally. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics to stop the progression of the disease and apply warm compresses to the nail bed. Sometimes, the infection is a symptom of another problem, such as a viral or fungal infection. Cytology may reveal a causative agent.

Various approaches for nail-biting include behavior changes or physical barriers. Changing nail care habits and using artificial nails may also reduce the urge to bite nails. A stress-relieving system may also reduce the urge to bite nails while avoiding triggering triggers. Aside from these methods, therapy may help reduce stress and improve the overall quality of life. If a child is prone to nail-biting, treatment may be necessary.

Is There Any Way to Stop Or Slow Down Nail Growth?

There are many ways to slow or stop the growth of your nails. You can avoid biting your nails or using bitter-tasting nail polish to wean yourself off the habit. Increasing your protein, calcium, and biotin intake can help as well. But there are even more effective methods. Continue reading to learn about them. And remember that prevention is better than cure! You can take control of your nail growth by eating a healthy diet and avoiding these everyday habits.

Avoiding biting

To avoid biting to slow down nail growth, you must first understand why you do it in the first place. You may find that you bite your nails for various reasons, including boredom, nervousness, or when getting a manicure. However, nail-biting can be cured with home remedies or habit reversal training. If you’re the type who starts biting your nails at an early age, you can try some of the following methods.

First, you should know that biting your nails can make you sick. You may not even realize how often you do it, and you may be exposing yourself to dirt and germs that are not good for you. While this may not be a severe issue, you should be aware that it may signify a psychological or emotional problem. If this is the case, it is time to visit Dr. Scott Edwards. Second, avoiding biting your nails isn’t only crucial for your oral health and your general wellbeing.

If you’re interested in stopping your nail-biting habit for good, you’ve come to the right place! There are many tools available to help you cope with your anxiety. Fidget spinners, ring-like toys, and other hands-on activities are great for managing your anxiety levels. And, because it’s such a common habit, you may even find it helpful to find a remedy that works for you!

Increasing protein intake in the diet

If you’ve ever wondered if increasing your protein intake in your diet can stop or slow down nail growth, think again. When you don’t get enough protein or calories, your body will tend to shut down, wasting energy on nonessential processes. As a result, your skin, hair, and nails will be deficient in these vital elements, and you’ll find them dry and weak.

Eating more protein is essential because it strengthens muscles, including your fingernails. Lean chicken, turkey, and beef, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables, can help boost the strength of your fingernails. Eggs, for example, are rich in protein, which can help increase your nails’ strength. A recent study showed that egg yolks can also help your nails grow faster.

In addition to meat, protein is also an essential component of a well-balanced diet. Avoid skipping it, as it can make you crave junk food and cause low blood sugar. You can also increase the amount of protein you eat by consuming more lean meats, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. If you’re concerned about your protein intake, consult with your doctor to determine if you’re deficient in protein. A doctor can test your protein levels and recommend a proper diet plan.

Increasing calcium intake in the diet

If you’ve been struggling with slower nail growth, increasing calcium in your diet may be suitable. The body cannot produce healthy nails without calcium, so a calcium deficiency can lead to brittle, weak nails. Additionally, a calcium deficiency can lead to other health complications, including soft and brittle bones. While the symptoms of a calcium deficiency are often minimal, it can have a detrimental effect over time. For example, when your bones become too weak, you’re more likely to break a bone or suffer another injury.

While increasing calcium intake in the diet may not stop or slow down the growth of your nails, it will help your body use the calcium in your body more effectively. Because your nails are made of protein, increasing the amount of protein you consume will improve the health of your nails. Additionally, bone broth contains amino acids that help the body produce collagen. If you don’t get enough protein in your diet, a calcium deficiency could be why you’re not getting the strength you need.

Lean meats like chicken and turkey are rich in protein. These are essential nutrients for nail growth because they help build muscle and promote nail health. Additionally, eating a variety of lean meats, such as turkey and chicken, is also a good idea because they contain plenty of biotins. This nutrient is found in whole foods like meat and fish, so you’ll be getting a full range of benefits in your daily diet.

Increasing biotin intake in the diet

A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism showed that people with high levels of biotin also have thicker, firmer fingernails. However, it is not clear if biotin actually stimulates nail growth. It has been known to lower blood glucose in people with diabetes. Biotin can stimulate the secretion of insulin, thereby reducing blood glucose.

Biotin is water-soluble and is essential for macronutrient metabolism. A lack of biotin can occur for various reasons, including intravenous feeding, long-term raw egg consumption, or hereditary conditions preventing biotin absorption. If you think you may be deficient in biotin, you should increase your daily intake of foods high in biotin. Meat, fish, and seeds are rich sources of biotin.

Biotin supplements are increasingly popular. Between 1999 and 2016, their proportion in the US population increased thirtyfold. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the use of biotin supplements. The supplement can interfere with laboratory tests and falsely elevate blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, vitamin D, and troponin. It is essential to understand the exact amount of biotin you should consume for the best results.

Various food sources are high in biotin. Broccoli, a nutrient-dense vegetable rich in vitamins A and C, is an excellent source of biotin. You can eat it raw or cook it. Sweet potatoes are another great source of biotin, providing approximately two milligrams per 100 grams. You can eat sweet potatoes as snacks or add them to your veggie burger patties.

Conditions that affect nail growth

The condition referred to as anonychia is the absence of a nail on a finger or toenail. This condition is often an isolated occurrence or a complication of syndromes such as ectodermal dysplasia and nail-patella syndrome. It is caused by an injury to the nail plate or a traumatic event that causes damage to the nail plate. However, it can also be a secondary complication of teratogenic drugs during early pregnancy.

While newborns’ nails are soft and thin, they are often accompanied by physiological changes, such as a lack of pigment. Pathological conditions can also cause nail dystrophy. Several conditions affect nail growth, including congenital and acquired diseases. Children with hereditary or autoimmune disorders are often affected by dystrophic nails. Other conditions affecting the skin or mucosa may also affect the growth of fingernails.

If your nails change shape or color, see your doctor as soon as possible. While many nail changes are harmless, if you notice them on your fingernails or toenails, you should visit a dermatologist for a thorough examination. Hundreds of diseases affect the skin and nails. A dermatologist can diagnose and treat these diseases. You can also ask your doctor if there is any other problem with your nails.

Drugs are used to treat cancer.

Some drugs are known to affect the growth of nails by impairing the proximal fold of the nail, which can lead to disordered nail growth. Activating angiogenic factors in the nail bed can also cause changes in the nails. In some instances, pyogenic granulomas or paronychia may develop. These lesions may also be symptomatic of infection or regress with dose reduction.

There is no definitive way to determine if chemotherapy is the cause of the nail-slowing effect. Although some medications used to treat cancer can cause adverse reactions, it is always best to discuss your risks with your doctor. The appearance of dark, linear bands near the cuticle of a nail can indicate a cancer diagnosis or the effects of a drug used to treat cancer.

Some of these drugs have been shown to delay the need for chemotherapy in men with advanced prostate cancer. The clinical trial, led by Johns Hopkins experts, showed that the drug, itraconazole, may be effective at delaying chemotherapy for men with advanced prostate cancer. Itraconazole is approved for treating fungal infections of the nails and other organs, but it can cause serious side effects, including heart failure. Johns Hopkins doctors warn that cancer patients should not use it as a first-line treatment for prostate cancer.

Among the drugs known to inhibit the growth of nails are daunorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and thalidomide, which fight various types of cancer. These drugs affect the development of nails, skin, and hair. It is also possible to suffer from side effects of chemotherapy, which include an increased risk of developing skin cancer. It is not yet known whether these drugs can interfere with the growth of nails.