Contents
Nail biting is never a reason to please a person who cannot get rid of this habit. On the one hand, this compulsiveness automatically directs attention to the nails and the need to tear off even the smallest protruding ends, on the other hand, it is a very unhygienic activity, repelling both the environment watching the person who tears off the nails, and very often – the person interested in this procedure. Why, then, such a person is unable or unwilling to refrain from performing this activity? How to deal with compulsive nail biting, formally called onychophagia?
Nail biting – why is it so hard to get rid of this unhygienic and painful habit?
Very often we observe people next to us who are notorious they bite their nails, they can not get rid of this habit for many years. So what is the cause? Psychologists associate compulsive nail biting, called onychophagia with mental conditions, excessive stress, low self-esteem, problems with self-acceptance, self-aggression. Very often, a person who has a problem in this area is accompanied by other behaviors belonging to the group of compulsive and neurotic, various types of neuroses. The group of other causes of the problem with nail biting include vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as the inability to find an absorbing activity, i.e. boredom, inactivity. Sometimes nail biters cannot cope with obsessive performance of this activity and seek support from a psychologist, although there are also cases of reconciling with the fact that someone is struggling with this ailment. Usually, obsessions appear in small children at the age of 3,4, however, the largest group of people with this condition are minors – it is estimated that about 45% of teenagers have a problem with this background.
Nail biting – effects?
Nail biting it is not only a cosmetic defect or an unhygienic activity that arouses disgust or disgust in observers. Onychophagia is also a specific threat to the health of the body. It can contribute to abrasion, cracking and shifting of the teeth, inflammation of the periodontium. Biting cuticles around the nails sometimes also causes infections under their plate due to the transfer of bacteria, viruses, fungi. Additionally, common and long-term nail biting can lead to complete deformation of the nail plates, their disappearance, shortening.
Nail biting – treatment
Nail biting in both children and adults cannot be underestimated. The main and decisive goal of people who have a problem with it should be to unlearn the habit, which is of course not easy. First of all, you should make sure that you keep yourself busy – chew gum or dried fruit, munch on nuts or almonds. It’s also good to think about effectively occupying your hands – this can also help distract you from obsessive nail biting.
Another very effective way in the fight against nail biting is the use of pharmacy preparations that cause the effect of the so-called. bitter fingers. The treatment of the habit in this case consists in painting the nail plates with an appropriate specificity that leaves a bitter layer in this place, which finally causes the person to feel an unpleasant smell when bringing the nails closer to the mouth. This is an effective way to unlearn this unhygienic habit.
For girls, it may be helpful to apply tips or do manicures regularly – the desire to have nice and well-groomed nails in combination with chemical additives that build the necessary materials for this is an effective discouraging to nail biting.
Due to the fact that the causes of nail biting very often indicate a psychological background, it is also recommended to participate in behavioral therapy, which aims to eliminate compulsive habits. During it, you learn stimulus control techniques. All countermeasures taken in this regard are extremely important for the regeneration and nourishment of nails.