Onychophagia: what is it and how to stop nail biting in 9 tricks

Nail biting is one of the most unpleasant habits for many people, and one of the most difficult to avoid for many others.

This annoying habit is known as onychophagia and its consequences go beyond the aesthetic. In this article we tell you why it is bad for your health and 9 tricks on how to stop biting your nails.

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Onychophagia: nail biting

Onychophagia is a psychological pathology by which the person feels the urge to compulsive nail biting and as part of nervous behavior.

It is usually associated with moments of nervousness, anxiety and stress, but it can also have internal causes caused by an emotional imbalance, due to traumatic experiences in childhood.

It is considered a mild pathology, but nail biting can have more serious consequences than it seems and it can become chronic, being very difficult to eliminate.

Consequences of nail biting

Onychophagia may seem like a mild and harmless habit, but the truth is that the consequences of nail biting go beyond aesthetic problems and

can affect health, emotional and social.

1. Aesthetic consequences

Conveying a good self-image is important when it comes to socializing, and maintaining well-groomed nails is part of it. Nails are usually a reflection of hygiene and care of the person, and bitten nails often have negative connotations. In addition, many people find the appearance of hands with bitten nails or little toenail aesthetically unpleasant as a result.

2. Health consequences

To bite nails can lead to finger injuries, both in the cuticle area and in the buds, with the risk of bacterial infections. In addition, these are highly exposed areas with a large accumulation of germs, which can be transmitted to the interior of our body through the mouth, causing diseases.

Another consequence of onychophagia is the deformation of the fingers, as well as possible loss of nails. But nail biting not only affects the hands and can end up affecting our oral hygiene, since the continued practice of this habit can also damage tooth enamel.

3. Psychological and social consequences

Another consequence of maintaining the habit of nail biting has to do with the psychological, emotional and social aspects of the person, since by affecting the appearance can generate complex. This can end up affecting self-esteem and damaging the way in which the person relates, such as showing shame or repair when exposing the hands.

What's more, can have negative consequences in the workplace, such as rejections in job interviews due to the appearance of the hands.

How to stop bitting nails

Onychophagia or nail biting is a problematic habit that is also difficult to get rid of, but with willpower and the help of a few tricks it can be stopped.

Here we give you 9 tricks on how to stop biting your nails for good, so that you just have to do a little bit of your part to leave behind this annoying habit.

1. Know the cause

A first step to stop nail biting is be aware of the problem and be able to recognize what is causing it. Being aware of the problem helps you in the most important thing: wanting to quit this bad habit.

It may be the result of specific stressful situations or it may be a problem deeper emotional, but knowing what it is that pushes you to bite your nails allows you to stop and avoid it. Or at least to try.

2. Mindfulness

Another tip to help you stop biting your nails is to practice mindfulness. Focus and focus on each activity that you are doing. Living and focusing on the present moment will ensure that your mind does not evade and you will not feel the unconscious urge to put your hands to your mouth.

3. Very short nails

It may seem silly, but the keeping them short can help some people stop biting their nails, since they will not be leaving margin or space to get to bite them. If possible and you can keep them this way, try trimming them each time they grow to avoid sinking your teeth.

4. Keep your hands busy

In moments of nervousness or when you feel the urge, keep busy with some activity or simply keep your hands busy with something to avoid biting your nails. It can be fiddling with a pencil, a fidget spinner, or a stress ball. The point is to keep your hands busy so as not to put them in your mouth and end up biting your nails.

5.... or the mouth

You can also try look for a substitute for nails and choose to use candies or lollipops. The latter are quite effective, since they can keep both the hand and the mouth occupied. If you are concerned about excess sugar, try licorice sticks, which are also beneficial.

6. Special enamels

One of the more traditional options on how to stop nail biting has always been the use of gels or glazes with a bad taste, which serve as a brake when putting the nails in the mouth. In this way, you will end up withdrawing your hand and avoiding biting them.

7. Artificial nails

For those girls who are also more flirtatious or want to hide the appearance of their nails, the use of false nails can also be useful. These types of false nails will not only prevent you from biting your nails, but also will help disguise the unsightly effects of this bad habit.

8. Gloves

Other easy and comfortable way to stop biting your nails is to wear glovesespecially in winter. These prevent you from ending up putting your hands in your mouth. In summer it can be somewhat uncomfortable, but if your problem is serious and you are really committed, you can try wearing thin breathable gloves.

9. Invest in taking care of your nails

This trick to stop biting your nails seems impossible and counterproductive, but nothing better than keep nails well-groomed to avoid biting. It may seem complicated and it will take time, but if you make an effort to maintain your nails, you will end up knowing badly to spoil them with this nasty habit.

Whenever you feel the urge to bite into them, stop for a second and spend instead filing or treating them. This will positively reinforce taking care of them and help you end up stopping biting them.

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