We all have been in those situations: sweating profusely as you wish to all the gods that your name not be called for recitation, the moment before you deliver a speech in front of a large crowd, or even facing your boss after a failed presentation to the clients.
Most of us feel nervous just imagining these things. While others pick on their skin or pull their hair out when they get anxious, others bite their nails, an unhygienic yet very hard habit to break.
Results of Nail Biting
We’re not all scientists and doctors, but it doesn’t take a genius to know that germs can easily enter our body through our mouth when we do this, which is undeniably gross. However, why do those who are guilty of practicing this can’t stop?
Those who can’t seem to take their nails off of their mouth on a daily basis were estimated to be between 20 to 30 percent of the population, which means you are not alone.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s not only the germs you put in your mouth that you should be wary of.
The repeated biting of nails can also damage the tissues responsible for nail growth and can prove to be painful for your nail bed. Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian explained that cuticles and nails act as the protector of the body in the nails, but, the saliva, which is used to help in food breakdown, can make nails brittle.
Nail biting, or onychophagia, may be a temporary issue or a long-term problem. It falls under the body-focused repetitive behaviors, and it may happen along with skin picking and hair pulling.
It has been linked to anxiety as people reported to have eased the stress and tension if they bite their nails. But don’t worry, experts note that there are things you can do to stop the habit.
Identify Triggers
The first line of defense is actually knowing what triggers the bad habit. Is it when you’re bored, scared or anxious? It pays to have a journal so that you can list the moments when you chew your nails.
That way you can think of an action when you are in the same situation again. Perhaps you can put your hands on your pocket whenever you have a meeting or hold onto a pillow when you’re bored.
Educate Yourself
When you know the science behind nail-biting, then you may have the chance to refrain from biting your nails.
In short, you can gross yourself out by learning of the diseases you may acquire or imagine the many germs under your nails before you put it in your mouth.
Manicure
EHE chief medical officer Tania Elliott explained that those who spend money on their nails tend to bite their nails less.
Admit it, would you still want to gnaw off your nails if you remembered how much you had to shell out just to make them pretty?
Plus, it’s not nice to ruin your perfectly manicured hands because then again, you would have to go back to the salon anew.