We Know: All About Nail Biting What is nail biting? Nail biting is a habit wherein a person chews, gnaws and bites the fingernails. Some people merely chew the "white" of the nail, while others chew them all the way back to the cuticle causing bleeding. Why do people bite their nails? Many people bite their nails when there are nervous or anxious. Others do it when they are bored or absentmindedly chew while performing some other activity such as watching TV or reading. What problems can nail biting cause? Biting your nails persistently can cause nail infections. By exposing the normally protected nail bed, you put yourself in a position for getting an infection, fungal problem and a whole host of other conditions. Likewise, chewing on your nails is just plain unhealthy. Trapped under the nails are bacteria of all sorts. When you bite your nails, these germs are transferred to your mouth, making it more likely to catch a cold and other conditions. Excessive nail biting can also be a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder. How can I stop biting my nails? First, recognize that you bite your nails. Some people don't even know they do it, so to beat the habit, you must first acknowledge that nail biting is, in fact, a bad habit. Many people simply grow out of biting their nails, but others have to consciously stop the habit. There is a nail polish on the market that discourages nail biting due to its nasty flavor. Also, many people bite their nails because there is a rough edge or snag. Rather than biting, use an emery board to smooth the rough edges. Also, if you find that bite your nails most often when in tense situations, try to pick up a different habit. For instance, if you bite your nails when you get nervous, try to take deep, cleansing breaths instead of making a beeline for the nails.
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