Onychophagia, which is the habit of biting your nails, is quite common in both children and adults, and it’s estimated to affect a significant portion of the population. This habit can cause several physical problems, such as injuring the fingers, damaging the cuticles, or affecting the teeth. It also increases the risk of infections because the hands are constantly in contact with the mouth. Beyond the physical effects, nail-biting can also impact self-esteem and create more anxiety or discomfort in social situations, which worsens the problem and affects mood.
Some of the most common reasons people develop this habit include stress, boredom, anxiety, or simply doing it automatically without noticing. To stop biting your nails, recommendations often include practicing relaxation techniques, using behavioral therapy, or applying bitter-tasting nail polish to discourage bringing the nails to the mouth. Working on self-control, recognizing when the urge appears, and understanding why it happens are important steps to overcoming this habit and protecting your health.
