Nail-biting disease is a problem that negatively affects people's daily and social lives. This problem, which usually begins in childhood or adolescence, can continue into adulthood. Nail biting disease can be seen by society as a simple and easily solvable condition. However, it is seen that most of the individuals with this complaint have tried to stop nail biting at least once and have been unsuccessful. This can be a frustrating process for both the person and their relatives. There are many treatment methods that create a solution for the habit of nail biting. Positive results can be achieved through approaches where these methods are used in a planned manner. You can find detailed information about nail biting disease and its treatment methods by following the rest of the article.
What is Nail Biting Disease?
Onychophagia, which is the name of nail biting disease, is caused by inserting one or more fingers into the mouth. It is defined as the gnawing of nails with the help of teeth. This situation, which usually occurs as a result of triggering factors that begin in childhood, can continue at later ages. In some individuals, it can manifest itself in adulthood. Although nail biting behavior can be seen frequently in the society, it must meet certain criteria in order to be called onychophagia. These criteria can be defined as frequency, severity and duration. In this case, behaviors that recur at short intervals and cause serious appearance differences in the nail are considered onychophagia. In addition, for nail-biters, how long this condition lasts is also important. In medical terms, this habit is treated as a type of impulse control disorder. There are also some scientific studies suggesting that nail biting may be included in obsessive compulsive disorder.
What are the Harms of Nail Biting?
During nail biting behavior, the surrounding tissues are also damaged. For this reason, some undesirable situations may occur. The harmful consequences that may occur as a result of nail biting are as follows:
- Abnormal-looking nails: This picture, which is seen as a result of onychophagia, may disturb the person cosmetically. But it may not be just that. Get nail biting that starts at a young age As a result, school life and friendships may be negatively affected. In adult behavior, both the work life and social life of individuals can be adversely affected.
- Skin infections: During onychophagia, the surrounding tissues are damaged along with the nails. As a result, skin integrity may be compromised. Therefore, various fungal or bacterial infections may be encountered. The gnawed nails may be incompatible with the nail bed when they grow back. As a result of the nail sinking into the surrounding support tissue, the protective layer of the skin may be damaged. For this reason, infection may occur. Nail fungus, known as onychomycosis, and tingling, known as paronychia, are types of infections that can be seen as a result of nail ingestion.
- Respiratory tract diseases and other infections: Bacteria, viruses and fungi found in the mouth are carried into the mouth by eating nails. As a result, infections that affect the respiratory tract or digestive system can occur. Hand hygiene should be given importance for a healthy life. Onychophagia is one of the factors that cause deterioration in hand hygiene.
- Temporomandibular joint injury: The temporomandibular joint, also known as the jaw joint, works actively during chewing and mouth movements. During nail biting, pain may occur due to overuse of this joint. In severe onychophagia, serious health problems, also called temporomandibular joint dysfunction, may be encountered.
- Tooth damage: Similar to teeth grinding, structural problems may occur in nail biting disease. Due to the long-term and repetitive pressure created by the teeth on the nails, the enamel layer, which forms the outermost layer of the tooth, can be damaged. As a result, various dental problems, especially tooth sensitivity, may be encountered.
What are the Causes of Nail Biting?
There are many factors affecting the formation of nail biting disease. Thanks to the knowledge of these factors, the reasons behind the nail biting habit can be determined more easily. Knowing the cause creates convenience in the treatment phase. The reasons for nail biting are as follows:
- The way to face problems i: Some problems in daily life cause disappointment or impatience, stress in individuals. When the disturbing factors related to that problem are resolved in the mind, nail biting behavior can be seen as an expression. If it is thought that there is such a reason behind biting nails, it is necessary to be aware of the triggering events.
- Feeling of boredom: When nail biting becomes a habit, this behavior can be maintained in all boring situations and environments during the day. According to studies on this subject, nail biting behavior is more common in individuals with insufficient motor activity during the day. Nail biting habit may occur as a result of routine life and insufficient movement.
- Anxiety: Anxiety disorders, also known as anxiety, may be associated with nail biting disease. In addition, individuals who do not have any anxiety problems may also bite their nails during the day when they are worried. Nail biting disease may occur as a result of an increase in the severity or frequency of such events. mental state.
- Depression: This clinical picture, also known as major depressive disorder, refers to a prolonged and persistent loss of interest that accompanies intense sadness. In addition to psychiatric symptoms, various physical symptoms may also be seen in individuals with depression. Nail biting is one of these physical symptoms.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The whole of repetitive and disturbing thoughts and repetitive movements performed in response to this is called obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nail biting can be included in these repetitive movements. There are studies that have observed significant relationships between obsessive compulsive disorder and nail biting habits.
- Other psychiatric syndromes: Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which an individual feels intense anxiety and stress even at the thought of separating from the person to whom they are attached. Similar to other types of anxiety, nail biting can occur as a result of separation anxiety. Tourette's syndrome, also known as tic disorder, may be the reason behind nail biting.
Nail Biting in Children
Many factors can be found as the cause of nail biting in children. The habit of nail biting can be a method of coping with the problems that the child encounters in school life and in friendships. However, there are studies suggesting that nail biting, which starts in childhood, is of genetic origin. According to studies, children with onychophagia in any of their family members have a higher risk of encountering nail-biting problems in the future than normal. According to the data described in the studies, there is a similar risk even if parents quit this habit before their child is born. However, genetics is not the only reason behind nail biting. Factors that cause nail-biting problems in adults can also cause this behavior for children. This disorder, which occurs at a young age in individuals, can continue until the later years as a result of the continuation of the underlying causes.
Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Nail Biting?
Any vitamin associated with nail biting disease there is no deficiency. However, the nail structure may deteriorate due to various vitamin deficiencies. A damaged nail structure can trigger onychophagia. Vitamins B12, C and D are important for maintaining nail health. In vitamin B12 deficiency, bluish or dark spots can be observed in the nail color. Longitudinal, wavy dark lines and brown spots are other nail symptoms that can be seen in vitamin B12 deficiency. In vitamin C deficiency, nails may grow late or break easily. Peeling nails is a condition that can be seen in vitamin D deficiency. Individuals with nail biting are recommended to take the necessary vitamins and minerals during the treatment. You can follow the lead by consulting a specialist doctor on how to take precautions against missing vitamin and mineral levels in your body.
How to Stop the Nail Biting Habit?
Nail biting habit, o es Even if it can be realized unconsciously, it is a disorder that seriously disturbs individuals in the later process. For this reason, many people make attempts to end these habits. These initiatives, which are started unplanned, are often not useful. The answer to the question of how to stop biting nails includes understanding the reasons and following the appropriate program. A certain period of time is required in order to eliminate the habitual nail biting behavior. Studies show that it takes at least 18 days to break a habit. This period varies according to the type and severity of the habit. Therefore, the factors that cause nail biting should be investigated and determined. Then, these factors should be removed as much as possible and try to prevent nail biting.
What should be done to avoid biting nails?
There are many methods that are beneficial in preventing nail biting. You can prevent your nail biting habit by trying these methods. Techniques that can be used against nail biting are as follows:
- You can cut your nails short: You may feel more reluctant to bite a nail that is too short for your teeth to grasp.
- Manicure: The money and time you spend on nail care is pleasant It may make you question your mind about spoiling your looking nails again. In this way, you can consciously control your nail biting behavior.
- Discover activities that distract your mouth and your hand: By chewing gum, you can keep your mouth busy with something. With a similar method, you can use tools such as stress ball and pencil for your hand. In this way, you may not need to bite your nails because both your hand and mouth are active.
- Polish-tasting polishes: There are different nail polishes and nail polishes developed for onychophagia. The main purpose of these materials is to act as a deterrent by coating your nail with a bad taste. You can find a variety of bitter-tasting polishes suitable for women, men and children.
- You can use stickers or tape: You can stick stickers or tape to avoid biting your nails. Similarly, use gloves
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