There are several health related complications associated with nail biting.Photo/goodtherapy.org.Let's face it, a majority of Kenyans especially men have no qualms about nibbling away their overgrown nails.
While some do it almost subconsciously, others just find it economical and quite a better way of easing out stress.But did you know that biting your nails could cost you more than just a public outrage?
1. Biting your nails could cause you an infection.
If you bite off a bigger chunk of your nails, you are easily exposing the delicate skin beneath your nail, leaving it exposed to any bacteria or pathogens in your mouth leaving you more vulnerable to a nail fungus or finger infection.One of the most common forms of such infections is called paronychia and it can cause finger redness, pain, and pus-filled lumps. That infection can stick around for weeks if not treated.
2.You could have stunted or ingrown nails.
Your fingernails contain a generative layer called the "matrix," which is like the bed from which all your nail cells flower. Biting or biting-related infections can easily damage that matrix resulting in stunted or ingrown nails.
3.Crooked teeth.
Yes,you heard it right.Have you ever seen those 'seemingly broken or cracked teeth'? Do you like them? I bet you dont, but do you know you could easily acquire them if you constantly bite your nails? Here is how.The sockets that hold the roots of your teeth could easily be deformed or destroyed by chronic nail-biting, resulting in crooked teeth.Nail-biting can equally cause fractures in the teeth you use to do the nibbling, and that is a sure of earning gum diseases.
So next you find your hands moving towards your mouth just remember these dangerous possibilities and get yourself a nail cutter.