Onychophagia or nail biting is a psychological pathology related, in general, to the mismanagement of emotions such as fear, nervousness and anxiety.
For this reason, it is not surprising that nail biting can worsen in situations of great stress such as the period of school evaluations (in children) or unemployment and divorce (in adults), but, in other cases, it is of a way of self-punishment in order to channel some suffering.
The person who suffers from it not only bites their nails but also the cuticle and the soft tissues that are around it.
Children and young adults are more likely to develop nail biting, and it is more common among men, as they may be less concerned about the cosmetic appearance of their nails.
It is important to note that nail biting not only affects appearance, but also health, as it can:
- Lead to bleeding and cuticle wounds
- Increase the chances of contracting bacterial or fungal nail infections.
- Cause ingrown and deformities of the nails
- Cause dental problems (cavities, tooth enamel wear, etc.) and damage to the gums and thrush due to the transmission of germs from hands to mouth.
- Give rise to stomach ailments if the nails are swallowed.
- Getting the nail stuck in the larynx or being aspirated into the lungs
folk remedies
The elimination of onychophagia is not easy, since most of the cases people do not realize when they start biting their nails. However, there are home and natural remedies that can help combat this habit.
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #1 Pour 2 teaspoons of valerian into a cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool. Strain and drink 1 cup of this infusion a day. This remedy is a natural pain reliever.
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #2 Pour 2 teaspoons of passionflower in a cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool. Strain and drink 1 cup of this infusion. This is another natural relaxant.
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #3 Chew a piece of root ginger previously washed to reduce anxiety.
You may be interested in knowing: Remedies to whiten yellow nails
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #4 Chew sugarless gum
.Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #5 Squeeze a stress ball or any other object for a few minutes to resist the urge to bite your nails.
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting # 6 Coat the nails with lemon juice, rub them with garlic or other bitter-tasting substances.
Remedy against onychophagia or nail biting #7 Use a cotton ball impregnated with olive oil. neem to rub the nails. Allow it to dry for a few minutes. The bitter taste of this oil will keep your fingers out of your mouth, and it also has antiseptic properties to prevent any infection that may occur from nail biting.
recommendations
Have a large dose of self-determination, perseverance and motivation to combat and eliminate onychophagia
Wear gloves light cotton to prevent nail biting at home.
Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation to reduce nervousness and stress.
Strengthen self-control. To do this, you must put your finger in your mouth without biting your nails. Start with at least one minute and gradually increase the time
Maybe you are interested in knowing
Maybe you are interested in knowing remedies for whitlows or paronychia
Cut round shaped nails closest to the skin of the finger and remove sharp edges to avoid being tempted to bite them.
keep a diary to record when and where nail biting is done to determine the exact cause.
try a diet rich in serotoninvitamin B and Omega-3, which are found in foods such as milk, oats, nuts, chocolate, fish, etc.
Do not use bitter-tasting nail polishsince when scraping the nails with the teeth to remove it, it is ingested, and it can be harmful to health.
Use (in the case of women) acrylic or gelatin false nails
Write down in a notebook when (when watching television, during exam time, etc.) these episodes occur In this way you can know the moments of greatest risk to which you must remain alert and make an effort not to put your fingers in your mouth.
Receive psychological help if the habit persists despite the remedies and recommendations presented.
Also know
Your nails can reveal health disorders
Vitamins and minerals to strengthen nails
Remedies for nail fungus
Natural remedies for athlete’s foot
Nutritious diet for hair, skin and nails
Remedies for ingrown or ingrown toenails
video of the month