The continuous and repeated biting of the nails and the skin around it is a compensatory tool to stem states of anxiety but can reach dangerous levels
It is very common to see people who tend to bite their nails and cuticles, especially in moments of strong nervousness or anxiety . However, at severe and high levels this habit can lead to a real psychopathological disorder known as onychophagy .
Onychophagy: what it is
The term nail biting defines a disorder linked to specific repetitive and compulsive behaviors such as repeatedly biting the fingernails and toenails and the skin around them. People who suffer from it tend to assume this behavior repeatedly, often without realizing it, acting in a completely automatic and involuntary way .
Although always present, the tendency to eat nails and the like is accentuated in difficult periods of nervousness, stress and anxiety , or on the contrary in those of boredom or inactivity .
Therefore, many scholars agree in defining this attitude as an attempt to reduce the unpleasant sensations deriving from a state of discomfort and the associated tension. The serious consequences are evident, both physically and mentally, but also socially and relationally.
Onychophagy: consequences
The consequences of repeated biting of nails and cuticles are many and, in the most serious cases, also particularly invasive and dangerous.
In fact, at the body level, bleeding in the nail area is frequent due to the continuous tearing of nails and skin, with subsequent redness, burning and pain, as well as weakening of the nail itself.
More serious consequences such as herpetic finger , onychomycosis, infections can not be excluded.This gesture and the substances contained in the nail can cause serious damage to the teeth, ruining the enamel and therefore increasing the fragility of the teeth and the possibility of developing cavities.
Furthermore, since the nails are the deposit and transport of microbes, it is easy to develop infections or alterations in the mouth and in the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract , up to problems in the stomach and intestines.
On a psychological level, the consequences can derive from an increase in levels of tension and anxiety and an increase in compulsive and repetitive behaviors , as well as alteration of social behavior due to shame , discomfort caused both by tension and behavior, and by the aesthetic condition generated by it. .
Onychophagy: causes
At the base of onychophagy there are multiple factors and causes . In the first place, high and constant levels of stress and anxiety can be one of the triggers and maintenance factors of this behavior. In fact, the individual eats the nails and cuticles next to them in an attempt to reduce tension and stress.
It has been observed that the frequency and pervasiveness of onychophagy is closely related to the levels of perceived anxiety and stress and to periods of greater discomfort.
Another frequent cause is boredom, or the sensation often derived from inactivity and the absence of stimuli. In fact, it seems that this sensation creates a void that nail biting fills, reducing the level of discomfort experienced.
In the most complex and serious cases, and sometimes in coexistence with other psycho-emotional discomforts, onychophagy can be associated with self-harm in which the unpleasant sensations of anger, frustration and aggression are acted on towards oneself.
Another very frequent cause is emulation , especially in children, nail biting is activated to mimic what an adult sees. Furthermore, sometimes it is possible to detect a consolidation of a dysfunctional habit which is difficult to eliminate. This behavior can occur at all ages and in a more or less pervasive way, however a high incidence has been found in children and adolescents in whom the expression of discomfort and tension leads to the activation of compensatory strategies in order to reduce and manage their own lived, often difficult to understand.
Onychophagy: treatments
Treatment of nail biting depends on the severity of the disorder and its pervasiveness and nature. One of the first methods used to reduce the frequency with which the individual bites his nails is to place bitter and bad tasting nail polishes , creams or ointments, in order to postpone a strongly negative and annoying feedback when ingesting the fingernail or the skin next to it. In addition to these, a frequent manicure has sometimes proved to be a good remedy in milder cases.
However, especially in the most serious cases, with strong psychological elements such as high stress, anxiety and tension at the base, it is very important to ask for help from a specialist, psychologist or psychotherapist .
The aim is, on the one hand, to act on behavior, with the promotion of more functional attitudes to reduce tensions , and on the other, to work and intervene on the underlying causes and to restore a condition of well-being and balance. Where the consequences of onychophagy are serious on a physical level, it may be necessary to consult a dermatologist for pharmacological treatment of the nail area, and / or a gastroenterologist to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal system, which is often compromised.
