Do You Have A Habit Of Bitting Nails? Harvard Doctor Warns Of Danger

Illustration of women biting nails (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - The habit of sticking nails has often started since childhood and often continues until adulthood. Even though we know we should stop smoking nails. A doctor at Harvard Health Publishing, Toni Golen warned that the habit is not just a bad habit, but has the potential to endanger health.

"Our fingers collect germs even though we don't bite the nails. But when it bites, the nails and skin around it become damaged. This makes the dirt and bacteria that accumulate on the sidelines of the nails easier to enter through small rips on the skin," said Golen, quoted from the Mirror.co.uk page.

The doctor explained that by inserting nails into the mouth, a person actually exposes the body to various diseases. Starting from the common cold to infections such as salmonella. In addition, infection can also develop in the skin around the nails or the lower part of the nail itself.

Although difficult, doctors emphasize the importance of stopping this habit. Some of the practical suggestions given are mouth and hands so as not to be tempted to bite.

For example, if you chew rubber candy, drink water or do hand activities such as knitting and drawing.

Some former nail biters share experiences that have proven helpful. Here's how to stop biting nails.

1. Stop Gradually

Start with a set of nails first (for example the thumb), then proceed to another nail. This process can take several months, but it is relatively painful. The key is to keep the nails neat with nail scissors or files. Not neat nails often trigger the desire to bite.

2. Psychological Awareness

Some stop because realizing that they are biting their nails makes people look anxious, less confident, or stressed. The awareness that other people can judge negative from this habit as motivation to stop.

3. Rubber Bracelet Method

Using a thick rubber bracelet on the wrist. Whenever you feel like you want to bite or unconsciously do it, the rubber is pulled and then pulled off to the inside of the wrist as a small, uncomfortable warning. That way, this bad habit becomes a negative experience so that it takes a long time to reduce.

Biting nails is not just an aesthetic problem, there is a real risk of infection and germs exposure. Looking for a substitute for hand or mouth activity, tidying nails, and using simple reminder techniques can help break this habit. If you have difficulty stopping yourself, consulting health workers or behavior professionals can be the right step.