Why you should stop that dirty habit of biting your nails when stressed or bored
Practise you accept the tendency to seize with teeth your nails whenever you feel bored or stressed? You're not alone.
According to DTAP Clinic'due south resident doctor Julian Hong, information technology's quite prevalent in Singapore – most ane in 5 young adults between the ages of 17 and 35, and information technology could potentially be higher as people might either be unware information technology's an consequence or are shy in seeking help.
"The numbers over the age of 40 are not as well-known and documented," he added, while also pointing out that the addiction tends to affect more females than males.
So why do people bite their nails? Some say it'south a machinery – a way for you to entertain or soothe yourself, much similar a baby does with a pacifier.
Only while Dr Hong says there'due south "no known cause to why people bite their nails", in that location'southward a possibility information technology could be in your genes.
"From the genetics point of view, some studies have shown that people who bite their nails, four in 10 have a family member with this habit every bit well. Twin studies have besides showed a strong support for this genetic element," he said.
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And while many of us call back information technology'southward harmless, the addiction of chronic blast-biting (also known every bit onychophagia) may exist linked to an obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety disorder, "although this is not ever the case", said Dr Hong.
WHAT'S THE DAMAGE?
Other than unsightly nails, there are health issues that can arise from the addiction. For instance, the biting tin create deformity of the nail edge, the nail bed and the smash plate, said Dr Hong. "Infections tin can also take root in the boom."
Every bit if that'due south not deterring plenty, "impairment to the nail and the surrounding skin tin as well make one more susceptible to viral infections such every bit herpes and fifty-fifty viral warts", he said.
Furthermore, boom-bitter transfers leaner from the fingers to your mouth, and in some cases, "strong antibody resistant bacteria tin can be transferred, resulting in infection of the gums and even teeth", said Dr Hong.
HOW Tin You STOP THE HABIT?
Growing up, nail biters were probably subjected to scolding, concrete punishment and getting chilli sauce smeared on their fingertips to deter them. Simply a better approach would exist to help the nail biter realise the alert signs that lead to the action before the nail biting occurs, and how to arbitrate with a distraction or alternative response, said Dr Hong.
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For instance, as yous are almost to bite your nails, stop and pause for a few moments before putting your fingers to your teeth. "The interruption would be the warning sign, and the intervention could exist meditation and deep breathing," he said.
At that place are also other strategies such as applying safe but bitter-tasting nail polish, or using colourful wristbands to attract your attention when y'all enhance your hand to your oral fissure.
There are some mood medications that take been used to reduce nail-biting but with "express success", said Dr Hong. For instance, n-acetyl-cysteine, a forerunner to amino acid cysteine, can regulate glutamine and play a part in the reward reinforcement system.
"This medication is bachelor over the counter and is relatively safe," he said. Notwithstanding, double-blinded control studies did non prove it to exist more than successful than a placebo, he added. Consult a md first earlier cocky-medicating.
Relapses tin happen when y'all're trying to break the bicycle, and sometimes, they can recur even afterwards more than 3 months, said Dr Hong. "Getting out of it again would crave another intervention. This can exist i of the above pharmacological, non-pharmacological interventions, a combination of both, or other strategies. At that place are no proven strategies and information technology differs from person to person."
You should seek medical aid if you are unable to cope with the nail-biting, and your daily life and quality of life are affected, advised Dr Hong. Meet a md, besides, if you lot keep failing to break the cycle, or if you need other strategies, he said.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/nail-biting-how-to-quit-bad-habit-237786
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