In fact, this habit is called “nail swallowing” in medical language. In general, people bite their nails when they feel anxious or stressed. This habit may seem small, but its harms can be significant. The same thing happened with this woman as well. A small tear in the skin near the nail gradually turned into a painful infection, which the doctor had to treat for several months. (Avatar)

How does nail biting cause infection?
When the skin surrounding the nail is cut or torn, bacteria can easily enter the body from there. In fact, there are hundreds of types of germs in our mouths. When we bite our nails, these germs can enter through small cuts and cause a bacterial infection called paronychia.

Symptoms of infection
This type of infection usually begins with mild redness, swelling, and pain. But if attention is not taken in time, it can escalate into a serious condition. In many cases, pus forms, pain increases and the infection can spread deep inside the finger.

treatment
Sometimes antibiotics must be given for treatment. In severe cases, doctors may have to perform an operation to remove the pus (incision and drainage), and in some cases, surgery may also be needed. Although not all nail biters have this problem, there is always a risk because bacteria in the mouth can easily spread the infection. Therefore, it is not right to take this habit lightly.

How to get into the nail biting habit
– Always keep your nails short and clean
– Use strong-tasting nail polish
– Avoid biting or chewing the nail or the skin surrounding it
– If the skin is cut, clean it immediately and use an antiseptic.