Paronychia - The Dangers of Nail Biting and Potential Life-Threatening Consequences

As a child, my mum would yell at us if we bite our fingers with our teeth. She would even spank us in very worse cases. We didn't see it as a bad thing, at least I and my siblings didn't but over the years when we see adults doing such, it looks very odd, and then we start to think of what she did as a lifesaver. If you are one of those people who still bite your fingernails, then you might need to stop because I will be uncovering something you didn't know about biting your nails that could even cost you your life if not quickly treated.

Nail biting is often an unconscious act, driven by boredom, anxiety, stress, frustration, or even excitement. While a bit of swelling and redness around the nail area might seem ordinary for chronic nail biters, there's a more sinister consequence that can arise. Picture this: a greenish tinge develops where the nail meets the skin, indicating the presence of a condition called Paronychia.

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You might not see Paronychia as a big deal but let me explain it a little. It is caused by the inflammation of the lateral nail fold, or proximal nail fold on the fingers or toes, known as perionychium as a result of a disturbance. This can be a result of activities such as nail biting, hangnail picking, ingrown nails, trauma to the area by accident, fake nails, and excessive cutting of the area during manicures.

A broken skin in the nail might look small, but the fact remains that bacteria can cause infection which would surely cause the body to begin inflammation of the area. Paronychia can either be acute or chronic depending on the cause. Infections are responsible for acute paronychia which usually happens in one nail, but then the infection becomes chronic it is caused by irritants such as chemicals, acids, alkalines, and so on, and the infection and symptoms exceed six weeks, affecting more than one finger. Basically, chronic paronychia can be associated with the type of profession, as it is common with swimmers, bartenders, florists, and so on.

The symptoms of paronychia don't manifest overnight; it takes time for them to become visible. Early signs may include pain, swelling, tenderness, and small cuts around the nail. Over time, the swelling may lead to pus formation, forming an abscess on the finger. When these symptoms are noticed, prompt treatment is crucial; however, some individuals may choose to ignore them.

When neglected and not treated, it can keep spreading through the finger and could lead to amputation. If you think it isn't serious, then take a look at the case of Luke Hanoman who almost lost his life as a result of biting his nail which got infected and he had sepsis. You see, Onychophagia is a very common practice with a lot of adults who do it unconsciously. Also, people who suffer from OCD have a higher chance of biting their nails but because nail biting is repetitive, doesn't mean it is a compulsion.

Compulsion is often related to anxiety, but we can see that nail biting often comes with pleasure, as they want to do even when they want to stop. It works as a relief for a lot of people, a way to take away anxiousness, and other form of feelings or distraction,but then biting your nails could come with concequencies.

Though it might bring temporary relief or distraction, nail biting comes with consequences that extend far beyond aesthetics. So, if you're an avid nail biter, it's time to recognize the potential risks and prioritize breaking this habit before it takes a serious toll on your health.

Reference

• https://www.iflscience.com/a-man-was-hospitalized-and-nearly-died-after-biting-his-nails-47523
• https://impulsetherapy.com/ocd-and-nail-biting-is-there-a-connection/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7497389/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544307/
• https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1106062-overview