Nail-biting, or onychophagia, is a condition that involves chewing on the nails, cuticles and soft tissue around the nail beds. A child that feels nervous, anxious or worried may engage in nail-biting without even realizing that she is doing so. For some children, skin picking also may accompany this body-focused behavior.
Repetitive Behavior
Nail-biting is a repetitive behavior that relieves tension and has a calming effect on the child. In some children, nail-biting may even offer a sense of security. The University of Pittsburgh explains that children who engage in repetitive behaviors such as nail-biting often outgrow these habits by the age of 3. However, anxiety-related nail-biting may continue into adulthood if the stress lingers or intensifies.
Intervention
Nail-biting usually is not a cause for concern and drawing attention to such repetitive behaviors tends to make them worse. Unless the nail-biting is interfering with the child's quality of life, the best recourse is to avoid mentioning it altogether. According to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, medical intervention may be necessary if the nail-biting is so excessive that it leads to bleeding.
Treatment
Treatment for body-focused repetitive behaviors focuses on physical barriers and behavioral changes. Alleviating home- or school-related stressors can help. According to New York University's Langone Medical Center, the substitution of another activity such as the use of a stress ball can help curb nail-biting. In some cases, brushing on an anti-nail-biting polish is enough to put an end to nail-biting. These polishes have a bitter taste that makes nail-biting less appealing.
Risks
Health risks go hand in hand with this habit. Biting the nails or picking the skin around the nails can lead to redness, soreness and swelling in the affected area. Continued trauma to the nails and skin may lead to bleeding. New York University's Langone Medical Center explains that infections of the skin, nail bed and mouth are a valid concern when it comes to repetitive nail-biting. Over the long term, nail-biting interferes with overall nail health.
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