8/14/2023 0 Comments Breaking habits of hair chewing![]() ![]() Change What You Chewįor many, the pen top or pencil eraser is more than just a part of a writing utensil – it's a snack! Okay, not really – most people don't eat them (we hope). For some of my younger patients, I've recommended fidget spinners – those are still cool, right?" These days, they even make 'therapy dough' that can make your hands smell like lavender. When you get stressed, anxious, bored, or even just hungry, reach for something else to keep your hands busy. "I always recommend keeping your nails trimmed to avoid temptation. Dheeraj Taranath, Regional Medical Director The polish goes directly onto your nails and tastes bitter to deter you from chomping down." "Some of my patients have had success breaking their nail-biting habit with the help of a special polish sold at many drug stores and pharmacies. We asked our own MedExpress healthcare professionals how they've helped their patients tackle nail biting. Have we convinced you to stop biting your nails yet? In some cases, these bacteria and viruses can cause other illnesses like the dreaded flu, strep throat, and much more. These bacteria and viruses can then return the favor by making their way down to your gut, possibly wreaking havoc on your digestive system and causing unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. So what happens when you bite your nails after touching these surfaces? You're giving bacteria and viruses a direct, non-stop, all-expenses paid trip straight to your mouth. The nails (and under the nails) might be some of the biggest collectors of this daily dirt and grime. ![]() And some of these surfaces are pretty darn dirty. ![]() Whether it's your keyboard at work that hasn't been sanitized since, oh, maybe last year, the pump at the gas station that had kind of an icky, gooey substance on it, or even just the faucet in your bathroom, our hands touch dozens of different surfaces each day. Think about how many things, places, and people your hands and fingers touch every day. While the jury's still out on exactly why people bite their nails, we do have a pretty good understanding of why you shouldn't. And some even believe people do it because it's satisfying and, well, it just feels good! Others think it has more to do with the fact that it's a way to pass the time when you're hungry or bored. Many believe it has to do with stress and anxiety. Researchers are still trying to "nail" down (ha – get it?) the reasons why people habitually gnaw at the tips of their fingers. ![]() Nearly 20 to 30 percent of people across all age groups suffer from onychophagia – the very fancy scientific word for habitual nail biting. If you're a nail biter, find relief in the fact that you're not alone. We have a list of the four biggest, baddest bad-habit culprits – and tips from our very own MedExpress healthcare providers about how you can start to break them. It turns out that those little habits that you've never really thought about before – like nail biting and pencil chewing – could be impacting your health in a big way. It's been like that for as long as you can remember, and nothing bad has happened – yet. So what? You've always been a nail biter, especially when you're trying to make that really, really tight deadline at work. ![]()
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