It’s not an uncommon phenomenon: teenagers bite their fingernails from time to time. However, you should refrain from doing this – on the one hand, it doesn’t look nice and, on the other hand, it can even have health consequences. But why is it actually so risky:
Let’s be honest: chewed fingernails look totally uncool! And yet most people can’t help themselves. Incidentally, experts call this onychophagia – the causes of chewing fingernails include stress, nervousness and behavioral disorders. Regardless of the reason you bite your nails, it can have health consequences. As soon as the nail bed is exposed, there is a risk of inflammation. Because there are numerous bacteria under our nails – if there are permanent open spots, they can get into the nail bed. This can cause nail bed inflammation, but warts can also form more quickly.
In the worst case, there is a risk of blood poisoning
And even serious consequences such as blood poisoning are not excluded. A Brit bit his fingernails in 2017 – and accidentally caught some skin next to the nail. “It hurt a little bit, but I didn’t think anything of it,” he told the magazine The Sun. Then flu-like symptoms followed – but the 28-year-old didn’t go to the doctor. Only later did his mother call the emergency doctor following his finger became swollen. The diagnosis: Bacteria got into the blood through the open wounds – blood poisoning (sepsis) ensued.
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Severe inflammation is possible
Another Facebook user also shared shocking photos on Facebook. She shared snaps of a yellow-swollen finger from a friend who previously chewed his fingers. He chewed on it so much that he ended up in the hospital – he had a serious infection on his finger that almost traveled up his arm and might have been fatal. This might only be prevented by an emergency operation. The user sends an important message to all users: “A message to all nail biters out there: STOP!!!”
Teeth can be damaged
However, other health consequences can also occur, because biting your nails can also damage your teeth – among other things, gingivitis or broken teeth are not uncommon. This can also have an effect on the stomach: the remains of the nail usually end up in the stomach – but they cannot be digested. The result: You get severe stomach pains! Incidentally, in the worst case, the nail no longer grows back – and if the nail bed is permanently exposed, this can cause pain. Already read? This will make your fingernails grow faster
