The Dutch, known for their liberal democracy and a proclivity for living below sea level, may have come up with the cure for compulsive nail biting. The gadget, a guard that fits over the teeth, makes it impossible to bite nails. Eventually, after many failed attempts, the biter is subconsciously trained not to chomp at his fingertips.
Nail biting causes no long-term damage. It is, however, unsanitary and can lead to infections or warts in the nail bed. Also, if an onychophage puts an oft-bitten finger into his gob, the chances for cold and flu increase.
The biting of the nails is often a symptom of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Once the nails are bitten off, the biter is often depressed and ashamed of his ragged digits, causing even further anxiety.
Hair pulling, skin picking, blemish squeezing, cheek biting and nail chewing all fall into the category of body-focused repetitive disorders. It is thought that 5% of the population may suffer from these disorders. Sufferers may hide bald spots, self-inflicted lesions, and worn cuticles from friends and family or simply refuse to go into public.
If a loved one has tattered fingertips and he keeps saying, "Oops. I fell into a patch of Venus Flytraps again," and he is not some sort of botanist, but actually a banker by trade. He might be a nail biter. (Jeff Foxworthy might have written that joke if he were a dermatologist instead of a humorously-mustached southern man. )
In all seriousness, if you know someone who suffers from a body-focused repetitive disorder, they should see an anxiety specialist for stress and a dermatologist to help repair the damage to the skin, nails or hair. To find a doctor near you click here.
