Doctor Warns That Biting Your Nails Could Be Bad For Your Health

‌Biting your nails is a common habit that many of us don't even realize we have. Sometimes an indication of nerves or emotional distress, nail biting is also a boredom habit. It may be comforting, or relaxing, or simply just feel natural, but unfortunately, this habit can leave you with some health-related consequences.

According to Samuel Mathis, M.D., board-certified family medicine doctor and assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, frequently biting your nails can lead to both short and long-term side effects on your health, increasing the chances of infection. Plus, it can be harmful for your nails themselves. "Nail biting can cause damage to the nail bed on the long term which can affect nail growth," Dr. Mathis tells Glam in an exclusive conversation. "Additionally, nail biting can damage the skin around the nails and cause pain and swelling of the fingers. This can cause ingrown nails and cause significant pain and damage to the skin around the fingers."

Luckily, Dr. Mathis has a few trusty tips to stop nail biting in its tracks. Let's take a closer look at exactly why we should give up this habit — even if it's comforting — and just how to go about it.

As Dr. Samuel Mathis outlined above, biting your nails can damage your actual nails. But an equally worrying risk that it poses to your health is the possibility of infection. "In the short-term, nail biting increases your risk of infections in the nail, finger, or even systemic infections," he shares exclusively with Glam. "Our hands are covered with numerous bacteria, and we can introduce those bacteria to our body by bringing it to our mouth." Dr. Mathis also notes that it's possible to contract the flu, the common cold, or even COVID-19 by touching your mouth and biting your nails.

While infection is generally a short-term problem easily cleared up with a course of antibiotics, nail biting can also result in more long-term complications, particularly in the way of dental issues. Dr. Mathis reveals that this habit can cause "damage to the teeth and gums" along with "damage to the roots of our teeth" thanks to the pressure in the jaw when biting.

If you're a nail biter, you aren't alone. The good news is there are some simple hacks that will help you break this problematic habit. "Keep your nails short and cut in an appropriate shape," Dr. Samuel Mathis advises. After all, you can't bite what isn't there! He adds, "Toenails should be cut to just the edge of the toe. Fingernails should be cut in a round shape around the edge of the finger."

In our exclusive chat, Dr. Mathis also notes that simply wearing nail polish can help, since the chemical-like taste can make the habit extremely unappealing. He also advises paying for a professional manicure, since you'll be more incentivized to avoid ruining them if they cost you money. Sometimes, getting fake nails can help you kick the habit, too. "Most of the time nail biting is usually a response to a stressful trigger," Dr. Mathis goes on. "Identifying and managing those triggers is also super helpful." Along with keeping your stress in check with a stress tracker, you could try journaling about your feelings, engaging in a meditation practice, exercising, or even chatting with a professional to help keep your stress levels at bay, and keep your nails untouched and healthy.