by Jan Merlino

Created on: October 18, 2008

Onychophagia or nail biting a habit that does not discriminate according to age. Although it is commonly used as a stress reliever and the nail biter is well aware of the potential for infection, let me preface this article with a true story.

In 2001, I received a call that my father, who had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, had five months to live. Those five months, naturally, consumed my life, putting my own children and husband a far back second. The stress, for me, caused me to stop eating, not a bad thing seeing as I was overweight at the time. However, what I didn't notice, was that my twenty-two year old daughter was taking her stress out on the cuticles and nails of her hands, Those very hands worked in a laboratory, one that used dangerous chemicals.

About three days before my father's death, my daughter complained of a sore finger. I vividly remember looking over to her, not even glancing at her finger and saying, "Oh, dear, no one has ever died from a hang nail." Little did I know how wrong my off the cuff words would become.

Two days before Dad died, my daughter complained yet again. A red signal should have gone up since she was not a complainer. Still, I ignored her. Luckily, my Dad's doctor walked into the room as I was about to say, "Be glad it isn't your ring finger." He took one look at her finger, pointed out to me the black line that was clearly heading towards her arm and sternly said, "Get her to the hospital, NOW!"

Off we went, she with her hand wrapped in an antibiotic ointment provided by the kindness of Dad's doctor. After a short wait in the emergency room, she was shuttled off to surgery where her finger was lanced and a drain was put in to draw out the poison which had taken up residence inside of her index finger.

For five days, including the day Dad died, we returned to the hospital so that my daughter could receive the antibiotic intravenously. To this day, a scar remains as a reminder to:

1. Do not bite your nails.

2. Don't ignore signs of infection (Yes, I still feel guilty, but this isn't about me.)

Nail biting is habitual. Habits are hard to break. Some times the person isn't even aware that he/she is performing in that manner. Reminders do not help, they just embarrass the person, instead, I offer these suggestions:

1. For children, make sure hands are clean at all times. That means that if a child sneezes, he/she should either wash his/her hand or use some antibacterial. Most children, no matter the age, put hands to mouth on a regular basis. Many schools are now providing these in every classroom and using the very same brand used in major hospitals.

2. Give your child an incentive to stop chewing his/her nails. Start off with one nail at a time if the problem is severe. For girls, sometimes the incentive of going to a nail salon is all that it takes. For boys, perhaps an outing as well.

3. If you are the adult, treat yourself. You know that you don't want to be doing this. The habit makes you look insecure and it is unsanitary. Set a goal for yourself. Maybe you were looking at that new fishing pole or pocket book. Maybe you always wanted to be able to walk into a nail salon and get a real manicure!

Bottom line, nail biting is not only an unsanitary habit, it reeks of insecurity. Find out the basis for your stress and discover ways to deal with that. For me, it was regaining the weight, so look carefully and choose wisely. Writing is a wonderful outlet for relieving stress as is walking, reading, and exercising.

Eat rich foods full of magnesium and calcium so that your nails will repair and grow well. Be proud of your accomplishments and best wishes for healthy, shiny nails.

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