Onychophagia

Onychophagia: causes, consequences and methods of combating

Onychophagia, or nail biting, is a common behavioral disorder that can negatively impact a person's health and well-being. In this article we will look at the reasons for this habit, its consequences and ways to combat it.

Causes of onychophagia

Onychophagia can be caused by various factors, both physical and psychological. Physical causes include a lack of vitamins and minerals, damage to the nail plate, and diseases of the skin of the hands. However, the main factor contributing to the development of onychophagia is the psychological state of a person.

Stress, anxiety, nervousness, as well as problems in your personal life and at work can cause the habit of biting your nails. Often, onychophagia occurs in children and adolescents during stressful situations related to study, social adaptation or family problems.

Consequences of onychophagia

Although onychophagia may seem like a minor problem, it can lead to serious health consequences. Nail biting can damage the nail bed and the skin around it, which can lead to infection and pain. Prolonged nail biting can also lead to nail deformation and splitting.

In addition, onychophagia can affect a person's psychological state. Nail biting can become a difficult habit to break, which can lead to poor self-esteem and mood.

Ways to combat onychophagia

The fight against onychophagia begins with understanding the causes of its occurrence. If onychophagia is caused by stress or anxiety, it is recommended that you see a psychologist or psychotherapist for help with these problems.

Additionally, there are several methods that can help combat onychophagia. For example, you can wear gloves or wrap your fingers in adhesive tape to reduce the possibility of nail biting. You can also use special nail products that have a bitter taste, which can help discourage nail biting.

In conclusion, onychophagia is a common behavioral disorder that can lead to serious consequences for a person's health and psychological well-being. To combat this habit, it is necessary to understand its causes and apply effective ways to combat it. If you suffer from onychophagia, seek help from a specialist to solve the problem and get rid of the negative consequences on your health and well-being.

Onychophagia is considered to be an obsessive desire to eat human nail plates. Initially, this disease implied regular eating of cuticles. Subsequently, this behavior is classified as a full-fledged disease, which is classified under code F42.6 (in ICD-10) and is called food rigidity (pedinglipsia).

Food mania is incredibly common among children and teenagers. However, there are cases of mental pathology in adults. Onychphagia can be inherited from one of the parents. This is how a personality disorder manifests itself and a desire for self-destruction is observed.

The development of food mania in a child is almost always accompanied by developing signs of pedantry, a sense of superiority, and paranoia.