The therapist named the main reasons for the habit of biting nails

The habit of biting nails often worsens during periods of increased stress, anxiety, or emotional stress. This behavior is associated with the brain's natural response to stress and can serve as a way of self-regulation. Irina Krashkina, a psychotherapist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this on May 13.

According to the expert, in anxious situations, the body switches to the so-called survival mode: the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the level of adrenaline increases, and the brain is looking for ways to reduce internal tension. Nail biting becomes a kind of self-help mechanism. Due to sensory stimulation, the level of cortisol, the main stress hormone, decreases, and the process itself helps a person temporarily calm down.

The expert noted that at this moment, the amygdala, the structures responsible for the fear and anxiety response, is activated in the brain. Repetitive actions trigger the release of dopamine, which creates a feeling of short-term relief and strengthens the habit.

"This is a kind of vicious circle: anxiety causes an impulsive action, it brings relief, and the brain remembers this method as effective," the doctor noted.

At the same time, the causes of onychophagia, which is the name of the nail—biting habit, are not always solely related to stress. Among the possible factors, the specialist identifies boredom, behavioral patterns that have been fixed since childhood, iron or zinc deficiency, as well as some dental features. In some cases, onychophagia may be a marker of more serious psychological disorders.

"If a habit is expressed intensely and a person cannot control it, it may be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, or depression. Onychophagia itself is not considered a separate disease, but it requires attention as a diagnostic signal," Krashkina emphasized.

The specialist warned that permanent damage to the nail plate and the skin around it can lead to inflammation, bacterial infections, deformity of the nail bed and even increase the risk of dental problems.

To combat the habit, the doctor recommends first of all to identify triggers — situations in which there is a desire to bite nails. Special bitter nail coatings, breathing relaxation techniques, sugar-free chewing gum, and anti-stress toys can help. You should consult a specialist if the habit persists for more than a year, accompanied by skin damage, bleeding, insomnia, or panic attacks.

"If self-control does not help, it is important not to be ashamed of this problem, but to seek help. The sooner you start working with the cause, the sooner you will be able to get rid of the habit," concluded the psychotherapist.

On December 18, Olga Ulankina, a doctor and expert at the Hemotest laboratory, said that prolonged stress can seriously undermine health. Despite this, often the person himself does not pay attention that he is under constant pressure. According to the expert, chronic stress can manifest itself in the form of obsessive actions, when people, for example, in tension, begin to jerk or swing their legs, sway from side to side, move their jaw, snap their knuckles.