Eating your nails too much, a habit called onychophagia, can lead to several negative health consequences.
Here's a breakdown of what can happen:
- Infections: You may experience soreness or infection in and on the skin around your nails because of bacteria entering through damaged skin. Dirty fingers placed in your mouth can also lead to more frequent colds and other illnesses.
- Nail Damage:
- The tissue that makes your nails grow can be damaged, leading to changes in how your nails look.
- Abnormal growth of the nails is also possible.
- Dental Problems: Chewing hard nails can cause damage to your teeth.
In summary, chronic nail-biting presents multiple risks to your health.