The Biting Nails Disorder

The Biting Nails Disorder

To many the biting nails disorder may not seem like a big problem at all, but when you look a bit closer at the behavior associated with this ailment it becomes clear that it’s very problematic. The technical word for nail biting is Onychophagia and signs of the problem generally begin to show in children between the ages of 4 and 10.

Studies show that about 30% of all Americans show signs of a biting nails disorder, so it’s a lot more common than people think. Research has also shown that the behavior associated with nail biting is most prevalent around the time of puberty and typically seems to diminish with age.

The side effects of nail biting in adolescents are typically short, ragged nails. Nail biting in children can also lead to cuticle damage, bleeding and damage to the edges of the nails. Infections are also something to watch out for when a child bites his or her nails.

A study conducted in the Chicago school system by Malon and Massmer found that more than half of the children between the ages of 8 and 10 showed signs of nail biting. Another result from this study showed that nail biting is a learned habit that children pick up from their parents or people they’re commonly around.

Anyone who suffers as a nail biter will tell you how hard it is to stop. Nail biting is a very difficult habit to overcome. Many attempt to identify the reasons behind nail biting and solve it that way, but the problem is often very deep rooted and private. Some even define nail biting as an indulgence.

Whatever the reasons behind the biting nails disorder, it’s clear that it’s in-fact a very prevalent problem and is immune to class, race and gender. That’s not to say there is no hope however and why we created this site. Our site is here to provide solutions and to teach you how to stop biting your nails.