A recent story shared by a young woman on Sohu serves as a cautionary tale for those with a nail-biting habit. Unbeknownst to many, this seemingly harmless action landed her in the hospital with a severe infection.

Hospitalized Due to Nail Biting

The video, posted on TikTok by @breezzyy.yy, quickly garnered attention. In the video, the young woman shows her heavily bandaged hand, with only her thumb exposed. The caption reads, “A warning sign that you should stop biting your nails,” accompanied by a crying emoji.

According to her account, a small wound caused by picking the skin around her nail provided an entry point for bacteria, resulting in severe swelling. Consequently, she had to undergo surgery to remove the infected tissue.

Illustrative image

“I have a habit of biting my nails and picking the skin around them. This damages the skin, allowing bacteria, viruses, and fungi to enter,” she shared in the video. “If the wound turns red, swells, and hurts, antibiotics or antifungal medication may be necessary.”

Expert Warning

The video quickly went viral, amassing over 50 million views and thousands of comments. Many shared similar experiences, attributing them to this habit.

According to medical experts, Onychophagia—the scientific term for nail-biting—is a common habit, especially among children and adolescents. Research suggests that children whose parents bite their nails are more likely to adopt this behavior, even if the parents stop before the child is born.

Nail biting often occurs unconsciously, stemming from stress or anxiety. However, if prolonged, it can damage keratin, hinder nail growth, and lead to severe infections, skin inflammation, and permanent damage.

Apart from aesthetic concerns, these injuries can be painful and disruptive to daily life. Therefore, experts advise those who bite their nails to break the habit before it’s too late.

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