Nail Biting ana COVID-19 - M.A.Aleem Neurologist #Trichy #Tamilnadu #India

Nail Biting and COVID-19 

- M.A.Aleem Neurologist #Trichy #Tamilnadu #India 

The news of the COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of people on edge. And for some of us, that anxiety can lead to some nervous habits.

Nail-biting is the most common of the typical nervous habits.

During the spreading pandemic, that bad habit could be dangerous.

The virus needs to get in the lining of mouth, nose or eyes to infect a person. 

 And so anything you do to kind of help the virus get from the outside world into those moist parts of your face is going to increase your risk of catching the virus.

The bacteria, viruses, dirt, and debris can collect under the nails, and can then be transferred to your mouth if you bite your nails. 

You may bite your nails without realizing you are doing it. You might be involved in another activity, such as reading, watching television, or talking on the phone, and bite your nails without thinking about it.

Every time you touch your face — especially your mouth, nose, and eyes — you’re transferring all of those germs under your nails and you can get sick.

The  germs going into the mouth is the easiest way you can contract any infection.

In addition to oral health, nail biting also makes humans more likely to become infected by bacteria or a virus like COVID-19. 

 The hands can easily transfer germs into the body through the saliva, and also through abrasions in the skin around the nail bed that can form during constant nibbling.

Biting your nails can seriously increase your risk of contracting coronavirus.

Any pre existing nail conditions may  make nail difficult to cleanse, increases the carriage of pathogens, and the potential to transmit infections to self and others. This concern holds more importance during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 has the potential to remain stable on the surface like metal or plastic objects for at least 48-72 hours. Although it's not yet known how long the virus can remain stable on skin and nails, it can still spread during spontaneous self-touch to face with infected hands or nails.

However, special attention to nail care is of utmost importance during this COVID-19 Pandemic .

The nails should be kept short and well-trimmed (free edge being <0.5 cm or ¼ inch long). Long nails besides harboring pathogens on the undersurface, can also cause puncture of gloves if you are wearing. 

Excessive trimming and cuticle cutting should also be avoided as it can disrupt the barrier protection of nail. During hand washing, the undersurface of the nails should not be missed and diligently cleaned with soap or alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds.

Nail-biting and chewing must be avoided. In case of a hangnail, it should not be pulled out or ripped. Rather it should be cut with a clean nail cutter.

Manicure, cuticle cutting, and nail filing should be avoided. Artificial and gel nails should be avoided as they are difficult to clean and harbor more pathogens than normal nails. Studies have shown that after cleansing, pathogen clearing was significantly lower in artificial or acrylic nails than healthy nails. It is recommended to avoid the application of nail polish. If applied, the film should not be cracked or chipped and must be regularly removed. Nail polish worn for more than four days or chipped nail coat has a potential to carry pathogens that resist cleansing by handwashing.

The nail care is an important aspect of maintaining hygiene, more so during COVID-19 Pandemic. The  health care workers exposed to the high-risk areas of hospitals, need to give special attention to nail hygiene in addition to hand hygiene.