Swine Flu Prevention and Fingernail Biting

To Avoid Exposure to H1N1, Flu and Cold Viruses, Stop Nail Biting

Sep 16, 2009 Ellen Freudenheim

With all the world talking about washing hands to reduce exposure to H1N1 and other nasty viruses and bacteria, what are "doctor's orders " for chronic nail biters

Starting from basics, the CDC has recommended that to reduce the risk of infection from influenza, whether H1N1 or whatever garden-variety strain of flu might be dominant this year, people wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes, noses, and mouths. “One of the ways that flu is spread is by touching a surface contaminated with flu, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The key here is the mucus membrane that allows the flu to enter your system, according to a CDC spokesperson.

And certainly, sticking unwashed hands into one’s mouth a dozen times a day is not recommended.

However, fingernail biters are notorious for doing just that: sticking a finger or several, into the mouth, for a nibble at the nail, the hangnail, the cuticle or the skin surrounding the fingernail. When that finger goes into the mouth for a nibble or a gnaw, it’s likely to stay there for a few seconds, touching teeth, lips and possibly tongue.

And where does the bitten-off nail (or bit of cuticle, or shard of skin) go once it’s been detached from the finger? Also directly into one’s mouth, of course.

Fingers into Mouth, a Gateway to Infection

Usually, fingernail biting is just a bad habit.

But, in the event of a H1N1 epidemic, should that occur, fingernail biting could be an invitation to infection.

Pointing out the many daily opportunities for one’s hands to pick up dirt, germs, bacteria and viruses, Chicago-based pediatrician Lori Walsh, MD, of Glenbrook Pediatrics, says, “Consider all the things a person does in the course of a day, from walking the dog to making food, cooking with chicken to cleaning the floors.”

Standard Ways to Stop Nail Biting

Typical nail-biting interventions include use of special foul-tasting nail polish, or attempts to keep the nails manicured and polished so that the would-be biter thinks twice. Dentists don’t love it, but chewing gum is one common alternative when the urge to chew seems irresistible.

But given the potential severity of the risk of H1N1 and other flu infection, nail biters might try something new, especially if they’ve already tried and failed to stop the nail-biting habit.

Flu Season: An Opportunity to Tame the Nail Biting Beast?

How to stop depends on the age of the biter.

For younger children, if boredom seems to trigger nail-biting, then they might simply be distracted, or given something else to do with their hands. Girls might be given a charm bracelet, and boys a Lance Armmstrong Live Strong plastic bracelet to fiddle with. If anxiety is the trigger, then reassuring the child, or, better, reducing the underlying stress, might help.

Noting that nail biting is an unconscious habit, Dr. Walsh has tried building self awareness among nail-biting kids. She says, “I've tried to isolate the behavior, suggest they go to a place where they are allowed to bite. This siphons off the habit, slows it down. They go somewhere and then bite away and then go back to everyday life.”

Teenagers are self-conscious about their appearance, and so parents can try to enlist them in looking better by having better hand hygiene and clean nails.

Adults might address the underlying source of stress, and attempt to find other ways to cope, if reducing existential anxiety proves impossible.

Behavioral therapy and even props might help.

One tiny study reported attempting to redirect the stress reactions of a nail-biting student toward squeezing a small stress ball. The investigators first assessed how often this student put his hands to his mouth, numbering about 11 times during the school day. As part of the habit-changing effort, whenever the teacher noticed his hands moving toward his mouth, the teacher would send a verbal cue to the student to squeeze the ball.

Unlike some hard-sell ”cures” offered for a fee online, this isn’t considered a panacea, and without the cues the student did fall back to his old ways.

Catch 22: Don’t Create Stress By Over Warning about Flu Risk

A word of warning to avoid backfires.

It’s common wisdom that nail biting is a stress reaction. So it’s important not to create even more stress by emphasizing that every time a nail-biter puts that hand to the mouth, they’re risking contracting an illness.

Walsh, the Chicago pediatrician, says, “As with any habit, the more you bug someone about nail biting, the more they resist.”

Her advice for parents talking to nail-biting teens holds true for anyone. “I wouldn’t panic them about the flu. I’d just say, here’s what’s going on with the flu, what ideas do you have for stopping yourself from biting your nails?"

Bottom line: It takes commitment and vigilance to change any habit, including stopping biting one's nails in the interests of reducing risk of contracting an infectious disease such as H1N1, any flu or even a common cold. Stress reduction and behavioral therapy can help. Children might benefit from use of a prop such as a stress-ball, a charm bracelet for girls or a little yellow Lance Armstrong bracelet to occupy the hands.

The copyright of the article Swine Flu Prevention and Fingernail Biting in Health Field is owned by Ellen Freudenheim. Permission to republish Swine Flu Prevention and Fingernail Biting in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Flu Season Is A Good Time To Stop Nail Biting.

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