How Biting His Fingernails Tragically Killed a 40-Year-Old

A woman almost got an amputation, two guys nearly died from the same thing, and someone actually died after doing this common bad habit. Who knew that biting your nails could be that dangerous? Yes it looks messy; but how could fingernail biting hurt anyone? Let’s get into it!

Sources:

[Lauren Nichols — the Girl who almost had a Finger Amputated]

[Paronychia]

[Near-Death Cases for Nail Biting]

[John Gardner - Passed Away from Nail Biting]

[Why Do People Bite Their Nails?]

[How to Stop Nail Biting]

Other Sources:

[Brew’s intro song]
Manhattan Twist by Avocado Junkie

[Music Licensing]
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[Brew]

Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this episiode!

[maddy_]

I was a nailbiter since early childhood until I turned 19. I don't know how I managed to stop but I'm glad I did.

[Smokie]

I had my gall bladder nearly explode and go septic a few years ago. Sickest, shittiest, worst ive ever felt. Definitely not something you can just 'push through'

[susi]

I was a nail biter since I grew teeth and I also suffer with major anxiety disorder, I use to bite my nails til they bled and pulsed with pain. I’m honestly so surprised I never got an infection. (I stopped biting them a year ago)

[kevtb]

I bit my nails for 2 decades and only recently stopped. I always said it didn't bother me that much and it didn't. Until I saw my nails in the photos of our engagement rings.
Still I found it hard to break the lifelong habit.
What started it was simply being away hiking for 2 weeks. I was too busy and tired to be bored and focus on them. All of a sudden noticed they looked better than in years.
I then bought myself for the first time ever a nail set and rather than picking at them and continuing the cycle I took pride in keeping them tidy. It was just a change of perspective. A healthy positive habit rather than a destructive negative habit. It took no more effort. Once they start looking good it becomes self fulfilling.

We are getting married in 2 days and I just had my first ever nail appointment to have them looking their best for the day. Proud of myself.

[ericbazinga]

Imagine biting your nails then seeing this

[Emiryyon]

What is shocking to me is the fact that the so many medical professionals underestimate the issue or brush it off and people are so close to death each time (except the last example that dies)

[charvisaur]

I actually got hospitalized because of an infected finger from nail biting as a kid. I thought nothing of it back then, Every once in a while I'd have to drain the pus out and it hurt a lot, but I didn't think for a second that my life could have been at risk.

It took me another 10 years to finally break my nail biting habit. Thankfully it didn't take another serious hospital visit. I just started clipping, filing, and buffing my nails so they look good.

That made me not want to ruin them by biting them, and when I put them in my mouth i would feel the smooth surface and that would remind me not to bite it.

Now I frequently find myself flabbergasted at how fast my nails grow. You never notice when you bite them because they don't get a chance, but they get long so quickly.

[TheVirusOfHumanity]

I’m able to quit for months at a time, but never for good, it’s maddening. Once I ruin one nail it’s over for the rest.

[carolinacoreas]

Been a nail biter since early childhood, still am (I'm 21 now). It's something I've tried quiting several times with many different methods and nothing is foolproof because I lack self control. I usually wash my hands before and after chewing my nails though, so that's probably why I've never gotten any infection on my nails or fingers. The longest I've gone without biting my nails has been less than a month. My nails look horrible, but I'm just too riddled with anxiety and depression to stop.

[Brambrew]

As a nailbiter, I deal with periungual warts. They're caused by a strain of HPV but are mostly harmless and luckily don't spread to genitals, but they're still annoying. They're supposed to clear up within 1-2 years so I try to make sure the virus doesn't spread to my other fingers or to other people. At the very least, wash your hands frequently if you're a nailbiter.

[lavenderdust]

I have trichotillomania (hair pulling) and dermatillomania (skin picking) and I've done an immense amount of research in order to understand my condition and manage to control it.
I just want to say: your explanation on body focused repetitive disorders is absolutely spot on. So many people know very little about their condition, and there's so much misinformation and stigma it's crazy. Thanks for spreading good information from legitimate sources, not many people understand that you can't "just stop".

[LolloTheChoco]

One way I stopped myself from biting my nails was painting them! Whenever I needed to stim, I'd chip away at the nail polish instead of biting them.
It worked for me! So yea, I recommend!

[Groovynerdmm]

Thank you so much for doing a video on this type of infection. I just had to take my partner to their urgent care for this exact thing. When he told me what his symptoms were and showed me his finger I recalled watching this video month's prior, we rewatched it and went to urgent care. They were able to drain the infection and give him some antibiotics. Thank you so much Brew!!

[phungphuong]

According to Brew, everything I do is potentially deadly, from eating spicy food, sitting on an office chair, having a Christmas tree and now to nail biting.




I am still grateful for the warning though <3

[aminelazrak]

I used to be an extreme finger biter since my childhood.
I found out that it was probably due to perfectionnism and OCD > ( I couldn't tolerate seeying/feeling/touching imprefections on my nails and so, I bite them trying to fix them.)
My solution was to carry out a nail clipper on my pocket WHEREVER I go and it's working wonders for abt 10 years now :). My nails even got prettier and healthier over the years

[TessaStarz]

Nail biter: *Bites nails nervously while watching the video*
Also Nail biter:😱😱😱

[arielvidal]

I have bad dermatillomania and I'm blessed to have not had an infection. My heart goes out to all the nailbiters.

[BMTroubleU]

It can definitely be bad for your teeth.
I've been nail-biting for decades and I've got a chunk on my lower front tooth missing from doing it.
Thanks for the video. It's given me the push I need to try stopping.

[Vixin]

Alright, thank you for giving enough reasons to stop me from nail biting