Abstract
Although onychophagia is a medical condition and is associated with poorer health, there are no guidelines for assessment or treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of nail biting from doctors' points of view, to estimate the prevalence of onychophagia among physicians, and to review the literature on and treatment methods for onychophagia. Twenty-four percent of doctors reported nail-biting periods during their lifetimes, and 2% of them remained active nail biters. A total of 64.4% of doctors see nail biting in their practices, and 60.6% never or only on request ask patients about nail biting and examine their nails. Family doctors and pediatricians ask their patients about nail biting most often. Attitudes and opinions on the treatment of nail biting are undefined and vary. Doctors reported usually treating nail-biting patients by referring them to another specialist or offering special nail polish. There is a need to improve physicians' knowledge of nail-biting treatment methods, but a lack of studies evaluating the clinical aspects of onychophagia and its relation to mental health and emotion dysregulation. Further research is needed. Clinical attitudes toward nail biting could be more precise in training and medical practice.
Highlights
Onychophagia begins in childhood[1] and over time most nail biters tend to stop biting their nails.[2]
A quarter of nail biters seek treatment, and treatment has a significant effect in reducing symptoms of onychophagia.[5]
In PubMed, we found 13 studies related to the treatment of onychophagia
Summary
Onychophagia begins in childhood[1] and over time most nail biters tend to stop biting their nails.[2]. 26.4% of parents do not seek treatment for onychophagia in children, and 70.2% think that punishment is an effective way to break a habit.[11]
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