Biting your nails can increase your risk of getting Coronavirus: experts warn
It is a habit - often a vice - that unfortunately many people have, perhaps without almost realizing it. We are talking about nail biting, a practice far from hygienic and friendly to our health. Nervousness, anxiety, stress or simple need to let off steam: the causes that provoke a person to "attack" his nails can be many, but what is certain is that it is not good. Now more than ever.
The reason? Every type of dirt or bacterium lurks under nails. It goes without saying, therefore, that when the whole world is hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, for which precise and strict hygiene and protection standards must be respected, such a practice is extremely harmful. Experts warned all the nail biters to be on their guard.
via Metro
Purvi Parikh, allergist and infectious disease expert, has launched a public appeal to all people who have the habit of nail biting, to avoid this practice altogether. We know that to avoid contagion and risks of Covid-19 infection, it is good to wash your hands often and not to touch your mouth, nose and eyes if they are not clean. In light of this, it is not difficult to understand how dangerous nail biting is.
According to Parikh_ bacteria that come into contact with the mouth are one of the easiest and fastest ways to transmit Coronavirus, as well as many other potential infections. To put a stop to this harmful habit, both she and several other doctors around the world have suggested taking some practical measures.
For example, if we are forced to go out, we should wear gloves. Moreover, this precaution is also one of those to be adopted for the Coronavirus emergency. At home and in all other situations where we have the urge to eat our nails, however, it can be useful to use chewing gum. In this way, our mouth will be busy chewing on other things, not the nails.
In the same way, it is not bad to get distracted with some object with which you can play around a bit, such as elastic bands or manual toys to keep your fingers "engaged". For women, it can be useful to keep nail polish on the nails; keep them well cared for and therefore difficult to bite.
In short: the measures we take to avoid contracting and spreading the infection in a delicate moment like the one we are experiencing first of all start with ourselves. Abandoning some bad habits can only do us good!
