How Nail-Biting Can Cause Severe Medical Consequences: Real Stories of Near Amputations and Death

Infected fingertip.Photo byLauren Nichols/TikTok.

Nail biting is often seen as a harmless habit, a nervous quirk we pick up in moments of stress or boredom. But what many don’t realize is that this seemingly benign action can lead to dire consequences, and in some cases, even death. The tragic story of a 40-year-old man who lost his life to sepsis after years of nail biting serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath our fingertips.

A Harmless Habit?

Nail biting, medically known as onychophagia, is one of the most common habits. About 20% of adults regularly bite their nails. It’s an action driven by boredom, anxiety, or even perfectionism, offering momentary relief from stress or nervous energy. But beyond the short-term comfort, the habit can open the door to severe health risks.

One of the biggest dangers is infection. Biting your nails creates tiny cuts and breaks in the skin around your nails. This makes it easier for bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae (which includes dangerous strains like E. coli and Salmonella), to enter your body. Once inside, these bacteria can cause infections that range from mild skin irritations to deadly conditions like sepsis.

The Rise of Paronychia

One of the most common infections caused by nail-biting is paronychia, an infection of the skin around the nails.

Paronychia is caused when bacteria or fungi enter through broken skin, leading to redness, swelling, pain, and, in severe cases, abscesses filled with pus. Left untreated, this infection can spread deeper into the tissue, sometimes leading to the need for amputation or worse.

In 2020, Lauren Nichols, an 18-year-old college student from Texas, nearly had to have her fingertip amputated due to paronychia.

What started as a small green spot on her nail—caused by her nail-biting habit—quickly escalated into a severe infection that required surgery. Lauren was lucky; a timely intervention saved her from losing her finger.

A Brush With Death: Sepsis

For some, the consequences of nail biting go far beyond a swollen finger. In 2018, Luke Hanneman, a 28-year-old father from the UK, contracted sepsis—a life-threatening infection—after biting the skin around his nails.

Sepsis occurs when the body's response to an infection spirals out of control, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and, if left untreated, death.

In Luke’s case, the infection spread rapidly, and by the time he sought medical attention, red lines—an indication of sepsis—were spreading across his body.

Doctors told him he had just 24 hours to live if he didn’t get treatment. Fortunately, Luke survived after spending four days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics and having his infected finger drained.

A Fatal Outcome

Not everyone is as lucky as Luke. In 2014, John Gardner, a 40-year-old soccer referee, lost his life after a lifetime of nail-biting led to an infection that developed into sepsis. John’s habit of biting his nails until they bled made him particularly vulnerable.

Although he was treated with antibiotics and underwent surgery to remove the infected tissue, he tragically suffered a heart attack while still in the hospital and passed away.

John’s story underscores the hidden dangers of nail biting. For some, it’s more than just an annoying habit—it’s a potential gateway to life-threatening infections.

How to Stop Nail Biting

Given the risks associated with nail-biting, it’s essential to break the habit before it leads to serious health issues.

Experts recommend several strategies:

1. Identify triggers: Pay attention to when and why you bite your nails. Are you bored? Stressed? Recognizing these triggers can help you avoid situations that lead to nail biting.
2. Substitutes: Find healthier alternatives to keep your hands busy, like a fidget spinner, stress ball, or chewing gum.
3. Bitter nail polish: Special nail polishes with a bitter taste can help deter you from biting your nails.
4. Regular manicures: Keeping your nails neat and well-groomed can make you less likely to bite them.

Conclusion

Nail biting may seem like a minor, bad habit, but the real-life stories of those who suffered infections, sepsis, and even death reveal just how dangerous it can be. Plus, the habit is simply unappealing and gives a bad impression. If you or someone you know bites their nails, it’s time to take steps to stop—and seek medical help at the first sign of infection.