Why do I rip my toenails?

Onychotillomania is an unusual type of BFRBD characterized by a chronic and recurrent self-mutilating behavior directed to the nail apparatus. It is particularly defined by an irresistible urge or impulse in patients to either pick or pull at their own fingernails and/or toenails.
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Why do I like ripping my toenails?

Body-focused repetitive behaviors like nail biting and picking may also be symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When you engage in these behaviors, you gain pleasure or relief, which then continues the cycle. Research also shows that nail tics (repetitive movements) may relieve tension.
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Why do my toenails rip so easily?

Just like skin, nails can dry out, and when they do they become more brittle and vulnerable to tearing and breaking. Ironically, one of the leading causes of dry nails is exposure to too much moisture—saying keeping them stuck in sweaty shoes all day.
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What deficiency causes brittle toenails?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiency causes of cracked nails. The body also requires proteins and B vitamins to effectively build strong, healthy nails.
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Why do my big toe nails keep breaking?

Cracked toenails can be the result of a number of factors. Frequent exposure to water and dry conditions can result in cracked nails. Harsh beauty products, such as nail polish remover and some soaps, can also put your nails through the ringer, leading to your nails cracking.
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What To Do if Your Toenail Falls Off



Why do I pick my toenails until they bleed?

The condition is called dermatillomania, an impulse-control disorder categorized as a “body-focused repetitive behavior,” in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders released by the American Psychiatric Association.
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Why can I peel my toenails off?

Iron Deficiency: Dry, peeling nails can result from a vitamin deficiency, specifically an iron deficiency. A lack of iron makes it difficult for red blood cells to produce hemoglobin, which works to transport oxygen around the body.
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Is onychotillomania a mental illness?

According to ICD-10 onychotillomania may be classified among the other impulse control disorders not explained by any other mental disorder, which leads to self-destruction of nails.
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Why can't I stop ripping my nails?

Onychotillomania is a compulsive behavior in which a person picks constantly at the nails or tries to tear them off. It is not the same as onychophagia, where the nails are bitten or chewed, or dermatillomania, where skin is bitten or scratched.
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How can I stop ripping my nails off?

Try these tips:
  1. Cut them short. If there's not enough nail to grab with your teeth, it won't feel as satisfying when you give biting a try.
  2. Coat them with a bad taste. ...
  3. Splurge on manicures. ...
  4. Wear gloves. ...
  5. Find your triggers. ...
  6. Keep your hands or mouth busy.
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How do I know if I have onychotillomania?

Onychotillomania is characterized by the compulsive or irresistible urge in patients to pick at, pull off, or harmfully bite or chew their nails, not to be confused with onychophagia which is self-induced damage to nails caused by nail biting.
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What is the white crusty stuff under my toenails?

This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
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How does vaseline help your nails grow overnight?

The use of Vaseline for nail growth is actually unfounded, and even for those who struggle to grow their nails, using Vaseline is not a solution. What petroleum jelly does to your fingernails and cuticles is to lock in moisture (via Fabbon) and to make them stronger and less likely to break, per My Glamm.
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How long does it take for a toenail to grow back?

If completely removed, fingernails may take 6 months to grow back. Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back. Injured nails may look different when they grow back.
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What is Onuxophobia?

Onuxophobia is fear of getting fingernails or toenails being removed or mangled.
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Is skin picking related to ADHD?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list ADHD as “one of the most common” neurodevelopmental conditions among children. People with ADHD may develop skin picking disorder in response to their hyperactivity or low impulse control.
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What is dermatillomania?

Also called dermatillomania or excoriation disorder, skin picking disorder is where you cannot stop picking at your skin. There are things you can try to help yourself, but some people may need professional treatment.
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What does toothpaste do to your nails?

Whitening toothpaste, when applied, can lighten and brighten your nails in just a few short minutes. The same clinically proven natural whitening ingredients in products such as Tom's of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste can double as a treatment for surface stains on nails.
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Why are my nails splitting and peeling?

The most common reason for cracked nails is something that happens to everyone: getting older. As you age, your nails become thinner and more likely to crack. This is most common in women over 60 but can affect men, too. If your cracked nails are related to aging, you might also see peeling and ridges.
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Is Vaseline good for toenails?

In fact, many already apply Vaseline to their cuticles as a soothing, healing medicine when dry or cracked. Turns out, it's also a great help when painting your own nails if applied on your cuticles or any skin surrounding your nail.
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Why do my toenails stink when I cut them?

Getting a fungal infection on your toenails can cause the nails to turn yellow and brittle, and the bugs that cause the infection often emit a foul odor as they feed on your body. The same microorganisms that cause athlete's foot also are the cause of fungal toenail infection.
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Why do toenails get really thick?

Toenails can thicken as a result of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. Mostly, this happens to people involved in sport or exercise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers. It can also affect people who wear ill-fitting shoes. Often, thick nails due to injury are mistaken for fungal infections.
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How can I make my toenails healthy again?

10 Tips For Growing Healthy Toenails
  1. Daily Cleansing. ...
  2. Moisturize. ...
  3. Frequent Trimming. ...
  4. Filing. ...
  5. Toenail Friendly Diet. ...
  6. Wearing Proper Shoes and Socks. ...
  7. Occasional Massage. ...
  8. Treat Yourself To Foot Soaks.
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Can onychotillomania be cured?

There is no evidence-based treatment for the condition, and it can be highly resistant to both dermatological and psychological interventions.
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What is the cause of having claw nails or Onychogryphosis?

Foot trauma

Repeatedly hurting your feet — or minor foot trauma — can damage the toes and nail plates, eventually leading to onychogryphosis. For example, wearing shoes that are too small for you every day can cause foot trauma. Onychogryphosis can also develop if you have a condition like hammer toe.
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