Terrifying simulation shows why you should never bite your fingernails

A demonstration of what happens to the end of your fingers when you bite your nail has detailed why you should never do so.

At some point in our lives we've all bitten our fingernails, haven't we? Be it just to rip the end of a stray nail off or as an alternative to getting out the clippers.

Do you have a habit of biting your nails? (Getty stock)

But for some people it's developed into a habit, and you might want to know that the seemingly innocent routine isn't as harmless as you'd think.

YouTuber Zack D.Films talks through it in a recent short video.

He said: "When you bite your nails, you create tiny tears in the skin around it, then the bacteria from your mouth can actually get into these tears, making the area around your nails red and tender.

"These small injuries can lead to painful infections and swelling, not to mention biting them makes your nails look jagged and uneven, so do yourself a favor and just use nail clippers."

Zack, through his terrifying simulation, is referring to paronychia - the name of the nail infection which commonly results from bacteria.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, 'bacteria gets into the skin through cuts in the cuticle and the nail fold' - which is the skin around the nail.

The medical center explains how 'most nail infections get better with antibiotics', and that 'paronychia doesn’t usually cause serious health problems' - although sometimes the infection can last a long time and even come back after treatment.

Taking to the comments, fans of the content creator commented on his social media platform.

"For those wondering," one person wrote.

Paronychia is the name for the infection you can get around your fingernails if you bite them (Getty stock)

"Nail biting, onychophagia affects up to 20-30% of the general population, making it a relatively common habit."

"I've been bitting my nails since I can remember and stopped recently after many many years," added another.

"It was an addiction and it took me almost 4 years of CONSTANT trying to overcome it. To anyone struggling with this addiction, you are a strong human being, goodluck."

A third typed: "I'm 22, I've been doing it for as long as my memory can travel back. I do with my fingernails, random skin at tip of fingers, callouses and lips; at all times my fingers have different visible layers of skin or are bleeding. I genuinely do not feel anxious or sad, I just LOVE doing so."