Dear Heloise: As with most parents, mine ingrained in me the need to brush my teeth regularly. In spite of doing this twice a day, I still ended up with cavities. My dentist always encouraged me to ...

Nail-biting is a common parenting issue. Learn why kids do it, gentle ways to help at home, and when to call a pro so you can support your child with confidence.

Many children have the habit of biting their nails. Maybe yours does too. What are the possible consequences? Why do they do it? And how can you get them to stop? Tension and stress are often the ...

Quitting nail biting can be as difficult as quitting smoking. According to the NIH, the habit (“onychophagia”) is a chronic condition that is repetitive and compulsive in nature. “Stress, anxiety, ...

Did you bite your nails today? While it might seem harmless, nail biting can actually increase your risk of infection. “Nail biting can cause small injuries around the nail, allowing bacteria, viruses ...

I’ve been biting my nails for as long as I can remember. It started when I was at the age when copying my parents (who also incessantly bite their nails) was my most important day-to-day task. It ...

When body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are discussed, the conditions that typically come to mind include trichotillomania (hair pulling) and excoriation disorder (skin picking). However, one ...