It’s a seemingly harmless act, something many of us do without a second thought while deep in concentration or perhaps when we’re feeling a tad anxious. But for Gabi Amoils, a 23-year-old from Sydney, this absent-minded habit quickly escalated into a medical emergency that saw her finger ‘triple in size’.
Gabi’s ordeal began on what she describes as a slightly dull date. To pass the time, she began picking at the skin beside her fingernail, a habit she’d indulged in for years. Little did she know, this time her habitual picking would have severe consequences. Within a week, her finger had swollen to an alarming size, and the pain had become, in her words, ‘quite debilitating’.
Describing the swelling, Gabi said that her finger felt like she was carrying a ‘big fat rotten tomato’ on her hand. The visual was no less disturbing, with the finger resembling ‘a pimple because it had this whitehead and redness around it.’
After an initial round of antibiotics prescribed by her GP failed to alleviate the problem, Gabi’s condition necessitated a visit to the emergency room. There, doctors drained ‘two millilitres worth of pus’ from her inflamed finger. The diagnosis was paronychia, an infection that occurs when bacteria infiltrate the broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. While it typically heals within 5 to 10 days, Gabi’s experience is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn dire.
Paronychia is not to be taken lightly. If left untreated, it can lead to long-term damage to the nail and, in severe cases, even bone infection. Gabi’s story is not an isolated incident. In the United States, one woman narrowly avoided amputation due to a severe case of paronychia caused by nail-biting. Closer to home, a woman from the NSW Central Coast required surgery for the infection after a visit to a nail salon in 2020.
The aftermath of Gabi’s infection involved not only treatment but also the removal of excess skin that had formed as her finger enlarged. Her message to others is simple and urgent: ‘Just don’t do it!’ She implores everyone to avoid nail picking and to seek medical attention promptly if they do engage in the habit and notice any signs of infection.
So, what can you do to prevent such a painful and potentially dangerous situation? First and foremost, it’s essential to be aware of the risks associated with nail picking and biting. These habits can create tiny openings in the skin, allowing bacteria and fungi to enter and cause infection.
Gabi’s experience is a cautionary tale for all of us. It’s a reminder that even the smallest habits can have significant consequences and that our health should never be taken for granted. So, heed her advice: steer clear of nail picking, and if you slip up, seek medical help without delay. Your fingers will thank you.
Have you ever had a similar experience with nail picking or biting? How do you take care of your nails to prevent infections? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share your stories or tips in the comments below!
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