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Just about everyone has had at least one nail-biting moment in his or her life.  There are so many theories as to why people bite their nails. Most people say they bite their nails from being stressed, bored, or excited. Some don’t even realize that their doing it.  Most might have found themselves biting their nails sitting through a boring class, watching television, or even reading a book.

A new study showed nail-biters are perfectionists, meaning that they are unable to relax and to perform tasks at a ‘normal’ pace.

Nail-biters may spend hours examining their nails or fingers trying to fix them, in hopes of achieving an improved appearance. Nail-biting always ends up with the nails looking much worse in spite of their efforts.

Senior Calvin Amato said sits in class and bites his nails constantly. He said, “It’s just a nervous habit and I consider myself a walking anxiety attack because of it.”

But sophomore Jasmine McCoy bites her nails and admitted to being a perfectionist. Classmate Alanna Leidig said she generally only bites her nails when she is nervous.

Studies show that nail biting occurs most often during puberty. Boys bite their nails more often than girls after the age of 10. About half the children between ages 10 and 18 have bitten their nails at one time or another. Young adults, ages 18-22 years old, bite their nails. Most people stop biting their nails at age 30. Only a small number of adults bite their nails.

Juniors Brennan McKendree and Nick Mallory both bite their nails all the time. They do it because it became a habit over time. Brennan also added, “It ruined my nails.”