If you’re reading this, you’re probably biting your nails. Here are five great reasons why you shouldn’t bite your nails, ever! If you’re like I was, you’ve probably never really understood why nail biting is such a bad thing, aside from just not looking very good. While that’s a major issue for some, there are plenty of less obvious ways nail biting negatively impacts your life.

1. It can cause an infection. This is possibly the worst problem associated with nail biting. When you bite your nails, especially dangling nails, you are allowing all the germs in your mouth to get under your skin, possibly even into your bloodstream. Suffice to say it’s bad.

Second, consider all the posted signs we see at work and in all public restrooms about “wash your hands before returning to work (or class)”. The most common way of spreading germs, bacteria and viruses is by physically touching contaminated objects and then touching your eyes or lips or putting your fingers in your mouth. Nail biting is an invitation to spread communicable diseases.

2. It can damage your teeth. Their front teeth, which are easier to bite your nails with, are designed for ripping and tearing, not sustained chewing. Because the keratin in your nails is one of the hardest substances in your body, sustained nail biting can cause serious damage to your teeth.

3. It can cause stomach problems. When you swallow your nails, in addition to being disgusting, you’re basically swallowing little razor blades. The fragments can tear the lining of the stomach and cause many serious problems, including internal bleeding.

4. It can cause high blood pressure. When you bite your nails, it is because you are stressed. Biting your nails doesn’t help, but the problems that come with it, particularly comments about your appearance or lack of control, can further increase your stress.

5. It looks bad. Let’s face it: this is what most people care about. Even if it’s killing you slowly, the appearance of being someone who bites their nails is the part that scares them. Few people take nail biting as seriously as someone who doesn’t. In general, adults consider nail biting to be a “childhood habit” that they should have outgrown in their preteen years. If you haven’t outgrown such an obvious childhood habit, other adults may begin to wonder what other childhood habits you can still hold on to.

You probably bite your nails, or love someone who does. These are 5 excellent and varied reasons why you should not bite your nails, ever! Quit the habit.