Beware! Habit of Nail-Biting Can Stop Your Heart, Cause Infective Endocarditis — Here’s How

While nail biting is a recurrent habit with many people, popularly perceived as a sign of nervousness, a US-based doctor has warned it can even be fatal. According to Dr Christabel Akinola, biting your nails can cause infective endocarditis - a heart infection which happens due to the introduction of bacteria from the mouth through damaged skin around the nails. Explaining the case of a young girl, Dr Akinola, on her Instagram account, said the habit is especially a concern for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, as any bacteria entering the bloodstream can infect the heart valves. The infection can lead to serious complications like septic emboli that travel to other parts of the body, potentially causing stroke, and requires immediate

medical attention.

What is infective endocarditis?

Dr Akinola explained that the girl used to bite her nails often, and one day she felt a deep pain in her chest. “She couldn’t catch her breath. By evening, the fever came along with weakness and bloody when she coughed. Immediately, she had to go to the hospital,” Dr Akinola wrote in the post. The woman suffered from multiple lung infections, which happened when parts of her lung tissue died due to a lack of blood supply. “Repeatedly biting your nails triggers infective endocarditis. During the process, skin trauma occurs, and the bacteria commonly found in the mouth gain entry to the bloodstream. These easily stick to the heart valve,” she added. Dr Akinola said the infection then causes inflammation and valve destruction, forming vegetations that break off and cause emboli in the lungs, leading to lung infections.

What are the signs and symptoms of endocarditis?

Symptoms of infective endocarditis include:

• Severe chest pain
• Heart murmur
• Fast heart rate
• Fatigue and tiredness
• High ever
• Chills and night sweats
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Muscle and joint aches
• Breathlessness
• Skin rashes
• Swelling in your abdomen or legs
• Blood in your pee
• Infective endocarditis can be:

Acute

It begins suddenly with a high fever and fast heart rate. It can become life-threatening within days.

Subacute

It develops gradually over weeks or several months.

What is the treatment for infective endocarditis?

According to doctors, endocarditis can be life-limiting, and so, you need to get quick treatment to prevent damage to your heart valves and more serious complications. Doctors will provide antibiotics for several weeks — usually up to six — to fully treat the infection. Your provider may adjust the antibiotics once they know which bacteria are at play. Your provider will check your symptoms throughout your therapy to see if it’s effective. They’ll also repeat your blood cultures. If endocarditis damages your heart valve and any other part of your heart, you may need surgery.