A 21-year-old woman who has bitten her nails since childhood has shared how the habit led to a frightening medical emergency that almost cost her a finger.
Gabby Swierzewski, a restaurant manager from the United States, said a routine hangnail quickly turned into a painful infection that required emergency surgery and left doctors concerned about possible permanent damage.
What initially seemed like a minor irritation quickly escalated into a serious health scare, highlighting how seemingly harmless habits can sometimes have dangerous consequences. Her story has since drawn attention online, particularly among people who admit they struggle with chronic nail biting themselves.
For Swierzewski, the experience was a wake-up call. 'I've been biting my nails since I was eight, and I never thought it would lead to anything this serious', she said. 'I want others to understand that it's not just a bad habit—it can be dangerous.'
A Painful Hangnail That Quickly Turned Serious
Swierzewski says nail-biting had been part of her routine for most of her life. Over the years, it rarely caused more than sore fingertips or occasional hangnails—something she had come to see as normal. But on 6 February 2026, she noticed something unusual.
'This began on Feb. 6; it initially began as a hangnail, and it was extremely painful', Swierzewski told PEOPLE.
At first, she assumed the irritation would disappear on its own.
'Hang nails are a common occurrence for me, so of course, I thought it would go away', she said.
Within a day, however, her finger became severely swollen. Concerned, she contacted her primary doctor and visited the clinic on 10 February, believing it might simply be an ingrown nail. Doctors prescribed antibiotics and a medicated ointment to treat what appeared to be an infection.
@gabbyswierzewski_ nail biting did this #fyp #foryoupage #paronychia #er ♬ original sound - arisa 🤩
Infection Worsens Despite Treatment
Despite the medication, the swelling and pain continued to worsen.
Two days later, Swierzewski visited an urgent care clinic that specialises in ingrown nail treatments. Doctors attempted to drain what they suspected was an abscess and cut beneath the nail, but the procedure produced little more than blood.
'They went on to try and pop the abscess and cut under my nail—they could not get anything other than blood', she explained.
She was given a second round of antibiotics and sent home. By Valentine's Day, however, the situation had worsened significantly. After finishing a long shift at work, Swierzewski removed her bandage and noticed that her finger had turned a deep shade of purple and was throbbing intensely. Even then, she pushed through another work shift the following day.
Emergency Surgery After Unbearable Pain
By the morning of 16 February, the pain had become unbearable.
'I woke up crying and to the point of passing out', she recalled.
At 6:30 a.m., she drove herself to the emergency room. Doctors immediately treated her and cut into the finger to drain several cyst-like abscesses. Although the procedure relieved some pressure, the swelling remained severe, prompting doctors to refer her to a hand specialist.
The specialist delivered alarming news. Swierzewski recalled the doctor saying the infection was 'the worst case she's ever seen' in someone her age.
On 19 February, she underwent urgent irrigation and debridement surgery under general anaesthesia. The procedure required doctors to make a two-centimetre incision in her finger to remove infected tissue and thoroughly clean the wound.
@gabbyswierzewski_ never knew my life would go this downhill
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Fears She Could Lose Her Finger
Following surgery, Swierzewski faced several days of uncertainty. Doctors sent tissue samples to a laboratory and ordered blood tests to determine whether the infection had spread to the bone. There was also concern she might lose her fingernail—or even the finger itself if the infection progressed.
Fortunately, those fears eased during a follow-up appointment on 4 March. Doctors confirmed that further surgery or amputation would not be necessary. One doctor told her it was 'pretty impressive how big my finger was' during the worst stage of the infection.
Although relieved, the experience left a lasting impression. Swierzewski now hopes the ordeal will help her finally stop biting her nails—and encourage others to take the habit seriously.
@gabbyswierzewski_ my finger has a heartbeat #paronychia #fyp #foryou #nailbiting ♬ original sound - arisa 🤩
Why Chronic Nail Biting Develops—And How To Stop
Nail biting, medically known as onychophagia, is more than a harmless childhood habit—it is considered a body-focused repetitive behaviour that can persist into adulthood. According to dermatologists and psychologists, people often develop chronic nail biting as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, boredom, or even intense concentration. Over time, the behaviour becomes automatic, forming a habit loop where the brain associates nail chewing with temporary relief or comfort.
Experts warn that nail biting carries more than cosmetic consequences. Breaking the skin around nails introduces bacteria and fungi, increasing the risk of infections such as paronychia, a painful inflammation of the nail folds. Repeated trauma can also cause permanent nail deformities, chronic pain, and in severe cases, infections that spread to deeper tissues—exactly what Swierzewski experienced.
Dermatologists and psychologists recommend several strategies to help break the cycle:
- Awareness and tracking: Keep a journal or set reminders to notice when and why the urge to bite arises. Identifying triggers is often the first step to stopping.
- Nail care: Regularly trimming nails and keeping them moisturised reduces temptation. Applying a bitter-tasting nail polish can discourage chewing.
- Behavioural replacements: Substitute nail biting with alternative actions, such as chewing sugar-free gum, using stress balls, or fidgeting with a small object.
- Mindfulness and stress management: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help manage the anxiety or tension that often fuels the habit.
- Professional support: For severe or long-standing nail biting, consulting a dermatologist for nail health or a psychologist trained in habit reversal therapy can provide structured guidance and lasting results.
