What does onychophagy refer to?

Onychophagy refers specifically to the habit of biting one's nails. This behavior can lead to various issues, including physical damage to the nails and the surrounding skin, as well as an increased risk of infection. Nail biting is often associated with stress, anxiety, or boredom, and the term itself is derived from the Greek words "onycho," meaning nail, and "phagy," meaning to eat.

Understanding this condition is important for manicurists, as it influences how they approach nail care for clients who may exhibit this habit. The other conditions described in the choices relate to different nail abnormalities, such as splits, curves, and pits, but they do not involve the act of biting the nails.