What can excessive onychophagy lead to regarding nails?

Excessive onychophagy, or nail biting, can lead to infection risks primarily because it often creates openings in the skin around the nail bed, making it easier for bacteria and fungi to enter. This behavior not only damages the nail itself but also the surrounding skin, leading to potential infections. When the skin barrier is compromised, it becomes more susceptible to pathogens that can cause various infections, resulting in redness, swelling, and pain.

The other responses do not accurately reflect the consequences of onychophagy. Dried cuticles can result from poor nail care but are not a direct consequence of nail biting itself. On the contrary, onychophagy usually results in decreased nail length rather than increased nail length, as the act of biting prevents nails from growing normally. Rapid growth of nails is also not associated with this behavior, as the damage from biting can hinder healthy growth. Thus, infection risks stand out as the primary concern linked to excessive onychophagy.