An allergy and infectious disease expert Purvi Parikh strongly warned the public, especially those with bad habit of “nail biting,” that doing so can increase the risk of acquiring the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parikh also strongly encouraged people to quit the said practice. However, if it still couldn’t could not be avoided, she suggested a few things that could help prevent them from chewing their bacteria-filled nails.

In an online report, Parikh explained that nails can collect all types of bacteria, dirt, debris, and, worse, viruses. When nail-biters do not habitually wash their hands, all those germs can easily be transferred to their mouths, she said.

“Every time you touch your face — especially your mouth, nose, and eyes — you’re transferring all of those germs. And you can get sick,” she told The Cut.

Parikh added that the bacteria transmitting to your mouth is the “easiest” and “fastest” way to acquire different infections and the dreaded disease.

With coronavirus spreading globally and claiming thousands of lives, there is even more reason for nail-biters to kick the habit for good. Parikh, however, understands that going “cold turkey” on a bad habit is not easy or most.