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Cutting the cuticles using a cuticle nipper on your nails can expose you to a number of potential dangers, the most common of which are bacterial infections. These infections can cause diseases as mild as irritation to as serious as paronychia. The cuticle serves as a vital protective barrier that, when functioning properly, inhibits potentially damaging microorganisms from entering the nail bed. In manicure salons, using a cuticle nipper is a common practice; however, most manicurists take special care not to cut too deeply and to leave sufficient cuticle skin in place after the trimming process. Biting the cuticles is a pretty widespread practice that is typically ascribed to stress. This habit frequently results in open sores around the nail bed, which further increases the likelihood of a dangerous infection.