Although biting nails is generally known to be an unhealthy habit, most people don’t make a big deal out of it. But sometimes things that may seem insignificant may land people in horrifying situations.

57-year-old Ricky Kennedy had to fight for his life after biting his nails left him with sepsis. He had to go through a terrifying ordeal as he spent months in a hospital with very low chances of survival.

Sepsis develops when an infection triggers a violent immune response that makes the body attack its own organs. Kennedy noticed a blister on his thumb after he bit his nail down too far.

He was initially given antibiotics to clear the infection but he was rushed to the hospital when it spread to his arms and chest. Kennedy was diagnosed with sepsis and was told that it was a matter of life and death.

The grandfather now faces surgery on the collarbone to replace eroded bones as he still struggles with pain every day.