Is removing cuticles harmful?

Is removing cuticles harmful?

Cuticles are the white strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.
Also called the eponychium, cuticles are not a pointless part of the nail structure. They help shield new keratin cells from harm as they age and add length to your fingernails. The manner in which cuticles overlap your nail plate also helps seal the gap between your skin and nails.
Without this seal, your fingers would be more susceptible to infection by bacteria. Many people use specially designed cuticle cutters to trim their cuticles, during manicures. However, cutting or biting into the portion of the cuticle can cause paronychia, an infection around the base of the nail fold. Soaking in warm water and antibiotic creams often defeat these infections, but if they worsen, oral antibiotics may be necessary.