i myself had a horrid nail-biting habit until about two years ago.... when i got braces.
my orthodontist told me that my excessive nail-biting was causing my teeth to grow at an awkward position, and she gave me a bottle of clear nail polish that i was to wear at all times.
i soon discovered that the nail polish tasted HORRIBLE when you put your mouth to it.... and that pretty much solved everything, since i didnt want a bad taste in my mouth every single day just because i wanted to get a part of my finger in my stomach....
i think they sell that kind of nail polish at every drug store (CVS, Rite-aid.... etc) and you can ask them for it if you can't find it, cuz believe me, they WILL have it.
if that doesn't work, another way that one of my friends (an excessive nail-biter also) solved this issue was to keep a fabric-covered hair elastic on her wrist, and whenever she involuntarily brought her nails to her teeth, she would sinap the elastic so that the slight physical pain would bring her back to reality and stop her from taking another bite.
if you don't want to go that way, you could do it all in your head..... buy yourself a reward if you get through a month without biting your nails, another month, another reward... but that IS a little immature, and it's sorta the way a mother would train a little child, so i wouldn't suggest that.
you could also get your nails professionaly-painted, so prettily thaty your friend would NEVER wanna bite her nails again...
other suggestions may be to:
wear gloves, but that seems a bit weird, plus, inconvenient
chew a lot of gum so you don't feel the urge to bite your nails when nervous
hope this helps (for your friend) and that she gets rid of that habit!
once you stop biting your nails, you look back and think "why did I EVER do that?"
good luck!
2006-11-25 12:35:03
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Nail biting is a nervous habit. When you feel the urge to bite your nails, try to pay attention to the situation at hand, then change the situation if you can. A good doctor rearly treats a symptom, he looks for the cause. You have already taken the 1st step towards solving the problem, recognition. Step2 is asking for help. Step 3, listen to what everyone has to say, and follow what best fits you. You can try chewing gum.Every time you feel the urge to chew, stick gum in your mouth. Pick a flavor you like and only chew that brand. That's how I quit smoking. Your favorite beverage threw a straw. Eat crunchy things, that will copy the crunchy sound of your nails. If it's cold out, you can wear gloves. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. If you want it bad enough, you can change anything. (except other people)
2016-05-23 02:42:29
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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It is so frustrating to feel like you have a "habit to kick." If your friend could kick it, it wouldn't be a habit! People develop many kinds of nervous habits; nail biting is one of the most common. Others are hair twisting, foot tapping, and pen chewing (a personal favorite of mine when I was younger). A good friend of mine always had to turn around in a complete circle before entering a doorway; she is now a mother and has a career.
Whatever the habit, the purpose is to release tension and to feel calm. Many people grow out of nervous habits as they find other ways to cope with stress and tension. There's no reason to worry. But is your friend feeling particularly stressed right now? Maybe your friend feels there is something wrong with her, but perhaps there is just something difficult in her life that she is struggling with — not a problem with her, but a problem that she has to deal with. Pressures with grades, or applying to college, or maybe stressful stuff at home??? If there is something on her mind, she could always talk to a counselor about it. Anxiety is one of the most common problems for (young) people, and it is one of the most responsive to counseling. That means it's easy to change.
2006-11-25 12:40:42
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answer #3
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answered by Bella 3
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They have nail polish that tastes gross...but it can be bitten off and people become accustomed to the taste. Another idea is to put a rubber band around her wrists, and then have her or someone else snap it when she does it. Eventually the biting will be associated with the biting and she will stop. The way I stopped was getting acrylic nails, which you can't really bite...and so after a while, I just stopped having the urge.
2006-11-25 12:29:27
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answer #4
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answered by az270890 2
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No harm to try this :
Just look at her nails while she is chewing them and move your eyes as movement and Shaw that you are concentrating on here nails.
If she asked, tell her in a nice way that you feel petty, because chewing nails not healthy and will not keep her hands look neat.
If she did not ask then offer her a gum and tell here that you was not listing to what she said as you are worried about her nails.
2006-11-25 12:47:37
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answer #5
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answered by mangaya2 2
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First does sh want to quit. Sometimes it is just a nervous habit. If she does want to quit, there are some nasty tasting nail polishes and conditioners out on the market. I think I have heard of red pepper or something hot like that rubbed into the nail teaches you not to bite.
2006-11-25 12:29:28
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answer #6
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answered by e_piphany214 4
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Give them something else to put in their mouth.Just kidding. Its a nervous habit, so they need that comfort of chewing something and depending on some kind of comfort when in a nervous situation.,They need to be able to realize that they want to stop seriously. I bit my nails for 30 years, then decided one day not to anymore because I was jealous of a friends long nails. You need a strong influence to change ones self. Its all up to the person that's doing it..
2006-11-25 12:36:50
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answer #7
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answered by wildcat 2
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They make a product called nail bitter. You brush it on like nail polish but it tastes extremely bitter when you put your nails in your mouth. They also use it for kids who excessively suck their thumb, but is is safe and practical and it is a small enough container you can take it with you wherever you go. good luck!
2006-11-25 12:32:29
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answer #8
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answered by giamc 1
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Read up on low blood sugar (www.hufa.org has basic info). Sometimes self hurting (if she gets it to the quick or bites the cuticles) is one symptom of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia - metabolic syndrome) a prediabetic condition. You may not be able to help her quit, but if she is hypoglycemic - and learns about what that condition means - and how to control it, she may quit on her own.
2006-11-25 12:30:45
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answer #9
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answered by Pegasus90 6
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Buy her some liquid that you paint on the nails, it gives a nasty taste when in contact with the mouth.
2006-11-25 12:29:13
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answer #10
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answered by Emma B 3
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