How to stop biting my nails!!!!!!!! PLESED! Its a HUGE problem?

Question

Biting nails is one of my biggest problems, my toes, I always clip them so short, and my fingernails no matter what treatments or nail stuff i'm using I cant stop biting my nails! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

Answer 1

Nail Biting
Ta-dum. Yes, it often begins with boredom. Or impatience. Or fidgeting. Then a nibble. And the next thing you know, your fingernails look like the Mad Nail Nibbler went on a binge.

If you are among the millions who regularly bite their nails, you know the Mad Nail Nibbler all too well. And you've probably said to yourself (how many times?) "I wish I'd stop biting my nails!"

Anyone can be a nail biter--and it often begins in childhood. Forty to 50 percent of all children regularly pick and chew their nails and cuticles, though many of them manage to kick the habit by the time they get to be adults. But nail biting can also get started in adulthood--sometimes out of the blue.

"While nail biting in some people may be a nervous reaction to stress, those who engage in it generally are not nervous individuals," according to R. Gregory Nunn, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and president of R. G. Nunn and Associates, a private clinic in San Diego. "Nail biting is a learned behavior that usually results from factors that have nothing to do with stress. Ironically, one of the most common causes is the physical condition of the nails."

"If the nails become irregular or damaged, it promotes attempts to try to smooth them, and biting is one such means," says Nathan H. Azrin, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychology at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "But biting just worsens the condition of the nails and encourages further biting."

How, then, do you resist this urge to indulge in a five-finger feeding frenzy? Just sink your teeth into these proven tips.

First, pretend to bite your nails. That's right. And do it in slow motion in front of a mirror, so you can actually see all the movements that are involved.

"Most nail biters begin by running their thumb along the nails' edges, feeling for irregularities, before bringing the hand to the mouth," explains Dr. Azrin. "We want them to identify the initial parts of the movement. It's much easier to interrupt it at the initial stage than to wait until the finger is nearly in the mouth." Other signals: rubbing your face or cupping your hands just before you bite.

Keep a daily record. Build up your awareness by noting when nail biting occurs--that is, how often, when, where and with whom. Your goal is to identify all the situations in which you are more likely to engage in the habit, then consciously remind yourself not to bite your nails in those situations as you enter them.

Grip, grab and clench. You can't bite your nails if your hands are involved in other activities. So if you realize you're getting the urge to bite, immediately do something else with your hands. If you're sitting on a sofa, for instance, grab the armrest. If you're reading, hold the book firmly. And if you're in a meeting, gently grab your knee. Just hold on for a couple of minutes and the urge will pass.

File your nails daily. "Keep your nails well trimmed and short, especially for the first few weeks," says Trisha Webster, a hand model with the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency in New York City. "Use an emery board instead of a metal file or scissors--it is gentler and won't weaken your nails."

She recommends filing your nails into a rounded or oval shape. "If you file your nails straight across," she warns, "they will have two sharp points that are tempting to bite."

Baby them. "Soak or massage your nails with baby oil, olive oil, vitamin E oil or a gentle dish detergent at least twice a day to replenish lost moisture, stimulate growth and prevent cracking and chipping," says New York City skin care specialist Lia Schorr, author of Lia Schorr's Seasonal Skin Care. "Also, use a moisturizing hand lotion several times a day to keep the skin around the nails healthy and attractive."

Make your nails less tasty. Schorr and Webster both suggest coating your fingers with hot pepper or lemon juice: Any nontoxic, bitter substance will make you think twice about putting your fingers near your mouth. But make sure you also keep your hands away from your eyes.

Go undercover. When you're at home, suggests Schorr, try wearing some light cotton gloves. They're surefire protection against nail biting.

Dress up your digits. Once the appearance of your nails has improved, don't hide them--show them off! Dr. Azrin and Dr. Nunn both suggest wearing rings and jewelry and putting your hands on top of a desk or table rather than hiding them underneath. After you've given up nail biting, you should begin to feel comfortable extending the fingers rather than cupping them. If you draw attention to your fingers and receive compliments, that's a wonderful incentive to keep up the good work

Answer 2

I ahve the same problem, I've been a biter since I was a child now I'm 37. I always hide my nails from people when I go out because I am so embarresed of them. I had a parent teacher interview and I didnt want the teacher to see my bitten off nails so I went and got some Gel Nails put on for 30$, they look great and there is no way I can bite them. You have to get a fill every 4 weeks , and your nails will start to grow underneath.
Maybe instead of bitting use a nail file instead, or try keeping your hads busy when you get the urge , try knitting maybe, who am I to give advise I'm in the same boat as you.
P.S Naul biters are very SMART people.

Answer 3

Start scratching your butt more. I'm sorry, I'll be more serious!
It's only a habit, so you need to trade it for a new one. Try keeping an emery board (nail file) near you at all times. When you get the urge to bite, file instead. If that fails, then buy some pungent hand lotion and keep your hands moisturized all day. You can break a habit in a weeks time, but the urges will still be with you for a few months. You can beat this! Just have a little will power for one week, and you'll be OK. If not then ask your doctor about stress meds.

Answer 4

I had this problem for a long time. Honestly, I stop biting mine when I'm dating someone...I'm not sure why. But prior to that, I used a nailpolish designed to taste badly that you can find at most drug stores. Also, carry a nail file around with you so that if you chip one, you don't bite it off and end up biting all of your nails. Thirdly, keep them looking nice. Even at a short length, just paint clear nailpolish over them becuase then you will be less likely to chew them when they're looking nice. Lastly, when your home just watching TV or something, wear lightweight gloves so when you go to chew by habit, you won't be able to. Hope this helps...good luck!

Answer 5

Willpower isn't helpful, because it isn't foolproof, so don't depend upon it. Instead, look at why you bite. It's a nervous habit, find out what's got you nervous and work on that in healthier ways.

In the meantime, here are some websites that may help. The first offers several ideas, and the second is where you can find some nasty tasting polish specifically for nail biting.

helpful hints to stop biting nails:
http://www.nail-care-tips.com/how-to-stop-biting-nails-adults.php

Orly No Bite nail polish:
http://www.orlybeauty.com/salon_solutions.php?id=17

Good luck!

Answer 6

I used to bite my nails until about 2 months ago. I would always have my fingers in my mouth and the nails were so small. Then I started to take care of them. I used cuticle remover, nail strengthener, buffed them and put clear nail polish on. As they started to grow and look nicer, I bit them less because they looked alot better and I liked them more. It's a habit and it can be broken. Take a look at this site : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_biting
Maybe it will help.

Answer 7

Here's some suggestions
Use that nail stuff that tastes nasty (I used to just suck it off)
Clip them
but your self something after not biting them for a whole week
chew gum
If you find your finger in your mouth take it out and hit it into something.
paint them with layers and layers of polish so they are really tough so when you try to bite them you fail.
chew on something else

Answer 8

I bit my nails until they bled for 30 years and then i figured out a way to stop. Start with one nail and let it grow....bite all the rest but not that one and keep it filed neatly. When that one has grown out let another one grow too...and so on and so on. Soon you will have nice nails....buy lots of nail polish and keep a nail file handy so you arent tempted to nibble. good luck..this really worked for me.

Answer 9

nail bitting is a bad habbit i have too.but,i have a good solution.come up with a reward system like if you dont bite your nails for one week then you get a trip to the spa or a minni shoping spree.with your mind thinking you will get a reward you will try your best not to bite them.if it works after after a while you can try not bitting them for a month and think of bigger rewards.after a while the habbit will be gone.

Answer 10

I don't know what to say...Thats a pretty big list you have there... Try biting on pencils... or tapping your finger nail on a surface... I can't be of any help, but I think you should find a better habit!

Answer 11

Well .... try putting some of the stuff on your fingers that parents use to put on their kids thumb to get them to stop sucking it the kind that taste the worse and is hard to loose the taste is in a brown bottle I dont remeber the name..... And tell someone you are trying to stop and tell them to bring it to your attention when you are doing like tell you to stop cause a lot of times when something is a habit you dont really realize what you are doing.... they say if you can stop a habit for 10 days you wont do it anymore... good luck.....