Does anyone have a way for someone who chews their fingers, not their nails, to the point of pain and bleeding

Question

Could this be an obsessive/compulsive behavior? I am 50 years old and can't stop,even when I am in pain and bleeding I continue to tear skin from my fingers, mostly my left thumb both pinkies and my left index and ring finger. I take prozac already and I don't seem to have a lot of stress in my life, but I just have to do this. I used to chew my nails but I quit about 15 years ago. I don't like to hold hands with my husband or rub his back because my hands are rougher than rough sandpaper, Help!!!

Answer 1

From the research I've done, this is considered a self-injury and obsessive compulsive behavior. I don't know if your family doc prescribed the prozac, but you need to talk to a psychiatrist. Since the prozac isn't working, you need to either try a higher dose or a different medication. There are countless medications out there, so I'm sure you'll find one that will help with a little patience. Remember, any change in medication can take up to thirty days to be fully effective.

On top of that, using a physical deterrent (clear bandaids, gloves, finger stalls) will help twofold; you'll have to chew through it to get to your fingers, and it will protect your fingers so they can heal.

I'm guessing you chew to get rid of the rough spots, but when they heal they get even rougher, so you chew off the rough spots, and so on....so here's an idea. Keep them covered at ALL TIMES for about a week, only changing the covering when it gets wet or comes off easily. (I'm thinking athletic tape would work best...the podiatrist used it to wrap my foot after an injury and it stayed on for almost a week, including showering, etc. If you're concerned about bringing attention to your problem, I guarantee your loved ones will be pleased that you're doing something about it *wink*) When you change the covering, check your wounds. If they are still healing, use an antibiotic ointment like neosporin and rewrap. If they are completely healed over and are getting rough again, soak them in water (take a long bath or do the dishes) until the skin becomes saturated and soft. Use a pumice stone to rub a few layers off the rough spots. Make sure you keep the stone and your hands wet. Don't get too crazy...only rub enough to make the rough spots turn more pink than yellow. If you see ANY blood or it hurts at ALL, STOP!!! You'll defeat the purpose. Rub in a small amount of A&D ointment (the smelly yellow kind-not the creamy) until it's completely absorbed into the skin. Wait until your hands are completely dry and rewrap. The smelly ointment will hopefully keep you from biting long enough to dry out. Repeat at least weekly, at most biweekly to allow fresh skin to make its way to the surface. By the time all the rough spots are worn off and fresh new skin has replaced it hopefully you'll have your medication squared away and the physical habit beaten. Unwrap your new hands and treat yourself to a manicure. Your hands will be soft and pretty again, and your mouth won't go near it.

Good Luck to you and Blessings

Answer 2

I'm 53, and I do the exact same thing. I take an anti-depressant for it, but it doesn't seem to help. My doc told me this: it's a bad habit now - put clear band-aids on your fingers - hopefully it will break the cycle. I'm trying to stop, too.

Answer 3

You sound as if there is a neurotic problem and some emotional instability,...self mutilation is the end result,..you need Jesus or some good psychiatric counseling. You ever see little old ladies with white gloves,..buy a pain,...have your hands manicured and soak by professional,..if you spend that kind of money you won't mess them up any more,..economics over comes neurosis (obsessive/compulsive behavior).

Answer 4

Yea, its probably just a nervous and extra anxiety that you have...I had a problem with picking at my eyebrows and eyelashes...and it was bad cause i couldnt stop! But i would suggest putting some nailpolish remover on your fingers or something that would taste really bad so you wouldnt want to put them in your mouth. And my best thing was to keep believin in God! Ask for help you'll get it :)

Answer 5

Try biting something else instead. The cream didn't work for me, so I bit plastic (the nutella spoons) for a while & it helped me. Also - remember the thought that - biting your finger nails apparently has more germs than licking the toilet seat - that ones pretty off putting

Answer 6

Using athletic tape, wrap each one of your fingers individually. It'll keep your hands functional while wrapping up the tips.

Answer 7

I DO THE SAME THING!

it's okay.. my mom tries to put stuff on my nails to make me quit.. but when i get nervous or anxious.. i don't care about the taste... i just want to bite bite bite...

Answer 8

My ex brother in law did that. It got so bad, like your case. The doctor had him to wear finger rubbers, this helped.

Answer 9

My mum did it all her life and she never found a way to stop, my son does it too and I have yet to find a way to discourage him and hes now 18;

Answer 10

Try chicken poop, if you don't have any chickens then try pidgeon poop. Soak fingers and stop chewing.