How can i stop a really bad habit of nail biting?

Question

it has came to a point where its really bad, i also have a tendency to bite skin off my fingers. i used to have a pacifier for a long time when i was little and now its getting really bad. i actually hide my fingers from people. Its gross and it needs to stop. i need suggestions on how to stop really bad. please help me and please dont leave any negative comments....and leave helpful, good suggestions on how to stop...thanks

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

Well I asked the same question and I'm starting to stop when I see myself start to bite them I'll think of something gross but it's not actually there that's on my hand. Or you can go to the store and get some finger nail polish that tastes really bad so you will NEVER want to bite them again I haven't tried that one yet but if this doesn't work i'll go

Answer 3

There are some products on the market that are specifically made to help with this problem. It's like a fingernail polish and when you apply it to your fingers, it leaves a really bad taste in your mouth - I assume to either make you aware that you're actually biting them or to get you to stop.
Here's also a website you can check out: beauty.about.com/od/nailbiting
Hope this helps! :o) ♥ Tracy

Answer 4

How about replace it with a good habit?

When you bit, you may be stressed. So, why not stop what you're doing and go for a walk or play some basketball or a few push up to pump some oxygen into your body. Relax and naturally stops biting.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

try nail extensions or tips and keep them on for two weeks to grow your real nail underneath. get a manicure after you remove the tips to strengthen the real nail. keeping your nails pretty will also be an incentive to keep them long and healthy. hopefully after two weeks your habit will have subsided a bit. if not, you could always keep the tips on for a while longer. keep gum or or other treat handy so you can keep your mouth busy during those anxious nail biting moments.

Answer 6

i had that problem 2 its really hard to stop ,go to the hair store and buy nail grow nail polish your nail will start 2 grow during the weeks and you will see how better your nails look and try not to be shy and when your scared or worried go and do somthing that includes using your hands right now my nails are looking kind of good and there not that long yet try when your put your hands behined your back please use my advice.

Answer 7

they have this stuff at the drug stop called stop nail biting and thumb sucking it taste terrible i used to bite my nails too after your nails start growing and look nice you wont want to bite them keep the stuff on them for a long time it helped me now i have long beautiful nails

Answer 8

dip your fingertips into acetone. the second u put your finger into your mouth and taste it you will be repulsed. do this until you stop biting them. if not you can always try dipping them in garlic. acetone works the best though because the taste is disgusting. you might like the garlic and get hungry.

Answer 9

You know what stopped me?

Getting artificial nails.

I couldn't chew them off, and I had them put them on short enough to where the adjustment wouldn't be too much.

Then, once the artificial nails fall off, you have beautiful natural nails underneath.

Answer 10

Ive used garlic. in da past. if u cant stad da smell or natural garlic, there's a nail polish dat when u bite it has a really bad taste also made of garlic.