How can I stop biting my nails? HELP PLEASE!!!!?

Question

I've been biting my nails ever since I was about 4 when I got a nail file and filed my nails down so far (not intentionally) that they really hurt so I had to suck my finger. That lead to my nail biting habit.

Any suggestions on how to stop?

Help me! It's disgusting and I hate my nails and don't like people seeing them.

Answer 1

Tricks To Stop Biting



Keep an emery board handy so when you need it, it's available. If its not, it is going to be your teeth that take care of the nail, and you know what that means.

Better yet, try spending a few minutes every day caring for your nails. This could be a massage, oiling your cuticles, applying polish... whatever works.

Keep the nails polished. For some reason, a little polish seems to make you want to leave them alone. And did you know that even short nails can wear red polish. It's true and what's even better, men seem to love it!

If you find your fingers moving toward your mouth all on their own, you might want to invest in a bottle of anti-bite liquids. Trust me, it does taste horrid.

As a previous nail biter, I sometimes find that I fall back into old habits. But, it seems that if I have something to keep my hands occupied, my nails are safe. A stress ball works for me.

There is nothing worse than trying to grow out your nails just to have them break or peel. Here is a tip I heard a little while ago. It involves rubbing raw garlic over the surface of your nails. After a week, nails should be stronger. Definitely worth a try if you don't mind the smell.

Answer 2

Keep your nails short and file them with a glass file so you won't feel the snagging that brings them to your attention. Get a nail treatment such as Nail Bite No More, which contains Bitrex. It tastes revolting and will stop you putting your fingers in your mouth. This hopefully will break the habit for you. I still do it occasionally when my nails get too long and I'm stressed but these things have helped me.

Answer 3

in my psych on personality class, each student did an experiment to decrease a behavior that one wants to stop or decrease such as biting nails and introduce a punishment when that behavior is applied.

what i did was i had a "stress" stone with me the whole time. stress stone is a smooth stone that you can either buy from some stores or you can just use any beach stone... as long as it is smooth. i held or rubbed the stone every time i felt biting my nails. also since i tend to feel my nails with my fingers when my nails are getting longer. w/ the stone, my attention goes to it instead of my nails. i also carried a nail clipper handy.
when i bit my nails, my punishment was no starbucks coffee on the next day or any coffee for that matter. it worked.

the only bad thing was that after the experiment... i went back to biting my nails because i stopped bringing my stress stone with me.

Answer 4

I had the same problem and I just stopped 3 months ago...
use garlic, soak your fingers in crushed garlic.
The scent is so bad, you wont bite your nails
Also garlic help make the nails strong.

Nail polish works for a while, but you have to re-apply otherwise as a nail bitter you will try to peel it off with your teeth.

Don't get fake nails, the glue weakens your own nails and makes them yellow...

Answer 5

The only thing that ever worked for me was to wear nail polish. The taste and texture of it (whenever I would go to bite the nail) would remind me to NOT do it and help me break the habit. However, if I don't wear polish, I eventually get back to biting them fairly quickly...so I always keep polish on...even if it looks crappy in the beginning (on stubby nails). Also, as soon as they start to grow a little beyond your fingertips, make sure you file them to keep them shaped well...that's another thing that I'm vulnerable to, biting the edges when they're not shaped well. Good luck!

Answer 6

I've got the same exact problem and I know this kid when she gets nervous she bites her toe nails.What I do is I put on nail polish everyday and I always have gum with me incase I need something to bite on.If you chew your nails then swallow it you can hurt your stomach,I've heard that all the nails group together in your stomach over the years.It may just be a tale that parents tell their children but nail biting isn't healty anyways because all of the germs below the nail.Try what I do it's worked alright.
xoxo,
AdviceCop

Answer 7

Getting arcylic nails will help. Chances are you are still biting them because they look bad, so if you get them done and they look nice you would bite them to "fix" them. The run about 50 a full set. and every 2-3 weeks you will need to get a fill. those run about 20-30 bucks. I suggest going to a place that is NOT asian, they use the worst stuff. good luck.

Answer 8

Use a scented lotion in the morning & re-apply it throughout the day. You'll taste it when you try to bite your nails.

Since your nails are uncomfortably short, try soothing them in the evening w/ vitamin E oil, Vaseline or Neosporin. If it is cool enough, slather your hands w/ moisturizer & wear cotton gloves so it can sink in.

Answer 9

well i had a habit, kind of like yours except it was sucking my thumb. if you paint your nails it tastes really bad to suck or put that finger in your mouth. also, if you just got your nails done, you don't want to ruin that perfect manicure so you might have less urge to bite them.

also, it really is not attrative looking when you bite your nails, so if you want to stick in a piece of gum or eat something instead!

Answer 10

Use lemon juice or a spice and rub into your fingers. If it is spicy, you won't want to bite them! But if you have cuts, don't use that method. Play with something. A smooth rock, a ball, pencil, anything will work to keep your hands busy and out of your mouth! Don't think about it, and you will stop! I had that same problem, and that's what worked for me. =]