How do I stop biting the skin around my nails?

Question

Since I was about 7 I've had the bad habit of nail-biting, and from that I sort of just started nibbling at the skin around my fingernail.

I'm 18 now and haven't completely eradicated my nail-biting habit, since what I tend to do (this is usually a repetitive cycle) is paint my nails, which puts me off biting them, which then lets them grow and then I don't feel the need to bite them because they're long and smooth and nice.. but then as soon as I break a nail (they're pretty brittle/easy to snap, due to the nail-biting), I have to bite the rough part away, and then also bite all of the other nails off because I can't have just one short nail and the rest long (probably OCD or something) and then I end up biting them too far so they get sore and then I have to dig out the nail varnish and paint the tiny nails so I start the whole cycle over again.

However, whether or not I bite my nails, I tend to bite the skin around them. Just absent-mindedly (but it's very addicting when I start) and although most of the time it's fine, sometimes it can make my fingers a bit sore or look like I've been soaking them in water for several hours, all bitten and shrivelled.. you get the picture. What are some ideas on how to stop this? Thanks :)

Answer 1

Here's what you'll need:



-Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Balm (can be found at Walmart/local drugstore)

-Sally Hansen Green Tea Bamboo Nail Strengthener (found same locatios above)

-Hair, Skin, Nails pills *optional* (drugstore)

-Nail File

-Photo of Desired Nails



Every time you wash your hands with warm water this softens the cuticles (the skin around nails that you keep biting), apply the cuticle balm right after. This way, there wont be dry skin sticking up, tempting you to bite.



Before you apply your nail polish, put on a coat of the nail strengthener as a base coat.

The pills I mentioned above are also an added strengthener for nails, and although the activity you do could eventually end up with a broken nail, your nails should be hard as rock and less prone to breakage.



If the nail does break, keep a nail file close like its your best friend. You'll want to start filing away before you catch the urge to bite the roughage.



Lastly, keep a photo of how you want your nails to look if you keep at the good work, healthy cuticles, nails and all.

It's not easy kicking this bad habbit, I relapsed about a year ago lol. But its a work in progress. Don't be too hard on yourself or you could stress more. Just be concsious. Mentally say NO when you catch yourself raising your hand to your face, whip out that pictured I mentioned and try to keep busy!



Hope I could help! :-)



PS when you've got yourself on a good journey of no biting, a good way to tell your cuticles are completely healthy is when your hands get wrinkly from bath water sort of thing, the rigged white areas show your progress. There should be a smooth, even appearance.

Answer 2

I am was also a nail-biter, but I have broken the habit in a few simple steps. For me, I bited out of nervousness or boredom.

1. I did not bite them when I had pretty nail polish, so I did my nails very often.

2. I learned to do something else when I am bored instead of my nails.

3. I also asked my friends to help me stop biting.

4. Use tweezers to peel off any dry skin around your nails, so you do not have a chance to bite them.



I know it's hard, but it is easy.

Answer 3

It's basically a habit you have to break like any other. I'm 21 and still have a nail biting problem. I would suggest telling friends to scold you if they see you start doing it, and keeping yourself really busy when you're by yourself. If you can not do it for about a month or so, you can kick the habit.



Good luck!

Answer 4

i've been biting my nails for a long time as well, but i've stopped.

i stopped for lots of reasons, no.1 - i went to this beauty course and the teacher there showed us pictures of nails when you bite them, i wanted to puke they looked disgusting all bendy and stuff, that put me off for a while. another reason is painting my nails, or you can buy in pharmacies or drug shops a cream for nails that smells horrible, and every time you try to bite your nails you will smell the smell and you will stop. or if you really want to chew something chew lots of gum everywhere you go, that helped me a lot. or simply be kept busy or distracted, you tend to bite your nails when your nervous or bored.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Well I bite my skin around my nails as well and I made a easy simple nail polish for free by

*get vegetable oil , empty nail polish bottle , salt , and water

* add veggie oil , salt ,water in nail polish bottle and shake well then your done

How it helps

* weird smell

* helps our nail grow

Answer 7

I like short, trimmed nails more than I like long nails. The particular only time I like seeing lengthy nails is if they're painted, because I think they look disgusting without. They look like long claws to me.

Answer 8

I'm a guy, and personally, I don't like long nails. We know a lot of like lengthy, painted nails cause they're "so pretty", but I don't like them.

Answer 9

Just cut off your fingers, that way you'll have nothing to bite on :)