Go For A Regular Manicure
Professional manicures are known to decrease nail-biting effectively.
When your nails are adorned with nail paints and beautiful embellishments, they become much harder to deface. You will be forced to think twice before biting them with your teeth.
Plus, the cost of a manicure itself may stop you from chewing your nails.
A Sign Of Perfectionism
Perfectionists cannot relax or perform tasks at a normal pace, so they’re prone to becoming frustrated, impatient, and dissatisfied when they fail to reach their goals.
Nail biting helps perfectionists reduce their feelings of frustration in the current moment. As one might expect, it helps people release some of the pent-up energy and tension that they’re holding onto.
If nail biting remains untreated, it can lead to problems beyond cosmetic issues. Continuous nail biting can lead to an infection and can damage the skin on your fingers. It may also lead to the following:
- Chronic paronchyia, which is a bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the skin on fingers and around the nails.
- Subungual infection, which is a painful condition under the fingernails in which blood pools together .
- Onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection in the nails.
- Onycholysis, which is severe damage to the nail bed.
- Infections contracted through touching objects with harmful bacteria on them and then introducing the bacteria into the mouth from the fingers.
- Permanent damage and the hindrance of normal nail development.
- Dental problems.
- Temporomandibular dysfunction, which is difficulty using the chewing muscles and the joints that are located between the skull’s base and the lower jaw.
You Can Cover Your Nails
A salon manicure won’t stop you from biting your nails, but it can help. First, Dr. Berry says, “You want to place some blocks and methods to make it difficult to bite.” For example, you can put on gloves, bandages, or press-on nail sets. Anything that could physically prevent you from reaching your nails with your teeth is a good idea.
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What Qualifies As Chronic Nail Biting
Nail biting becomes chronic when it is done repetitively and is hard to control or stop. In some adults, nail biting becomes a chronic habit that can be severe enough to cause health complications.
When done obsessively to the point it causes physical harm, chronic nail biting may be categorized as a grooming disorder. You may also hear chronic nail biting referred to as a body-focused repetitive behavior.
Is There A Connection Between Nail Biting And Social Anxiety
Sometimes Nail biters often suffer from low self-esteem, and they are embarrassed by the looks of their hands and usually try to hide the nails during social interactions. The nail biting treatment will enable you not only to get your old nails back but also to free you from embarrassment and help you gain more self-confidence.
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Keep Your Nails Manicured
There is just something about a new coat of polish that makes you want to maintain the Insta-worthy mani. Why not kill two birds with one stone by committing to a weekly or biweekly manicure that leaves your digits looking sharp and your edges unbitten?
How did you stop biting your nails? Let us know on and check out our podcast episode with Dr. Aditi for advice on stress management.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Use Your Phone To Your Advantage
Enlist the help of apps like Streaks, which can help you tally how many days in a row you avoid biting your nails. The goal of the program is to rack up consecutive days of achievement so that you will work harder to maintain the momentum.
Bad habits will stop with deliberate practice, and using an app like this is an excellent way to adhere to a goal, said DePompo, who recommended tracking your habits closely for three weeks. It can take that long to turn it around, he explained.
If you want to get even fancier, you can try a product like HabitAware. The bracelet looks like a fitness tracker and uses motion sensors to detect its wearers specific behavior after a one-time training with a companion mobile app. When the device senses your hand doing your unwanted gesture, it vibrates to make you aware of what you are doing, giving you an opportunity to stop.
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Day : Quitting Cold Turkey
I kicked off my experiment with the simplest but arguably most difficult method: quitting cold turkey. Before I even got out of bed in the morning, I found it tough to kick the habit. In fact, weaning myself off cigarettes three years ago proved to be easier than telling myself to not put my fingers in my mouth.
The problem wasnt that I wanted to bite my nails. It was that my muscle memory took over without me realizing it, to the point that I found myself mindlessly chewing on my nails throughout the day. By the end of the day, I realized that quitting cold turkey was just not going to work.
Keep Nails Trimmed Short Neat And Tidy
Its reasonable to assume that if you want to bite your nails less, youll have fewer nails to bite! There will be less opportunity for you to bite if your nails are kept short and well-groomed, so it will also be less tempting for you to do so. If youre used to fake, long nails coated in polish and art, this may be incentive enough to stop. Pledge yourself that youll only pamper yourself with your favorite manicure after youve stopped chewing your natural nails. For others, this incentive may be the reverse. If you dont chew your nails frequently, purchasing them might cause you to avoid doing so.
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Make A Standing Nail Appointment
If you have the time and the funds, consider “getting your nails done regularly,” suggests Markowitz. A fresh manicure “makes them look and feel good and gives you something to look forward to.” The fact that you spent money to have them professionally done may help deter you from chewing on them. Plus, a regular manicure will help keep your cuticles and nails shaped and cleanso you dont have hangnails or ragged edges to entice you to bite them.
You can also paint your nails yourself. “Complete a full manicure with a base coat and topcoat as well,” says Rebecca Isa, creative director of the nail brand Zoya.
Have fun with different colors, designs, and prints. “Youll be less inclined to bite your nails if they arent bare, says Isa.
“To help with healing the nails from constant biting, I would recommend using the Zoya Naked Manicure Rescue Serum ,” says Isa. “It is the ultimate treatment for the nails and cuticles and promotes nail health to even the most damaged nails.”
Yoga and meditation can help relieve stress or anxious energy that makes you want to pick, notes Markowitz. The calming movements and breathwork will not only release some of your stress, but it might also distract your mind from wanting to subconsciously pick afterward. Plus, it’s hard to bite your nails when you’re in downward dog!
Covering Your Nails With Adhesive Bandages
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Q: How Do People Stop Biting Nails
A: Doctors classify chronic nail biting as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder since the person has difficulty stopping. People often want to stop and make multiple attempts to quit without success. People with onychophagia cannot stop the behavior on their own, so its not effective to tell a loved one to stop. While you want whats best for them, reprimanding only reinforces their feelings of being flawed. It can make someone feel worse and further fuel the behavior. With repeated effort and self-care, people can get closer to recovery. We usually recommend a combination treatment approach that includes:
Will Anyone Notice The Nail Biting Deterrent Product
No one will be able to notice any difference in your diction or looks while you wear the nail biting products. Our list of ex-nail biters include singers, radio broadcasters, teachers, psychologists, and doctors all of whom continued with their everyday work with no interference while using our nail biting deterrent devices, without anyone knowing that they are wearing them. It is how to quit biting nails the smartest and the most elegant way.
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Find A Positive Replacement Behavior
Once you’ve identified your nail-biting triggers, Dr. Manly suggests choosing a “replacement behavior” to take the place of chewing on your nails. This can be anything from eating or meditating to finding another object to touch. “If you tend to bite your nails when you’re hungry, have plenty of carrot sticks, raw celery, or mints on hand,” she says. If you bite your nails when you’re stressed, she recommends having a beaded necklace or another physical object you can touch with your fingers to release pent-up energy. When consistently opted for, these methods will become positive substitutes for nail-biting when you’re triggered.
Bring Out The Vinegar
This bitter-tasting ingredient is probably ready and waiting in your kitchen cupboard to help put an end to your nail-biting woes!
Whether its malt, apple cider or wine vinegar, dilute a few drops into water and dip your fingernails into it .
Let it dry naturally on your nails and serve as a pongy reminder to stop biting your nails.
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I Also Suffer From Anxiety And Stress Can I Still Be Treated Just For Nail Biting
The answer is definitely yes! Even if the nail biter also suffers from anxiety or stress he can be totally rehabilitated from nail biting. There is no direct connection between mental health problems , and nail biting. In times of stress, a nail biter is likely to bite their nails more, however, this stress only enhances, not triggers, the condition. Some people consider seeing a psychologist in order to stop nail biting, however, psychological therapy is inefficient in curing nail biting. Among our patients there have been many psychologists and psychologists children. If a patient is a stressed person, s/he will stay that way until the end of the treatment but they will no longer bite their nails. Our treatment does not involve psychological therapy. It does not address the emotional side but rather it deals with the prime reason for nail biting the urge. 99% of our patients have declared that they do not suffer from any stress or mental disease, and they described themselves as ordinary people who were not any more anxious, stressed or restless than the average person.
Q: Are There Specific Triggers For Onychophagia
A: The behavior is typically automatic people dont realize theyre doing it. Chronic nail biting often has a self-soothing quality , so people may use it as a coping mechanism. Sometimes, a hangnail or nail imperfection could spur someone to excessively groom the nail. Their goal is to improve the look of the nail, but unfortunately, the nail often ends up looking worse. They dont intend to self-harm its a grooming behavior run amok. Other triggers could be boredom, needing to concentrate or a stressful situation.
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Why Do Children Bite Their Nails
First things first, its useful to know why our children end up nibbling on their nails.
Like thumb-sucking, hair twisting and nose picking, nail biting is a common habit for children.
These behaviours are known as nervous habits although, confusingly, that doesnt actually mean your child is nervous.
Most children bite their nails when they are feeling bored or curious, to pass the time, to relieve stress or simply as a force of habit.
So, nail biting can be caused by a multitude of issues, and the most important thing is encouraging them to stop without it turning into an unhelpful nag-fest.
When Should I Talk To My Doctor About My Nail Biting
Your nail biting may have moved into the chronic or extreme category when it starts to cause physical or mental health problems that impact your life. So its never too early to talk with your healthcare provider about nail biting.
If you have any of the following complications, its a good idea to make an appointment now to come up with a plan:
-
Recurrent ingrown nails
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Using A Nibble Inhibitor
How Your Doctor Can Help
If you have tried all these at-home methods with no luck, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor. For some people, nail biting may be a sign of a more serious psychological or emotional issue. Behavior therapy is another option that can help you. At your appointment, you can discuss your nail-biting habit with your doctor and ask for a referral to a therapist.
You should also contact your doctor if you notice any signs of infection on your fingers or nails. A dermatologist can help you heal your nails and fight any infection with medication or topical treatments.
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How Can I Stop Biting My Nails
January 6, 2022, 2:16 pm152 Views
The majority of people begin nipping their nails as children. This habit can persist well into adulthood for many individuals. The most frequent cause is biting the nails vicinity, which can cause painful and inflamed skin that may become infected.
Nail biting, like most habits we become accustomed to, may be an action that we dont even realize were performing since its so routine to us, making the notion of quitting seem unattainable for many individuals. Fortunately, there are solutions and methods available to assist you in quitting. So, whether you bite your nails because of a compulsion problem, anxiety, or boredom, heres how to stop forever.
Here Are Some Ways To Stop Nail Biting Once And For All
Are you prone to biting your nails when stressed, anxious or bored? Unfortunately, you are not the only one. Interestingly, the habit is shared between 20 and 30% of the population. However, this seemingly harmless behavior can lead to serious health problems. Chronic nail-biting, if left untreated, can cause a host of health issues, including infections, and may even lead to permanent damage to your nails.
If you are one of those people who cannot help but nibble on their nails all day, you know it can be a difficult habit to break. But, there are ways to stop this urge from happening. Here are the top expert-approved tips for ending nail-biting and getting strong, healthy nails without being incessantly gnawed.
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It Can Seriously Damage Your Nails Over Time
If you only bite your nails every now and then and you’re able to stop, you’re in luckthe long-term structure of your nails should be in good shape. But Dr. Lipner says that if you’ve been biting your nails for years, some health conditions could develop as a result. “The length of the nail may be permanently shortened and they may develop brown lines. You can also contract bacterial and viral infections,” she says. Dr. Bhuyan adds that “disrupting the skin around the nails can increase the risk of fungal infection of the nail plate or skin.” Plus, other conditions can pop up in other areas of the body. “People may also suffer from dental issues, like crowding or malpositioning of their teeth or protrusion of the upper front teeth,” she says. “Swallowing nails can also cause gastrointestinal issues.”
