Comments on: Big, Bad Habits: Fingernail Biting (and What’s Helping Me Stop)

By: Nibbler

Nibbler — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:05:01 +0000

My New Years resolution is to stop biting my nails. Its really hard. I have an idea but i cant try it, put those one hand glove things that cooks use on your hand and then when you want to bite your nails you cant. Most people I know either have biten their nails before or are biting them now. Some people use that nail polish stuff but that doesnt work for me. Its really hard to stop and if anyone has an idea for me please post it because I need help quiting! Thank You!

By: Nibbles

Nibbles — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:41:29 +0000

I stopped biting my nails 8 weeks ago having done so for 33 years.

I’ve been nagged and nagged by family and friends to stop since I can remember and despite wanting to stop for years it actually became part of who I am.

Like Dave above, I had no plans to stop it just happened. My daughter asked me why I was saying “stop it” to myself – i’d not even noticed! I made a point then to tell myself out loud to ’stop it’ everytime I went for a nibble.

I’ve tried to stop in the past more times than I can remember, but this time I decided to only tell my husband and to take each day at a time. I also knew that the fear of failure was what had actually made me fail to stop biting in the past! So I forgot the ‘I’m going to stop biting my nails’ mentality and went down the ‘I wonder how long I can keep this up’ path instead.

I too have very small nail beds which look a bit odd but, what the heck, I now have nails that I’m having to cut, file and shape regularly – WOW!

My top tips;
* Verbalise what you’re thinking – you’ll sound a right plonker but it does work!
* Only tell those closest, if anyone. That way you can surprise everyone else in a few weeks time!
*Try not to set a time limit – take it one day at a time and if you do nibble, start again tomorrow.
*Take time to praise yourself and recognise how well you’re doing.

Lastly, thanks Anonymous for those encouraging words above – not. Nail-biting is also a form of self-harm but some of us are trying to focus on the positives here

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:41:34 +0000

Nail-biting can be a symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

By: Stop Biting

Stop Biting — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:35:26 +0000

Stopping nail biting is easier than you think. It is a habit not a disease. Come to this site for information and cures http://www.information-pro.com/parenting/Nail-Biting-Basics_29964/

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:55:25 +0000

If you are a compulsive nail-biter, the best remedy is to forget about it. When I used to dwell on it, I ultimately bit my nails more severely.

As a youngster I was continually nagged by the mother (who helped reinforce the habit), while my father insisted I would outgrow it. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. When I saw a shrink at age 30, I learned that I am in a statistical subgroup of individuals worldwide who are chronic nail-biters and I should not feel ashamed; that I can lead a happy and productive life whether or not I eat my nails.

I heeded that advice. I am a well-paid professional who is married and happy, yet I bite my nails without compunction, even in public. I know there are many people who find the habit offensive, but that does not concern me. My advice to any nail-biter is that it is better to stop, but never feel shame or guilt if you cannot. My other advice to professional nail-biters is to frequently wash the hands for hygienic reasons.

By: sary

sary — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:06:50 +0000

I always seem what wrong with biting my nails ?Because my mom awayla say stop bitiim=ng my nails

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:49:15 +0000

30 now. Been a nail biter for as long as I can remember. Tried the bitter nail polish, but I just got used to the taste and started biting through the polish.

Hypnotherapy actually worked for me for a while. Nails were starting to look good. But had to stop seeing the therapist after a month because it was too expensive and then I started biting again because I got stressed. If you can afford this treatment I definately reccommend it though I did not try it for too long.

Just came across this website today: http://www.psychresearch.com/nails.html. Tried what was recommended and it freaked me out! So far I have not bitten my nails today. It scared me so much that I went out on my lunch break and bought some more bitter stuff. I also put a rubberband around my wrist and have been pulling it then letting it go to sting myself every time I get the urge. Day 1 is looking good.

I will keep you all updated. Go to the website and let me know what you think after hearing the audio at the bottom of the page. Scary.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:36:43 +0000

I have stopped bitting for around 8 weeks now and my nails look healthy. They are still quite weak though so I am treating them with a strengthener.

I just decided I was going to stop and did. I have some suggestions for others though:

1. try to grow one nail at a time – start by letting just your little finger nails grow first and work your way to your thumbs.

2. rub moisturising lotion onto your hands – the scent or taste will remind you not to bite.

In response to Rob – file your nails down instead of cutting them!

By: Connie

Connie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:25:10 +0000

I’ve been a biter for over 20 years. My sister says my fingers look alien. They are sore and they bleed from the picking,peeling & biting. This habit it so gross. It’s been so bad that I clench my fists to hide them. i picked the skin so bad in a fancy resturant and had to stop the bleeding on the cloth tablecloth ( hiding my hands under the table) SICK really, I have times when I can’t pull up my zipper or do buttons. Putting my hands in my kids bathwater stings sometimes. it’s so aweful!! I laugh at people who say don’t you know how many germs are under your nails? Nails what Nails? there is nothing for germs to get under HAH Clearly these people don’t bite their nails!

My good friend is getting married I’m in her wedding she is paying for all the girls to have mani/pedi’s the day before the wedding. I was in PANIC when I found this out. I was sure I would be humilated and have to back out. BUT instead my very best friend bought me a gift cert. to a pricey spa to have my nails done. It’s been 16 days since I’ve bitten, tomorrow I’m going to get my first manicure ever!! And next week I know I’ll have no reason be be embarrassed getting my nails done w/ the girls at my friends wedding. I’m so proud of myself ;)
For me it was a combo of not wanting to waste my friends money it was a $$$ gift card. And also not wanting to let done my bride friend or miss out on an experience. Everyone can come up with a motivation of their own. I didn’t even stop bitting for my own wedding!! My husband is going to be so happy finally see the diamond he picked out for me on a lovely finger instead of a bloody one.
This habit is harder to break then smoking & I kicked that habit like 7 years ago. Smoking is easy just don’t buy them. Fingernails don’t go anywhere, so you have to use more self disapline.
Well that was my rant… I wish you all the best and hope you can gain the control you want and stop the insanity called nail bitting.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:40:32 +0000

Hey

iv been bitting my nails ever since i was 8 years old. i am now goin on 16. Iv tried that bitter tasting stuff, and money bribes from mum and also just trying not to do it. Im always using my hands for things as i play a number of musical instuments. i want to grow them long so they look nice when i do my bagpipe solos haha. I just dont know how too! i think i do it at school…. not too sure though. I dont really pay attention when i bite them.

Anyone got any more ideas??? Mum keeps on haggering onto me about stopping because “its an ugly thing to do and your so beautiful” she also seems to think iv got some problem in my life and im mutilating myself by doing so. Im perfectly happy as far as i no.

so let me no wot ya think :)

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:07:06 +0000

Hi i’m Brett i started bitting my nails abought a week ago i have to stop. I try curling my hair but i just got a buzz cut (hate it!) so now i can”t do that i dont know what to do i tap my foot i twilr my shirt but nothing helps ! anybody have any sugestions thanks bye!

p.s. I am only 11 help!!!

By: mrs joey

mrs joey — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:21:36 +0000

Great story, Joel!

Your story has inspired me to try again at no longer biting my nails. I have faith this time may actually work. Take care of the supporting habits rather than the primary one, makes perfect sense!

Thank you!

Mrs Joey

By: BL

BL — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:12:21 +0000

Looks like Im not alone. I have the same problem. Im into my early 30s and still face the issues of nail biting/peeling. Women hate it, and I learned of that quick when I was in college, on a date, and the girl said “holy crap, you bite your nails, thats nasty”. The date was over quick, needless to say. Never heard from her again.
Since then, I refuse to go on dates anymore because of that (a subconcious issue I guess). What I am going to do, I have no idea. Ill even be in bed, watching TV, start peeling my nails, NOTICING that I am doing it, but keep doing it. Its the weirdest damn thing I have ever heard of.

By: Weisley

Weisley — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:12:37 +0000

Hi everybody,

I’ve bitten my nails for a long long time since I was six. It was getting more and more frequent until I bit them until they bleed. Whenever I saw the white or any cuticles, I will just bite them off and further bit the skin around the nail (after the nail is ‘finished’). Here I am today, still biting them. My nails look reallyy terrible now. I don’t even dare to show my hand when I went for interview, or having meeting with others, even paying bills by passing the notes.

I’ll just subconciously bit them while I am doing my work (with one hand). Even when I am driving ! I just not controlling myself well when I am alone. Even in the office, I did it, assuming that nobody saw me biting. However, I am 100% sure that everybody was noticing me with this dirty lousy disgusting habit (worse than smoking).

Pal, please try your best to get it done. I am fighting for my life target now and work hard to get business for myself. I am preparing myself financially and entionally to step onto another stage of my life now.

Manicure is a good suggestion! I am thinking of going to try it sometimes. Yeah, not only it is for ladies!

(I tried putting on lotin – stop for one month)
(Putting on finger nail base coat – stop for one week)

By: dondee

dondee — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:39:24 +0000

I tried all of the creams, polishes, yucky tasting stuff, and nothing worked. There is a new device on the market that “prevents” the bite. I used it for two months, was impossible to bite my fingernails, and now my nails look good. Check out “nailbitestopper.com

By: Newgmole

Newgmole — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:11:39 +0000

been bitin’ for 43 years. stopped for a while several years, but came back to this cannibalism. i too am ashamed this bad habit. maybe there is something to the chilhood thing…don’t know. I think that i’ll try the “one finger at a time” approach,
that worked for me before. wish me luck

By: Allie

Allie — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:17:12 +0000

Wow! I thought I was alone in this! I used to bite my nails when I was a kid, stopped when I was 14, and now at the age of 29, I realize that I am sitting for hours on end just picking away at my cuticles. I HATE that about myself. I also bite my lips come to think of it; and mother issues….yeah, I’ve got PLENTY of those! Both of my parents beat me when I was a kid; I wonder if the constant anxiousness I used to feel has anything to do with these disgusting habits I can’t seem to break . I also used to wind my hair around my fingers and pull it out, and poke my skin and tear at it with pins. …. But back to my nails specifically, I thought I was in control of my habit as long as I was using a nail clipper to do my dirty work, and not biting at it (it doesn’t count as “biting” if I’m not ….biting my nails)…….as a result, I too am often sore and bloody. I often don’t even realize what I am doing until it is “too late” and I have already struck blood. I need help!

By: mona

mona — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:53:09 +0000

I also have serious issues with my mother driving me to the point that I want to jump off a building. I dont notice myself biting more though, with her present, but I do eat uncontrollably around her, so , I think nail biting is the same kind of coping mechanism for stress. I’m going to contact a nail salon(one that uses autoclaves to sterilize equipment between clients), and ask whether they can apply fiberglass tips tothe tiny little portion of my nail bed. I once inquired at a Korean salon 8 years ago and they said that I had to first grow my nails for at least 3 weeks in order to have anything for the tips to stick to, but that was just one opinion, I realize now, 8 years later. I just gave up when she told me that, and didnt question whether someone else might be able to help me. I know this is the only way to stop. The nail tips , once applied, can be shortened to any lenght, so men can also have them applied. Once your real nail grows, and then you can just soak off the acrylic or fiberglass ones. I did read that acrylic absorbs water and makes you more at risk for infection though.