Ideas to stop nail biting

[dinkster]

I''ll be the first to admit that I''m a pretty bad nail biter. I think I can thank my mom (as well as grandmother) for the habit. I''ve tried everything from acrylic nails, to the nail polish that tastes bad, to even having a rubber band around my wrist and snapping it when I catch myself. The thought of the germs going into my mouth really doesn''t cross my mind either. (Though, I will say, it''s nasty, I just at the time never think about it).

My boyfriend and I a few weeks ago went and looked at engagement rings. I knew we were going to look, and so I was able to stop biting my nails for about 2 weeks (nails sadly didn''t grow too much in those two weeks, but it helped). And since our visit to the jeweler, I''ve started biting again because I know it''ll be about another month or so before we go again (we''re in a long distance r-ship at the moment).

I''m wondering, are there any former nail bitters out there? And if so, how''d you stop?

 

[Elmorton]

Dinkster -

I''m a nail biter - and it''s BAD. The only time I''ve ever stopped was when DH and first started dating. Whenever I''d watch TV (worst biting time) or movies, he''d be holding my hand. Sickeningly sweet, absolutely true.

The only thing I can do if I need to grow ''em out is continually get manicures until I run my account dry. That''s how I kept them long before we were engaged and before the wedding. At home, I''ll do tons of coats of clear polish, because I''ll pick off the polish before I''ll go back to biting, and I know that when the polish is gone, it''s time to re-apply or I''ll bite.

But that''s all I''ve got for you! I''ve never been able to kick the habit.

 

[diamondfan]

I bit like crazy.

Now I get compliments on my nails and get weekly manicures.

I would spend a fortune on acrylics which can be tough on your nails, and I would pick them off with my teeth!!!

One, I thought about how dirty my nails were, no matter how much hand washing I did.

I thought about how immature it made me look, and how nervous.

I also thought about wearing gorgeous rings yet having gross bloody skin and stumpy nails. That did it for me.

 

[smiles]

im not sure if this really helps too much but i used to bite my nails down so far it hurt. What changed? I was at a dinner with my bf''s grandparents and I had acrylics and they basically said they look funny with a french manicure. I was slightly embarassed for the second time when it came to nails in front of his family (the first was when the glowed in the dark during cosmic bowling). I told my bf that to help me stop biting, stop talking engagement and give him a break that i promised i wouldnt talk future until i stopped biting and paid off my credit card because nice nails and no debt were how i wanted to get engaged! the nail half of the deal was the easier half!!!!

think about how much more beautiful your ring will look on your hands when you have strong healthy nails. maybe wear a ring on a different finger so when you go to bite you remember why you want to stop!
sorry that was so looong!! good luck!

 

[diamondfan]

I allowed myself one nail on each hand to bite, not all ten. Seeing the others grow (mine grow very fast) was quite the incentive for me.

No manicurist can believe I ever bit, and I get asked if my nails are gels or silk wraps. I only use normal polish.

 

[anniee19]

I have recently, in the last 6 months, kicked that habit! I also did the whole acrylic thing, only to tear the off one by one, totally wasting my money! I started using Nailtiques Formula 2 nail protien every day, following the directions and they look so much better now. As long I did it every day and kept them nice looking, it was easier not to bite! I also decided I wanted pretty engagement ring nails, and although I don''t have the ring yet, my hands look 10x better

 

[honey22]

I used to bite my nails for years and then about 10 years ago I just said enough is enough, I am sick of yucky looking hands and not being able to wear polish so I made a New Years Resolution to stop biting them. Come New Years Day I applied a clear coat of polish onto my crappy bitten nails and have had gorgeous natural nails since then. I will admit I did go a little backwards in the final few weeks of my honours year writing my thesis, but as soon as I submitted out came the clear coat and I grew them again.

I found that my nails looked much nicer with clear polish on and everytime I went to bite them, the feel of the polish on my nails reminded me not to bite them.

I give myself a manicure at home around once a week, and really try to look after my hands. I apply hand and nail cream easily 20-30 times a day (I work in a lab and wash my hands lots, so everytime I dry them I apply). People are always complimenting me on my nice nails and I really don't feel propely dressed without my nails done.

ETA - don't get acrylics (sorry to all those fakie lovers out there) but they are so bad for your real nails. They will make them soft and easy to break, and honestly, they do look a bit cheap (sorry again!).

I am not sure if it is available in the US, but here in Australia we have a range from Sally Hanson called Hard As Nails. It's basically like a clear nail polish but it's fortified with all sorts of stuff to make your nails stronger and less prone to breakage. I really think it helps them stop splitting (where the top layer of the nails peels off from the bottom layer). I find that I really need something like this as I wear gloves all day at work and wash my hands lots.

 

[Pandora II]

I bit mine for years and years. My father used to bribe me to stop.

To make myself stop I went and bought a complete manicure kit - mainly Sally Hanson (I love that Hard as Nails stuff).

I think got a professional mani to start them off and carried on from there.

I do have relapses and if I break a nail I will bite it - I can''t bear rough edges. Now I always carry a nail file in my bag, I have about 3 at home and one on my desk at work - I have the crystal ones that are brilliant. Now I have no excuse for biting as I can easily smooth away any bits that annoy me.

I have nails that split easily (perfect cleavage???

) and the Hard as Nails stuff is great for stopping that. Sunday night is manicure night and I spend about an hour fixing them. The square oval is the best for not letting them split I find.

Did anyone else find that your nails were very weak for quite a long time after you stopped biting? Mine are now strong enough that they don''t bend easily, but it took years for that to happen.

Above all, I have noticed that I bite them more when I am anxious and depressed and don''t when I''m happy. Since I went on my new meds I barely bite them at all (except when they break).

Good luck - it''s a tough habit to break, but you will be so proud of yourself when you do it. I get so many compliments on my nails nowadays and don''t hide them like I used to.

 

[cammy85]

Date: 4/24/2008 8:56:21 PM
Author:dinkster
I''ll be the first to admit that I''m a pretty bad nail biter. I think I can thank my mom (as well as grandmother) for the habit. I''ve tried everything from acrylic nails, to the nail polish that tastes bad, to even having a rubber band around my wrist and snapping it when I catch myself. The thought of the germs going into my mouth really doesn''t cross my mind either. (Though, I will say, it''s nasty, I just at the time never think about it).

My boyfriend and I a few weeks ago went and looked at engagement rings. I knew we were going to look, and so I was able to stop biting my nails for about 2 weeks (nails sadly didn''t grow too much in those two weeks, but it helped). And since our visit to the jeweler, I''ve started biting again because I know it''ll be about another month or so before we go again (we''re in a long distance r-ship at the moment).

I''m wondering, are there any former nail bitters out there? And if so, how''d you stop?

Dinkster, I was always I bad nail biter. When I was a little kid especially, it was my nervous habit, and then it just became habit. I never thought about germs, either. I tried the acrylic nails, hot pepper nail polish (which I think ended up backfiring because I eat spicy food all the time), the really gross tasting nail polish and rubber bands. I''ve tried it all, like you. The rubber bands didn''t work for me because I could only reinforce myself after having bitten my nails down to the nub. I played sports all the time, so I''d always have a hangnail (and no clippers, nail file, wtc) so I''d take care of a hangnail by biting some more.

I finally stopped really biting a few years ago. My saving grace was just simple colored nail polish. With that on my nails, I would remember cringing if it made it into my mouth. It taste like chemicals and you realize you just pretty much ate nail polish haha. Now I always keep a little $7 walgreens ''manicure kit'' (clippers, file, cuticle cutter, nail buffer) in my purse so that if I get a hangnail I can take care of it right away - without biting. (I can''t just leave a hangnail. I obsess over it until it''s taken care of)

I have to admit, every once in a while I''ll zone out and realize I''ve just bitten a hangnail back to the nub. I feel so upset and guilty, but then realize ho wmuch progress I''ve made )

If all else fails, just don''t bite the nail on ''that finger''

I''m not sure if this helped, but that''s just from my personal experience.

Good luck!

 

[Dani511]

Hi Dinkster,

I have been biting my nails and cuticles (gross, I know, but it''s a tough habit to kick) for as long as I can remember. Often when I am nervous I do it without being cognizant of it! The only thing that works for me ( or at least for biting just the nail itself) is wearing acrylic nails. It forces me to stop, try as I might! It is something that both my mother and one of her brothers has been doing for thier lifetimes as well, to the point of raw fingers. It seems my sister and I have picked this up. I completely understand your situation, and if I were you, I would try getting my nails done again for a few consecutive months and see what happens. Good luck!!

 

[diamondfan]

Pandora, mine were, a bit. Now they are like rock. My mom also bribed me to stop, 10.00 for each nail that went past my fingertips. (this was over 30 years ago, it was A LOT then). I would get the money then bite all over again.

I had a Jovan nail care kit with a buffer. I love that thing.

One day it just disgusted me so I stopped. I have had a couple of relapses. Most recent was the summer leading up to my oldest''s bar mitzvah which included my then 4 year old having a tonsillectomy and I was a nervous wreck.

 

[dragonfly411]

There is a nail "paint" if you will that you can put on your nails. It has hot spicy stuff in it, that is tooooooo hot. Every time you got to bite you get a big tongue full. Stopped me.

 

[dinkster]

Date: 4/25/2008 11:42:57 AM
Author: dragonfly411
There is a nail ''paint'' if you will that you can put on your nails. It has hot spicy stuff in it, that is tooooooo hot. Every time you got to bite you get a big tongue full. Stopped me.

This hot spicy stuff interests me...I cannot STAND anything spicy (I struggle with salsa) so this might be something which could help! What is the name of it, if anyone can recall? Currently I''m using the Hard As Nails stuff, and then a nasty taste polish called Bite It (I picked it up at a CVS in California, and now I live in IN). It''s pretty good, stays on for a while...and the taste does linger.

I''ve tried the acrylic nails, and think, wow, they look nice, I can do this, keep them on, etc. but the thought or something on top of & sealed to my nails made me bite those off too, and yes, the ugly "I just had acrylics" look isn''t anything to be proud of or show off.

I do like the idea of looking at a ring on my finger (currently not wearing any)...but I''d need to get a ring first!

Oh....and I forgot to mention that like some of you, I''ve been bribed, by my nail bitting mom to stop...she last offered me $500 to stop, probably because she knows it''s hard!

 

[Bliss]

I echo all of the other former nailbiters!

I used to be one, too. I carry manicure scissors (so if there''s a cuticle I need to clip or tuck, I won''t end up ripping it off - yowza!), nail file (no jagged edges) and cuticle oil. That''ll keep your fingertips nice so you won''t be tempted to worry them to death!

And nice manicures. They really do help work wonders.

It''s hard to bite a nail you just spent good money on!

Also, shame works. Think of when you''ll have a beautiful ring -- you''re going to have to show your hands!!!

 

[dinkster]

Date: 4/25/2008 2:14:30 PM
Author: Bliss
Also, shame works. Think of when you''ll have a beautiful ring -- you''re going to have to show your hands!!!

A few years ago, my ex boyfriend gave me a shared setting diamond band. When people wanted to see it, I''d end up folding my fingers over. You''d think that having some nice shiny bling on your finger which you constantly look at would make a girl stop---right? Nope...not me.

This is a constant struggle!

 

[Bliss]

Dinkster, me too!

Shame is a powerful motivator, though!!! =D

Whenever you think of biting -- think about someone biting their nails.

I never knew how horrid it looked until I saw this one girl biting her nails in person.

She looked so whack! Just gnawing and gnawing -- mouth all twisted sideways like a dog trying to get into the marrow of a bone... Then she had saliva on her chin, kind of. Eyes wild and zoned out.
And the dirty hand in the mouth, the fingers all shiny with spit.

It's HORRIFIC!

I saw someone biting their nails and that was IT!

I was like, "I LOOK LIKE THAT?????"

OK! OK! I realize how disturbing that was... but it works!!!!!!!!

So use that mental picture!!!

 

[Bliss]

Dinkster!

See? This mental image should help!

 

[dinkster]

That picture cracked me up...and if only she had blue eyes! (I have blond hair).

The mental picture of what I probably look like when gnawing away could probably help me stop. I never thought of that.

Between the fiery hot stuff (anyone have a name for it??) and the image of me biting, well, that''s somewhat disturbing.

OH---and for some reason, my nail of choice has always been THEE finger. For years and years...not sure why either.

 

[Bliss]

Dinkster, you asked for it!!!!

LOLOLOL!!!!

 

[dinkster]

Brilliant! I love it!

Maybe I need to print that out. If only I had a small space on my desk--but there''s hardly any room. I even told my boyfriend not to send flowers to work because seriously, there''s no place to put anything between the phone, printer, screen, etc.

I found myself with my chin in my hand...almost going to bite...but I stopped myself!

 

[mimzy]

i went through a biting spurt that lasted a few years and i had a hard time quiting too. the only thing that worked for me was making myself bite my knuckle whenever i caught myself biting my nails. it was sort of a "biting your nails is just as stupid and gross as biting your knuckle, so stop you idiot" type thing AND it usually hurt which made me pull my hand away from my face automatically. i know it sounds strange, but it totally worked.


also you can maybe try taking prenatal vitamins. your nails will grow faster and that might motivate you to keep them nicer (i use this because even though i don''t bite them anymore i still rip (yes, rip) them when they start to get long.

 

[that_someone_special]

I still do-- just not as much anymore!! I just started doing my nails with a THICK nail polish. Revlon makes this 10day nail polish that is kind of thick-- when biting it.. it''s gross, thick, and icky!! It helped a lot.. though-- looking at my nails NOW... I chewed them off the other day. I still try not too, but once I break two.. I get mad and cut or bite the others off.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I wish there was something that made it easy. I tried stopping many, many times over the years--I''ve ALWAYS bitten my nails. I would let them grow, then relapse! I tried everything: nail polish that was bitter to the taste, acrylics, manicures every week, CONSTANTLY sucking on hard candy...I even put bandaids over the tips of all my fingers for over a week once!

Finally, about two years ago, I realized the only thing that was going to make me stop was pure determination. So one day I just stopped and that was it. Every time I wanted to bite my nails, I just told myself that it wasn''t going to happen. It was seriously difficult.

I haven''t bitten my nails in over two years and it''s still a struggle, but not as hard as it was. Like Pandora, I have to keep nail files around or I''ll bite a rough edge. And I still bite AT my nails if that makes any sense--I''ll bite down on them, but not through the nail. Or if I''m wearing polish, I''ll bite at the polish. I''m certain that I''ll never bite my nails again, but I still have the urge to. I hope someday the urge goes away.

Wish I had some good advice for you, all I can say is that you just have to force yourself to stop and stick to it.

 

[dinkster]

I think that you're right New England Lady, it's going to take pure determination to stop. I, like you when I had nails about 2 weeks ago, would bite on the nail, but not through, and then before I knew it, they were all gone. I bit again today the only nail which was starting to grow.

I know heavy smokers (including those who'd come close to a pack a day) who've successfully quit, and just this year my boyfriend decided to quit smoking by going cold turkey after about 5+ years of smoking (I daily tell him I'm proud of him)...why can't I stop biting? You'd think right?

I'm still curious about the hot tasting polish...

 

[mamie]

Recently reformed nail biter checking in! Never in my life was I able to kick that habit until two months ago. On my last visit to the jeweler to confirm my e-ring decision. It was really hard, but I just kept thinking of showing off my ring with decent-looking hands. So I started a regimine of applying another Sally Hansen product called "Daily Growth Program." You apply this clear coat once a day for five days and then take it off and start again.

It''s been over two months since I''ve bitten (well....i allow myself to bite my thumb nails), and while the length has taken some getting used to (I type a lot), I like the look of my nails now and don''t want to revert to my little nail nubs I sported.

Good luck!!

 

[dinkster]

Hi ladies! I went to CVS over the weekend and saw something by Sally Hansen called Hard As Nails, Nail Wraps, have any of you used it? I think it''s pretty similar to that Nutri Nail stuff...pretty much getting your nails as hard as possible.

My nails aren''t brittle or weak thankfully, but I''m needing something that''ll just be thick and "reminding" on my fingers.

I thought before I went out and bought it, that I''d ask first if you''ve used it, or know someone who has. I''ve been reading reviews online, and it''s hit and miss for both products.

Thanks!