Post: #1

Searched for a thread on this and couldn't find one.

I have been biting my nails, on and off, more or less intensely, since I was eleven (18 years). It is of course something that happens when I'm nervous or anxious, but in those situations I am usually able to realize it and stop early. What kills the streak mostly is when reading. When the subject is immersive, I get absorbed in it (sometimes this forum) and I don't even realize it - but it's not necessarily when reading something interesting as sometimes I have to read long stuff at work, and it ends up happen then too. When I am introspecting intensely as well.

The biggest period I went without biting my nails (or skin around it) was about three months when I was working abroad and I had to use my hands constantly so they were filthy. I also wasn't reading a lot during that time because I basically got home so exhausted I just ate and slept. Unfortunately, after this, I got back to normal and it started again.

Am I the only one who has this nasty habit? Did you have it and quit? How did you do it? Any tricks or methods that worked for you?

Post: #2

Know that feel brother. I've been a lifelong nail biter and quitting has been impossible. I always relapse.

At one point, I was a cigarette smoker. That was way too easy to quit. Nail biting? Forget about it.

I've tried the bitter nail crap and ended up liking the taste.

Like you, the only thing that prevents me from biting is working with my hands. Gardening, cleaning, etc.

I have stopped for short periods of time through sheer willpower. I try and give it up for lent trading nail biting for obsessive nail clipping/filing. I normally go for 4 weeks before breaking down.

In the end, it's a futile battle and I fall back into my old ways. Not fault they taste so damn good!

Nowadays I just chomp. If I need my hands to be presentable, I'll file them down before. This lasts about a day before I start chomping again.

Post: #3

Try taking biotin daily. It's one of the B vitamins. It will strengthen your nails and make this more difficult. Not guaranteed to work but should be pretty low risk.

Post: #4

I started carrying a nail file or emery board around with me, because what set mine off was chips or breaks that I would try and "fix" by biting them down. After carrying the file around for a while I was able to control it enough to where it could wait until I got home to file it smooth.

Post: #5

(12-10-2018 12:50 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  I started carrying a nail file or emery board around with me, because what set mine off was chips or breaks that I would try and "fix" by biting them down. After carrying the file around for a while I was able to control it enough to where it could wait until I got home to file it smooth.

Lifelong nail biter here. I cosign the nail file solution. When I bite my hangnails, the skin gets hard as it heals, and you can grind off the hard parts and leave a smooth surface with little or nothing that invites picking.

I combine this with hand lotion, because my nail cuticles heal better with lotion, but they get all dry and pickable without it.

I can get to where all of my finger nails have healthy, normal looking skin around them, but on the other hand, if I am stressed and don't have a nail file handy, I can pick bloody spots on half my fingers in a day. I try to keep a file by the bed, in the car, at my desk, in my back pack, etc., to manage this.

Edit: I don't particularly have a problem with the nails themselves. It's the skin around it. Once you pick it, then later there will be a dry, rough piece that hangs out, that invites picking or biting to remove it.

Post: #6

Put nail polish on your nails. Obviously clear coat it if your a dude

Post: #7

there's a certain comfort knowing I'm not the only one.

Didn't mention on the OP, but I've tried the nail polish and it didn't make any difference. And I have as much a problem with biting the skin around them as the nails themselves, as some have pointed out.

I'll try the file option.

thanks guys.

Post: #8

I've never really understood why this habit is so frowned upon... short nails are sure better than long feral nails. Just never got why it's hated on.

And yeah, I'm a nail biter, same as OP, whenever I'm concentrating it happens without even knowing it.

Personally I just don't care, it keeps my nails at a better length and does literally no harm so I don't even give it a second thought...