Nail/cuticle biting

[Karen_B]

OK, so I am a terrible nail and cuticle biter. I bite my nails and I gnaw on my cuticles, sometimes to the point of bleeding. It is a nasty habit and makes my hands look awful. Not to mention that it hurts! Sometimes my cuticles will be inflamed because of all the biting I do.
Does anyone have any tips on how to stop this? I bite without thinking about it. I'd like to have nice nails - I won't ever have long nails since I work in a lab and have to wear gloves for the most part of the day, which makes my nails weak, but I don't want my fingertips to look like bloody rags.
Thankful for any advice!

 

[KAIA]

I used to that before.. I tried fake nails, but they were annoying (IMO) so this is what I do now, I get a manicure, and pick a nice color (I always pick red) and I swear my nails look soo pretty I don't want to bite them anymore... This worked for me, but I have to keep them all painted and nice all the time, otherwise I feel tempted to bite again.. That's the only way to keep long and pretty. HTH!

 

[ThiicknSeskii]

what about getting acrylic or gel nails? iv bitten my nails my hole life and iv been wearing acrylics for 3months my cuticles look great with some Solar oil and i don't bite them anymore i just don't get the urge

You can pick the length so they can be short or a overlay on your natural nail just don't go to a cheaper place and risk them falling off or recking your nail beds.

 

[redambition]

nail hardener, nail hardener, nail hardener.

it worked wonders for me - the fact that there was polish (of sorts) on my nails (ick! yucky taste stuff) meant i lost the will to bite my nails. if i got desperate and tried - the nail was too hard and rigid to get any results, so i'd give up. once your nails are a bit longer, add colour polish as well, using the nail hardener as a base coat. when my nails are polished i want them to stay all pretty like.

also, stash emery boards or nail files everywhere around you. i have some in my handbag, some at work, some around the house. that way if a nail splits or gets damaged you can file it smooth, which reduces the urge to chew on the annoying bit - which was another reason i had for nail biting. every time there was a hint of a ragged edge, out came the nail biter in me.

i'm still stumped on the cuticle solution though

i chew on them so much when i'm stressed (ie - monday to friday) and they look horrible. i've found putting on hand cream or cuticle oil helps (it tastes icky, just like nail polish), but it's a pain to do regularly and i keep forgetting. it also doesn't stop me picking at them with my hands

 

[frocher]

They sell a bitter polish that you can paint on your nails. I think that it is meant to be a reminder to stop biting. They sell it at drug stores.

 

[Stormy]

I am the same way!! I nibble and pick at my cuticles all the time. Moreso when I am bored or stressed. Every single night I put neosporin on my cutcles because I almost always end up picking one or more of them to the point of bleeding. I've tried to be better since I got engaged and I want my hands to be pretty for my ring, but I honestly am not sure if it's something I will ever be able to stop doing.

 

[Karen_B]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I'll go and look for nail hardeners. The cuticle thing is really a bitch, I don't know why I can't stop picking at them.

 

[Stormy]

For me, it's just a habit, sometimes a nervous habit. Half the time I don't even realize I am doing it until it's too late....I'm willing to bet you're the same way?

 

[Karen_B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy For me, it's just a habit, sometimes a nervous habit. Half the time I don't even realize I am doing it until it's too late....I'm willing to bet you're the same way?

Exactly the same, LOL!
I've been pretty good the last few days though!