Nail Biting

lilymay1

Thanks for the advice.

Gilly -I'll give that nail strengthener a try. My NY's resolution is to stop biting them so we'll see how I get on.

Owl - You can't get under my nails, the end of the nail is about 1cm down from the end of my finger. They never, ever get dirty being this length so which is a plus I suppose. That was one of the main issues I had the one time I did manage to stop biting them. When they do grow they are a horrible yellow colour and the dirt under them makes it look even less attractive than just bitten.

Tea - Yes, the pain can be quite bad. I'll give the painting them a go. Might get a nail-technician friend to see what magic she can work.

Lara44

The stuff that tastes grim plus determination worked for me The wrong taste reminded me every time I unconsciously went to bite my nails and then I told myself off in my head. Stop and grow I think it's called?

Like you tealover I just really wanted nice nails for once!

lilymay1

Thanks Lara. The nail biter stuff just doesn't work for me and I think I've tried every brand going. Plus, It always ends up on everything you touch (food included) and I have a hard enough time getting my son to eat as it is!

universalady_2

I'm another nail biter I also suffer from anxiety and pabic attacks, so I know for me this is why I do it. However I tend to bite them in fits and starts. When I'm not really nibbling away, I find using a really lovely fragrant handcream often (like several times a day) and cleaning the little nails I have helps me to grow them more and more. Unfortunately when things make me feel anxious I then start off with one nail...

TheConways

I used to have this problem - what made me bite mine were rough edges of the nail, so I'd nibble them to make them straight.

I would highly recommend a manicure - even if you haven't got much nail! Painting your nails a light shiny colour will stop you wanting to nibble them. It took me until I was 28 years old to do this, and now I have nice nails most of the time.

I also always carry a nail clipper and a nail file with me now... It stops me from trying to munch on a nail if I know they are neat!

[You could also try fake nails - but these can be expensive to maintain, and also they are rather horrible to remove.]

Gillyx

Yes defo a nail file, even now Ive been stopped for around 6 months if I have a raggidy bit I can't stop myself from biting them, and then it's the next nail and the next one

Fake nails can be nice but they ruin your own nails underneath, but I've found from years of biting mine are really weak and crappy anyway

TheConways

Then the solution to not biting your nails is... Not biting your nails. Tell all your friends/husband/boyfriend/colleagues/neighbours that you are trying to stop. Tell them to shout at you if they see your fingers anywhere near your mouth. Get some willpower and just stop it!

And the solution is very MSE

lilymay1

TheConways wrote: »

Then the solution to not biting your nails is... Not biting your nails. Tell all your friends/husband/boyfriend/colleagues/neighbours that you are trying to stop. Tell them to shout at you if they see your fingers anywhere near your mouth. Get some willpower and just stop it!

And the solution is very MSE

While we're at it let's tell all the alcoholics, drug users, anorexics and fat people to 'just stop it' too Oh, and those with depression. Jeez, they should just snap out of it.

My husband, mother, brothers and friends have been telling me for years to stop. If it was going to help it would have done by now.

You are right that willpower is important, but I need some help with the subconcious biting. I will try the nail varnish suggestion and see if gloves help when I'm at home.

pinkshoes

Can you not just tape those tube bandages over your fingers? It may look ridiculous, but not as ridiculous as an adult biting their nails!!

I am trying to give up pen chewing as my resolution, which isn't going to be easy, other than buying pens with fluffy ends!

lazywife

I grew mine for my wedding 4 yrs ago. Go get yourself Sally Hansen nail strengthener (Gold Bottle... not very MSE I'm afraid). Paint it on your nails, leave for 2 days, then take off with nail remover, have a night without it and paint it on again for another 2 days. Keep this up and after 2 weeks book in an appointment for a manicure (chat with them 1st that they are happy to deal with "biters"). No nail polish to be applied, just to moisturise the cuticles, file the nails. Keep them in good growing nick. Then book 2 more sessions at 3 week intervals. Keep up with the Sally Hansen for the same pattern (2 days on, 1 night off). By the end of the 8 weeks you'll have nice looking nails.
I'd advise getting a nice hand cream and use it every night. Also a cuticle cream to use nightly and then a nail file... definately as you will be tempted to bite at the scraggy bits.
You'll find the 1st 2 weeks the hardest, but the destraction of keeping fiddling with them (nail hardener, cutucle cream etc) helps to keep you from biting them.
Good luck!
Oh and remember to "treat you nails like jewels, not tools"!
L.xxx