Nail Biting

skintandscared_2

I used to bite my nails then one year my mum paid for me to have those acrylic nails stuck on. They were fantastic. Instant gorgeous nails, plus so rock hard they are totally bite-proof! They grow out with your own nails so you don't have to have them removed until your own nails are of a good length. Once you've had gorgeous nails you really do lose the urge to bite them.

RainbowDreamer

Sorry not read replies so apologies if this has already been mentioned. I am currently trying to stop biting also. I am using a method that has worked for me before.. I just didnt give it long enough to work better.

Basically it is a method that a hypnotist shared with me (although I didnt get the hypnosis).

Do you mess with your fingers and nails often? Feel for jaggered edges before biting or picking?

There are subconscious things we do before we actually bite our nail as a nail bitter with the habit (or is it unsconscious? I dunno).

Anyway get an elastic band and put it around your wrist.. or 1 on each if you prefer lol.

Everytime you notice yourself feeling your fingers, looking for an edge or actually bitting... twank it against your wrist so that it hurts (but not hard enough to leave a welt or do damage!!).

The feeling jolts you into consciousness. The tip I was told was whilst twanging try and imagine a very horrible sound in your mind.. like nails on a scratch board or a cat wailing maybe? or screaming? (I personally dont do this as my brain wont work in that way lol).

Basically if you do this EVERY single time you bite or are about to you start to become aware of what happens before you bite.. which helps you stop yourself from doing it.

If you have an iphone or andriod phone there is an app called "StopBite" and basically its like a quit smoking app in a way it counts the days you dont bite and gives motivational messages. It also tells you how much roughly your nails have grown

If you want a motivational buddy inbox me and I will quit with you

RainbowDreamer

Also buy some cheap nail strengthener as they will be weak from all the biting. And get a nail file... every time I get a jagged bit I file it to stop temptation and as they get longer they start looking nice.

an9i77

lilymay1 wrote: »

I bite them all day every day, most of the time I don't realise I'm doing it. Occasionally, when I chew a bit too far and they bleed, I will 'wake up' and realise what I'm doing then stop.

I like the gloves idea though. Perhaps if I look for some really thin really tight clear ones it might make a difference. Like surgical gloves maybe.

Angi - What is shellac? Forgive my ignorance, nail's have never really been my strong point. Is it sort of a gel that's applied to your nails and then shaped?

Pretty much - its like a super strong shiny gel, I thought if I got my nails done it would make me appreciate them and stop biting them, and I didn't bite them - but I also pick my nail and the lovely shellac was so pickable that I just ended up picking it all off!

swingofthings

Another nail / skin bitter here but I am male so some of these tips re false nails won't work for me!

RainbowDreamer

swingofthings try the elastic band

For all those recommending false nails.. the only problem with this is it actually weakens your nails further. Meaning once you take them off yes your nails will have grown, but the slightest catch will break them. I found that if one nail got ruined I would feel crap and end up biting the rest lol.

So this time I am working on getting out of the habit and keeping them short until they are strong enough. But I would rather have short strong nice looking nails that I can paint that chewed yukky looking ones

RainbowDreamer

Also for anyone that bites mostly at home or spends all day in the house... try plasters or that tape you can buy in the chemist for sticking down wound dressings. I found with the tape because I could cut pieces the same size as my nails I could still go out and do a shop with the tape on meaning I couldnt bite them. I guess it depends if you dont mind looking silly for a few weeks

pollypenny

I bit my nails until I had my first boyfriend, many years ago.

I always carry a small nail file and use it as soon as I feel a nick or rough edge. This stops me chewing it smooth.

Thanks to a teenage boy I have had long string nails for years.

Tigsteroonie

Been chewing on my nails, and the surrounding skin, all my life. The longest I think I've managed to stop is 6 months. I would agree that I tend to get 'hooked' by finding a rough edge and want to even it up, so maybe constantly carrying a nail file could be one answer. Much of the time I'm not aware that I'm chewing, it's generally when I'm tired and reading something (like MSE!!)

I'm interested in the thought of having acrylics, and the nail growing underneath. Is it healthy? Is it practical (I have a toddler)?

skateykatey

Another extreme biter here too. I decided that I needed nice nails for my wedding this month so stopped biting all nails bar two (my thumbs). The thought of my nails in the wedding pics was enough to shame me! They weren't long enough for falsies to be stuck on so that gives you an idea of how bad they were.

Surprisingly, they are now incredibly strong and grow so quickly despite not putting anything on them. To stop me I do wear bright varnish as if they are bare I will pick.

I would have hated people reminding me not to bite; but the tape/bandage idea sounds like it would have worked for me so if I was in your position I would give that a go.