How to Stop Eating My Nails

Your fingernails can be home to numerous germs, which can spread infection, according to the CDC. This is one reason why eating your nails is a bad, unhealthy habit. Additionally, severely bitten nails are generally considered unattractive. Overcoming nail biting may be difficult at first, but once you grow accustomed to not biting your nails, you'll find the temptation easier to avoid.

Instructions

• 1

  Print two photos from your home computer: one of a lovely set of hands, with beautiful nails; the other with the hands of a nail biter. Keep these photos visible in the places you commonly eat your nails. Consider taping them to the wall or framing them, if possible. Use the disgust from nail-bitten hands, as well as the admiration for the healthy hands, as motivation.

• 2

  Learn more about the dangers of nail biting. For example, although nail biting may not cause long-term damage, it is highly unsanitary. Nail biting can contribute to conditions such as pin worms, according to the CDC.

• 3

  Wear gloves, if possible, during the times that the desire to eat your nails becomes most overwhelming. If wearing gloves is not possible, consider applying a clear, bitter fingernail polish to your nails. Yahoo Health says "the awful taste will remind you to stop every time you start to bite your nails."

• 4

  Occupy your hands with other habits, such as squeezing a "stress ball." Keeping your hands occupied may make it easier to avoid the temptation. Keep your mouth occupied by chewing gum or sucking hard candy.

• 5

  Seek counseling if you cannot overcome your nail-eating problem. A therapist may be able to help you cope with the issue, and if required, prescribe a behavioral medication to reduce the nail biting.