Methods to Stop Nail Biting

Nail biting is a bad habit that should be avoided. Not only does it cause you to ingest the bacteria and germs that collect under your nails, but it can leave small openings in the skin around your nails. Those openings allow viruses to make their way in. If you're unable to quit cold turkey, there are methods that can help you stop.

Make Them Taste Gross

• There are particular polishes and creams designed to help people stop biting their nails. The polish or cream is applied to the nails. The next time you try to bite them, you'll get a bitter taste in your mouth. People often bite their nails out of habit and don't realize they are doing it. The bitter taste is there to remind you of what you're doing so you can stop.

Get a Manicure

• A professional manicure leaves nails pretty and neat. When your nails look nice, you are less likely to want to mess them up. Also, regular manicures keep your fingers free of hangnails, which you may be tempted to bite. You can paint your nails yourself, but you may be less likely to bite them if you know you paid for your manicure.

Chew Gum

• Gum may be a useful tool to help you stop biting your nails. It could be the actual biting sensation that you are seeking when you bite your nails, so chew a stick of gum instead. Also, when your mouth is busy chewing gum, you won't want to bite your nails.

Get Help From Others

• Since biting your nails is a mindless activity, it can help to have others point out that you're doing it. Enlist help from your family and friends to say something every time they notice you biting your nails. Eventually, you will learn to alert yourself to the bad behavior and stop doing it.