Any Nail Biters out there?

[buzzrelly]

Help me stop! I've been a nail-biter for as long as I can remember. The only times I've ever stopped for a long period of time was when I used to get fake nails but in my line of work they are not allowed. I've tried that nail-polish that tastes gross and I've bitten through that...Gross...I know. Anyone have any suggestions? What worked for you to stop biting your nails? I hate the way they look! Thanks!

 

[The_Alice]

Nail biter here too. One thing I have noticed is mine tend to split on the side. My Mom was trying to get me to try taking Vitamin E supplements to strengthen them (and my hair). Might be worth a shot. Also I notice if I keep an emory board handy I can buff down any nicks in them before they get out of hand.

 

[ShannaLAX]

I used to be a bad nail biter. Then, one day, I was really embarrassed at how my hands looked with the raggedy, chewed nails. I started to go for weekly manicures and that did the trick. But that was years ago before this new thing I'm going to suggest.

And, here it is. Go out and, regardless of how short your nails are, get a Gelish or Shellac manicure. This manicure is great because it dries to a hard finish in minutes, so you don't have to sit around the salon waiting for it to dry. When the manicure is over, you can reach right into your pocketbook and pull out your car keys without ruining it! It's so sturdy that it doesn't chip easily and it doesn't peel off. And, it makes your nails feel hard. The polish stays on your nails for about 3 weeks and, once your nails are polished, you might not want to bite them. Go for manicures every 3 weeks and maybe that will work?

When my nails were polished, even when they were short and I'd just do one coat of a super pale pink, I wouldn't want to bite them.

 

[shortbun]

keep them really short, filed and clear polished every day. Mine are long and hard now. My grandmother tried giving me an Annie Oakley outfit complete with gun and holster.
Nothing worked until I got down to business and gave my nails daily attention.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

I was...still am at times...a horrible nail biter. I have found, like other posters, that if my nails are a little longer and are polished, I feel more inclined to not bite them.

I found this nail strengthening stuff at Walgreen's that works for me. It's from Sally Hansen, I usually find it in a clear or green bottle but its also found in an orange one. Its called 5-7 day nail growth. It really fortifies the nail and strengthens. After years of fake nails mine ended up paper thin and it was easy for them to break and tear, and then i would bite. With this stuff, all I do is put it on, a couple times a week, and in days my nails are harder and healthier. Mine have grown better than in the past and I am able to have manicures and keep them looking great. I have short, stubby hands so without nails my hands look rugged.

Its worth a shot, and its not that pricey. Usually under $5.

Good luck!

 

[antmaril]

I am almost 60 years old and I have been biting my nails since I was five! It really is a terrible habit. I have tried to quit a few times over the years, but I can't seem to do it. I think it helps me handle stress. I've given up trying to quit. It's never going to happen.

 

[mom2aandj]

, get a Shellac manicure. .

ITA!!! Shellac manicures are fantastic!! I find that I usually would start biting at a nail because it was ragged or needed some kind of attention. The Shellac really cures that--and your nails are so protected and strong with it on! I have not tried the Gelish because some of the things I've read sound like the removal involves the potential to damage your natural nail bed. I've not experienced that with the Shellac at all. I really urge you to give it a try--it has broken my nail biting habit completely.

 

[buzzrelly]

The Shellac sounds like a good idea but I'm too embarrassed by the way my nails look to go for a manicure! I feel like I need to grown them out a little first! I'm crazy! I know!

 

[susykt4]

I used to be a nailbiter but quit when I got a job as a zookeeper. I would put my fingers to my mouth and realize where my hands had been. I imagine my example probably isn't helpful, but maybe if you can force yourself to think where your hands have been (door handles, public restrooms, changing your kid's diaper, etc.) you will think twice before putting them in your mouth. Instead of biting your nails you will develop a germ complex

 

[mom2aandj]

The Shellac sounds like a good idea but I'm too embarrassed by the way my nails look to go for a manicure! I feel like I need to grown them out a little first! I'm crazy! I know!

no, I totally know how you feel, I've felt the same. But honestly, just go. Pick a salon far away that you never have to see those people again, but go! Trust me, they will have seen hands as bad or worse than yours! Just go!!

 

[ShannaLAX]

I have not tried the Gelish because some of the things I've read sound like the removal involves the potential to damage your natural nail bed.

I don't know what you've read about the Gelish polish removal process but after going through the removal process several times, I've never had any damage to my nails or nail beds. The salon I go to soaks my fingers in this removal solution made by Gelish and the polish lifts right off. Once the polish is off, you wouldn't be able to tell whether I've had Gelish polish removed or just regular nail polish removed. They looked normal and felt strong even after the polish removal.

I go to a spa to have my nails done rather than one of the typical "one on every street corner" nail joints. Maybe my nail place just does things differently than what you've read?

 

[ShannaLAX]

no, I totally know how you feel, I've felt the same. But honestly, just go. Pick a salon far away that you never have to see those people again, but go! Trust me, they will have seen hands as bad or worse than yours! Just go!!

Exactly!!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I was a nail biter, but I stopped at age 18. Why? I was getting married and one of the professional photos we wanted was a close up of my bridal bouquet beside our crossed hands with our wedding rings. I didn't want ugly, bitten nails for that so I stopped. Then I bit them all off again on our honeymoon, then quickly realized how stupid that was and have never bitten them since.

 

[Polyluvr]

I was a nail biter~big time ! Till I started wearing the fake acrylic nails~ it's been 15 years and I haven't looked back.

Good luck

 

[bdcp]

I was a nail biter as a child. When I was 12 I decided I wanted painted pretty fingernails so I quit and grew them and never, ever bit them again. It's like any other habit, you have to decide to quit and just do it.

 

[indimom]

Like the PP, I quit at about 12/13 because I wanted to have pretty nails. I literally sat on my hands in class to keep them away from my face.
It worked and I broke the habit. I also kept my nails manicured and polished at all times.

BUT, I transferred that need to chew and started nipping at the corners of my mouth (inside) when I was nervous or tense. I would get canker sores and it hurt, but I still did it. I finally started chewing gum and managed to cut back at it. But, I still catch myself doing that from time to time when I'm stressed.

 

[Magpie]

I'm a nail biter, and I've tried to quit more times than I can count. Sometimes I'll stop for a few weeks, but then I'll get distracted and before I know it my hands are back in my mouth. It's like having an itch all the time, and trying to force yourself not to scratch it.

However, I've got a nasty cold right now, so I'm not biting because it makes me cough. So does toast, but I'm not giving THAT up!

Maybe this time I'll be able to quit for good, depending on how long this cough lasts!

 

[brasswillow]

I used to be a terrible nail biter (I still can be when I get really stressed out). But two things helped me quit. I got braces, it was virtually impossible to bite my nails. (I guess that's not the most practical solution.) I would also paint nail polish remover over my nails. EW! So bitter, the second my fingers got near my mouth I would stop myself.

 

[minkydog]

I am almost 60 years old and I have been biting my nails since I was five! It really is a terrible habit. I have tried to quit a few times over the years, but I can't seem to do it. I think it helps me handle stress. I've given up trying to quit. It's never going to happen.

I'm right in there with you. I'm 54 and my mother says i started biting my nails when I was 14 months old, when my younger sister was born. Coincidence? Hmmm...

Anyway....I have bitten my nails to the point that there are virtually no nails left. Just exposed nail beds with less than 1/4" of nail on top. My hands look awful and I am well aware that people think it's gross. But biting my nails soothes me. It calms my anxiety and often i'm not even aware that i'm doing it. I'm like you. At this point, i just have to admit that I am never going to stop biting my nails. And I think of it this way--I can continue to beat myself up over it and keep trying (and failing) to quit and use anti-anxiety drugs to help me cope OR I can just bite my nails and get on with life without drugs. Hmmm...there's a dilemma for ya...

 

[antmaril]

-I can continue to beat myself up over it and keep trying (and failing) to quit and use anti-anxiety drugs to help me cope OR I can just bite my nails and get on with life without drugs. Hmmm...there's a dilemma for ya...

My thoughts exactly.