Nail biting is a common habit, especially among children. For the most part, biting your nails is not harmful, but it can increase your risk of spreading infection to other parts of your body or to other people. Tricks to try to stop biting your nails include covering your hands, providing yourself with distraction when the urge to bite hits and working toward an incentive that will help you stay on track.
Accessibility
If you cannot access your nails easily, you will not be able to bite them as frequently. Try wearing lightweight cotton gloves to keep your nails hidden and out of reach. If you notice that you unconsciously nibble on your nails while you watch television or at bedtime, be sure to keep your hands covered during these times. The Government of South Australia's Children, Youth and Women's Health Service suggests applying a nail-biting deterrent to your fingertips but points out that this method does not work for everyone. Deterrents are a clear product that you apply with a brush like a nail polish. Active ingredients can include cayenne pepper, denatonium benzoate, a very bitter substance in the same family as pharmaceutical anesthetics and other chemicals that are unappealing to the taste buds. Most drugstores and mass merchandisers carry deterrents of this kind.
Distraction
Some people bite their nails without being aware that they're doing it. Others are fully cognizant of their actions but still cannot resist the temptation. Kidshealth.org suggests the trick of distraction as a way to stop biting your nails. When you notice yourself beginning to bite, stop and wiggle your fingers, sing a song, get up and dance---the distraction itself it not as important as the fact that you are consciously stopping one activity and engaging in something else.
Reward
An incentive program can be an effective method used to break bad habits, though the idea of rewards may be more enticing to children than adults. Think of something you want to do or buy---your choice of reward could be a new outfit, a weekend away or a simple hour of alone time, which may be especially helpful if you bite your nails in response to stress. Remember your incentive and promise yourself you will earn it by not biting your nails for a specified amount of time. Accountability is key for this method to work. If you do not feel that you can be accountable to yourself, ask your spouse or a friend to check on your progress as you work toward your prize.
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