Nail biting is a nasty habit, usually brought about by stress and sometimes boredom. Your nails are always growing and will eventually grow back, so long-term damage isn't a concern. This bad habit can be the problem of men women and children, though it tends to be a bigger problem for men who don't worry about the appearance of their nails as much as women tend to. Because hiding your nails under layers of pretty nail polish or fake nails isn't an option, there's a few less noticeable methods that can put an end to nail biting.
Step 1
Trim nails regularly to give you less to chew on. File them down with an emery board to smooth them out into a rounded shape, as sharp corners from simply cutting them straight across can be tempting to bite.
Step 2
Apply a topical solution to your nails that gives them an unpleasant taste, making them less appealing to chew on. You can buy special formulas of clear nail polish and creams at your beauty supply stores or drugstores that come with an intentionally terrible flavor to make you more aware and less apt to chew on your nails. If you don't want to buy commercial products, soaking your nails for a few minutes in lemon juice or hot sauce can have the same discouraging effect.
Step 3
Wear gloves over your hands, whenever feasible, to put a barrier between your teeth and your nails. This will at least make you think twice about biting your nails, preventing you from doing it subconsciously. If you don't have gloves, or the weather is too warm for this to be a good idea, cover each nail with bandages or tape.
Step 4
Keep your mouth busy by chewing on gum or sucking on mints. If your mouth is busy, you may not chew on your nails.
Step 5
Doodle on a piece of paper or keep a small ball on hand to squeeze. Keep your hands busy, especially during idle time when you aren't doing anything. If you catch yourself about to bite your nails, grab a hold of an armrest or even your knee and wait out the urge. Don't let your hand go near your face.
Tips and Warnings
- If nothing seems to help and nail biting is such a severe problem that you can't quit on your own, consult with a doctor or mental health professional to determine the cause and find a solution.
Things You'll Need
- Nail clippers
- Emery board
- Clear bitter nail polish
- Lemon juice
- Hot sauce
- Gloves
- Bandages
- Tape
- Gum or mints
- Small ball
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