How To Stop Biting Finger Nails

Biting your nails may seem like a harmless habit, but take a moment to think of all the germs and bacteria you transfer from your fingers to your mouth, notes the MayoClinic.com dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson. It's best to stop biting your nails to stop the spread of illness and infection. If you've tried to stop biting and haven't had much luck, you may need some added techniques to remind you to stop biting and focus on something else.

Step 1

Paint your nails or visit the nail salon for a pricey manicure. Having your nails painted serves two purposes. The first is that after spending money on fancy nails, you'll likely be more aware of how biting ruins the manicure. The second is that the bright nail polish on your colored nails can serve as a reminder to refrain from biting. Adding a glossy topcoat can also change the texture of your nails so they are less enticing.

Step 2

Apply a bitter polish over your bare nails or on top of your nail polish, suggests KidsHealth.org ,a division of the Nemours Foundation. A bitter polish can be purchased in drugstores and beauty supply shops. It has an unpleasant, bitter taste so that when you go to bite your nails, the bitter taste discourages you from continuing. Just be sure to reapply often, as your saliva can weaken the taste.

Step 3

Wear gloves over your hands when doing things that might weaken your nails, like washing dishes. Weak nails are prone to chipping and peeling. When you're chewing your nails, you're likely to start by peeling away a damaged nail with your teeth. Gloves can also make your nails inaccessible so you don't have a chance to bite them.

Step 4

File your nails down so they are only as long as the tops of your fingers, Trisha Webster, a hand model with the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency suggests to MotherNature.com. When your nails are long, they can bend and break and become more inviting to chew. Shorter nails are typically stronger than longer nails, so keep an emery board in your handbag and keep them well filed.

Step 5

Distract yourself when you feel the urge to chew your nails. Pop in a piece of chewing gum so your mouth is occupied, sit on your hands, type an email or do a puzzle. Just make sure that your hands and mouth are occupied so chewing your nails seems less tempting.