Any ideas of how I could stop biting my nails?

I know how to lose weight but my fingernails give away all the stress in my life. I would really like to break the habit, if you have any suggestions.

Sat. Dec 17, 4:10pm

carry a nail file with you, instead of biting your nails file them. Chew gum. This is a hard one for me too, because when I am stressed I usaly bite my nails.

Saturday, December 17, 2005, 6:12 PM

A woman I admire very much is now a prominent state politician from a small town. She was making a presentation to our group of women once and told us something very personal. She was a nail biter, but when she started the public life she *could not* bite her nails. She said that she goes to a nail place and has fake nails now. Her nails are painted bright red and they are BEAUTIFUL! Good luck!

Saturday, December 17, 2005, 8:58 PM

confessions of an on and off nail biter

I have bitten since I was about 6. I chewed one off, the white part, then was so scared that it would not be the same again... then when I realized what a great little renewable resource it was, I was hooked.
My mother tried that bitter stuff... like nail polish. I got a finger infection from biting off a hangnail in 4th grade... shots, that did not do it either. I would try and groom them and buff them, that helped. Having an occasion that I wanted nails for like prom helped.
I find that once I get to the length where the nail is just over the edge of the finger they get way too delicious and find their way into my mouth. SO my new tactic is to cut them down to nearly the quick. THere is still white left but not enough to chew. I know better now to nibble as much or more than my fingers have available. SO I seem to stop trying to bite if they are short. When I get nibbly I plan to cut them down again immediately when I realize it. SO- it will become habit not to bite them...and as long as they grow and I am not teething them... I won't cut them down. That's my new plan...

Saturday, December 17, 2005, 10:06 PM

I think the file idea is a good one. But when I'm highly stressed, I just cannot do away without biting. Its sad, but I cant help it. Sometimes I even bite when I'm trying to go to sleep at night !! Is this a bad sign ?

Sunday, December 18, 2005, 12:22 AM

sleep technique

Hi!
Try and do something else when you find yourself nibbling in bed... it has always helped me to try and jumble the letters of sleep... plsee, lespe, peels. you are thinking of the word sleep and before you know it, yer out...

Sunday, December 18, 2005, 8:40 AM

I started getting my nails professionally done and that kept me from biting them but as soon as I got them taken off I was right back at it. I found that if I keep them polished I tend to not bite them. But I totally reccomend getting them done, they will look beauitiful but it can be expensive let us know how you are doing!

Monday, December 19, 2005, 12:09 PM

I work for a nail product manufacturer and know there are alot of products out there that you apply to your nails that have a discusing or bitter taste. They are made specifically for this problem so they are tested and won't kill you with toxins. One specifically is called Bite stop. If you go into your local beauty store I'm sure they have a form of this. Hope this helps.

Monday, December 19, 2005, 2:55 PM

Watch shows like CSI -- the last thing you'll ever want to do after learning what "epithelials" are is eat your nails (or sit on a hotel bedspread for that matter).

Before that, I had a lot of success avoiding my fingertip snacks by getting my nails professionally done. Nail polish tastes nasty. Fake nails worked too.

Monday, December 19, 2005, 5:43 PM

I used to suck on the tip of my finger incessantly. Finally I stopped, but nothing worked except to be aware of what I was doing and forcing myself to pull my finger away from my mouth. Really just a few weeks makes the biggest difference, but you have to be vigilant and have lots of willpower.

I quit smoking cold turkey too (10 years ago) - crushed the remainder of my pack and never looked back. I had tried other methods, because cold turkey always seemed so 'drastic', but that's the only way that worked for me.

Your strategy will have to fit who you are - with me it's apparently all or nothing, so god luck and keep us updated!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005, 4:11 PM

One of my best friends is a nail biter, AND works with paper all of the time (which contributes to dryness and doesn't do anything to make the hands look any better.)

Like others here have posted, she started getting her nails done at a salon as well as carrying around lotion.

Every time I see her with her "nice" nails, I give her positive reinforcement by commenting on how nice they look. It makes her feel better... Basically, she decided that enough was enough and started making the conscious decision to remove her hand from her mouth when she would start to bite.

Her hands look a lot lovelier, and she is more self-confident as well!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005, 11:43 AM

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