Nail Biting

Stop Nail Biting



In both adults and children, nail biting is a common habit, sometimes stemming from insecurity, boredom, anxiety or excitement. Excessive nail biting results in very weak nails and, in extreme cases, damaged fingers caused by chewing the nail down to the quick — the sensitive skin beneath the nail.

There is no guaranteed cure for nail biting.

In the book The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women Dr. Frances Willson, a clinical psychologist, suggests nail paint, available at some chemists, to make your nails taste bad.

“When not in public, wear cotton gloves. That way, you can’t get at your nails,” says Dr. Willson. “Or buy a box of adhesive strips. Wearing an adhesive bandage around the tip of each finger can also act as a deterrent to nail biting.”

Another possible solution, according to the South African Family Medical Adviser, is to find something that occupies your hands when they are idle — a creative hobby such as building model airplanes, painting, knitting or sewing.

With a girl who bites her nails it can be a good idea to appeal to her vanity. Give her a manicure set to make her “nail conscious.”

Standard advice says it takes seven to ten days to break a habit. So give it some time — and encourage yourself.

“When it comes to breaking this habit, I believe that encouragement works better than punishment,” says Dr. Willson. “For many women who bite their nails, a manicure is very encouraging.”