How To Stop Biting Your Nails

Ranked #804 in Healthy Living, #16,312 overall

You can do it...

I don't know when I began to bite my nails, but it had to be when I was still a little girl. I can remember my Dad promising me a quarter if he saw any growth what-so-ever and it worked... on and off. I still have this nibbling issue whenever I get nervous but there is one nail that I can't seem to completely stop biting. It's the thumbnail on my left hand. If I'm going to turn my attention anywhere, it will be to that poor nail.

So, it seems that you can stop biting your nails to some degree, but it's always present in your life. I hope that some of you will leave comments on how you managed to quit or the little stories that you remember. Maybe together we can kick it permanently. :)

Photo Credit: Amazon (just in case you need a little reminding not to nibble lol.

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How To Stop Biting Your Nails... Style Advice from A Year of Style

Actually, the best way to do something is to have as much fun doing it as you possibly can. Whatever your intention... do one little thing each and every day and by the end of the year, you have learned/accomplished so much. And to your amazement, you will suddenly find people that are turning to your for advice or hints about the latest trends! I certainly don't know everything there is to know on the topic, but what I do know, I'm more than willing to share.

Oddly enough I think that I have the most fun looking for the latest info. For some reason, I find research fascinating. It takes a lot of work, but you just never know what you are going to find once you go looking. And the more it's buried, the better I like it!!

You simply need to know where to look lol! I hope that you join me on a regular basis. I have lots to share... and I'm just getting started! Here's to letting our nails grow... in a safe, easy and healthy way!

Curing Nail Biting... This Just Might Do It!

I think having all the right tools goes a long way to stop you from nibbling.

Revlon RVSP3506B1 11-piece Manicure/pedicure Set

nails inc. Magnetic Polish Trafalgar Square 0.33 oz

nails inc. Wave Magnetic Polish Trafalgar Square 0.33 oz

Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Worth a try don't you think! I wonder what is next on the horizon?

Now You Might Not Feel So Bad

Marilyn Monroe Sitting Biting Nails 38x53 Giant Poster

Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Apparently, we aren't the only one biting our nails.

Why do you bite your nails??

No one WANTS to bite their nails and there are a lot of triggers that can set someone off. The trick is to learn what your triggers are and be ready for them.

Today... it's the dentist. I'm going through Root Canal and my canals are co-operating which is really dragging out the visits. I'm surprised that I have any fingernails left... but I'm not doing too badly considering.

As I mentioned earlier, one of my triggers is a ragged edge. It simply drives me nuts and if there isn't an emery board handy, I will use my teeth... disgusting I know. That is why emery boards are sooo important to have on hand.

Another one of my triggers is anxiety. If I get nervous about something, the first thing I do is start nibbling. But knowing that I have that tendency puts me ahead in the game. I use deep breathing techniques to try to settle the anxiety. If I can push that out of my mind, my nails stand a chance.

One more visit and I still have nails!! The end is in sight!

Use a Bandage

I have often used this little trick. I have one nail in particular that seems to take the most punishment, so if I'm trying to grow it out, I will wrap a bandage around it and replace it every couple of days. Having to chew through a bandage will pretty much stop you in your tracks!

Photo Credit: Amazon

How to break a bad habit

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We let her hang onto this bad habit for way too long, but fear of withdrawal repercussions kept us from working on it earlier. That bad habit was easier to just ignore. Eventually a breaking point will come when it is time to buckle down and get to ...
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How many times have you made up your mind to become a better leader, role model, or general all around better person by breaking a habit you know isn't working for you, only to find yourself kicking yourself a few weeks or months later for not having ...

Stop The Urge

I find that if I have a rough edge on one of my nails, I will nibble on the edge, hoping to get rid of the problem area, but you know what happens... you end up chewing the entire nail off. Problem solved but the nail has been reduced to nothing and you have started the entire cycle again. The answer... emery boards and lots of them in every room of the house.

Every room of the house you might be asking? This is not even negotiable. If you have to go looking for an emery board, chances are, you won't bother. If there is an emery board handy, you will use it.

Clippers and Scissors

I find these particularly effective for those horrid hangnails!

Stainless Steel Safety Scissors

Stainless Steel Safety Scissors

Precision German craftsmanship and stainless steel more...0 points

Hospitals Choice Steady Grip Nail Clipper

Hospitals Choice Steady Grip Nail Clipper

Child-Proofing Safety First Hospitals Choice produ more...0 points

Nail Clipper with Light

Nail Clipper with Light

Lighted Nail Clipper: Shows just where to trim. Trim more...0 points

A Little Style Help From... A Year of Style

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How to Have Strong Healthy Nails

How to Have Strong Healthy Nails
by TipsNet | video info

93 ratings | 51,242 views
curated content from YouTube

Men Do It Too!

It's not just women who bite their nails! Men have the same problem and when their nails are bitten down to the "quick" it isn't a pretty sight. But to be fair, it's just as unsightly for women. You can be dressed to the nines, but one look at your hands and if your nails are non-existant or badly bitten, the effect has pretty much been ruined. It goes both ways!

I was talking about triggers earlier and men can have just as many, and lots of the little tricks apply to both sexes. But there are a few extras to point out when it comes to men. My husband for example.

1. It wouldn't occur to him to use a hand cream unless they were starting to hurt. It would just never occur to him. He gives new meaning to the word "workaholic".

2. He also wouldn't think of using sunblock on his hands. It's hard enough making him wear it on his face and neck!

3. And during the winter... putting on a pair of gloves. Forget it unless he's shoveling snow. Just isn't a big deal with him.

But if he got into the habit of doing all of the above, his hands just might be in better shape than what they are at present. He doesn't bite his nails, but bites the skin around the nails. Strangely enough it's a heredity thing. His father does the same thing. We simply have to find the same little tricks to make him stop. Hopefully having nice looking hands on a regular basis, just might point him in the right direction.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Emery Boards (Spiffer)

Spiffer City Style Spiffer Manicure Pens with Nail File, Cuticle Pusher, Nail Cleaner and Writing Pen NV1357

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

I was sent a few of these to review and I have to admit, they are really quite handy to keep in your handbag. You have a pen and an emery board whenever you need it.

Woman Painting Her Nails

Pretty Hands as a Deterrent (For Women)

If your hands are soft and pretty, are you really going to want to ruin the effect by chewing on a nail? Okay, we talked about triggers and they are always going to be there, but if you look down and your hands are looking pretty darn good, it just might be enough to make you think twice. The trick is to keep them looking... soft and pretty.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Feels Sooooooo Good

Have you ever experienced a hand massage?? There is nothing quite like it and if you happen to have a husband who isn't into the hand lotion thing, this is a good way to earn some browning points and work some much needed hand lotion into his skin.

And don't worry about not knowing how to do it. Just put some lotion into the palm of your hand, pick up a little between your fingers and start working it in... pretty much anywhere on his hands. That's about it.

Word of warning here. He's going to love it so much that he's going to ask for a hand massage all the time but you can always reciprocate. ;) Fairs fair!

Photo Credit: Amazon

Use Polish

I have found that if I keep a soft color of polish on my nails, I am less likely to nibble on an edge. The reason? They are just starting to look pretty and I don't want to ruin the look. Call it vanity!

*Slowing Down

As you age, nails begin to slow down just how fast they can grow. That obviously explains why as a teen, your nails seem to grow with little effort from you.

Cocktail Manicure Set

Cocktail Manicure Set

Amazon Price: $5.57 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Just plain cute!

Today's Poll

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Nail Polish on eBay

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Count It Down

Keep a calendar handy and put an X through every day that you did not nibble. Biting your nails is just a habit and if I can kick smoking, I can stop nibbling. With smoking (and I can't believe that I ever SMOKED) it was all about getting another day without a cigarette. And when I got to the point of having 30 days with a cigarette, there was no way that I was going to ruin my stretch and then have to start all over again. The same should work with biting your nails!

Today's Quick Tip

Have you ever tried that liquid that tastes absolutely horrible?? You paint it on your nails and the minute you begin to nibble, you are reminded of your habit... really quickly!!

They Really Don't Know For Sure

I was just reading that experts don't really know why people bite their nails. It could be as severe due to a medical condition to simple boredom! It's strange that with a condition that is that common, that experts still don't know.

I think that with a lot of us, it is simply the fact that we find ourselves with a snag and we don't have an emery board or clippers handy. So... we simply bite it off. Bad habit!

One Necessity... Emery Boards

Emery Board 2007 II Leopard Design 1 ea. by Paul & Joe

Paul & Joe Paul & Joe Beaute Emery Board 2007 II

Amazon Price: $5.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Perfect for summer! And can you ever have too many??

Floral Emery Boards

Could not locate item B0040UM96E. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Looney Tunes Tweety Emery Board

Tweety Emery Board

Amazon Price: $3.78 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Flower Power Surfboard Emery Board

Flower Power Hawaii Surfboard Emery Board

Amazon Price: $2.39 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

A Little Flower Power For Your Nails

Hot Focus Seven Days Nail Polish Cache

Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

YouTube

Nail Care : How to Stop Nail Biting Forever & Keep Track Here as it Happens
by eHow | video info

150 ratings | 84,594 views
automatically generated by YouTube

This Just Might Help

I went looking today on the latest news on the topic and found some interesting articles. Take a look!
A Nail Biting Story
It's all about stress... for me too! If I'm going to lose a nail it's because something stressed me out!!
Got a Bad Habit... your Smart Phone Can Cure Your Vices
Now this is interesting... I didn't know about this app!
Help Me Stop Biting My Nails
I like some of these ideas. It always helps when it is pointed out to you!

Did you ever bite your nails??

  • Cari_Kay Jun 2, 2012 @ 9:59 am | delete
    Not sure how I finally quit but I did. Like you, I didn't like any rough edges and would just start biting them down. Now, I'll just clip them or just pull it off if it has cracked.
  • Winter52 Jun 2, 2012 @ 10:44 am | delete
    A pair of clippers... my best friend these days. Thanks for stopping by :)
  • Othercat May 27, 2012 @ 12:29 pm | delete
    I used to bite my nails to the point where they would bleed and get infected. I quit by using nail polish and getting manicures. Once they were so pretty, I just didn't have the heart to mess them up!
  • Winter52 May 27, 2012 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    I think that just might be the key. If your nails look pretty, you want to keep them that way! :)
  • aishu19 May 27, 2012 @ 12:10 pm | delete
    I did use to do them but managed to stop now. Now I am just hoping my kid doesnt bite his nails
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Just a Little Reminder Not to Bite Your Nails

Colorful Lavender Nail Polish Bottles Mousepad

Colorful Lavender Nail Polish Bottles Mousepad

Nail Polish Mouse Pad

Nail Polish Mouse Pad

Designer Fingernails Mouse Pad

Designer Fingernails Mouse Pad

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Winter52

Hello world.

As you can see below... I have about a zillion and one different interests and you just never know what is going to pop up next. For that...
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Zeva No Bite - Stop Nail Biting Formula - Nail Treatment Polish - .5 Fl Oz / 15 Ml. (Includes a Special Zeva Buffing File to Smo 

Seki Edge Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper 

Seki Edge Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper

Amazon Price: $14.39 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

This is almost as necessary as emery boards! And, it's a whole lot faster!

What to Do When Bad Habits Take Hold: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Nail Biting and More (What to Do Guides for Kids) 

What to Do When Bad Habits Take Hold: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Nail Biting and More (What to Do Guides for Kids)

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Sometimes the solution comes in the way of a book. It plants a seed in the mind and it begins to grow!