Nail biting help! Please!

[Pkrankow]

No haters please. This is hard enough as it is.

I am 37, and have been biting my nails for no less than 30 years. I don't know when I am doing it. I bite the nails till they fingertips bleed. I chew the skin around the fingernail...

A week ago today I started using a bitterent nail polish
http://www.amazon.com/Bite-Easy-Sto...e=UTF8&qid=1386358086&sr=8-1&keywords=bite+it

This stuff is disgusting. It seems to be working, because I become aware of my fingers entering my mouth. The entire center of my tongue is affected for about 1/2 hour...


Now, I have been pretty good. 7 days. My fingers HURT. The ends of all 10 of them, right at the edge of the nail. Primarily both middle fingers, and the fingers on my right hand. I am at the point I think that I have not gotten past.

How do I stop this discomfort so my fingernails can grow out decently?

Phil

 

[Cricket1]

I'd say keep using the nasty tasting nail polish.

But I also would add that it is most likely a symptom of something else going on in your life. I am not a psychologist, but might recommend seeing a counselor?

 

[dpmtherrien]

Look up a hypnotherapist in your area. As a former hypnotherapist who has worked with many clients for this problem, the results were really good provided the client was motivated to stop the biting.

 

[MrBurns]

But I also would add that it is most likely a symptom of something else going on in your life.

I second this.

Fingernails and skin have very little nutritive value. Try carrots.

 

[Lakebound]

Nail biting like any habit, is simply not that easy to replace with carrots or foods. It is also not necessarily indicative of a person who needs to see a counselor. I would recommend that you continue with the bitter nail treatments and don't give up or become discouraged.

Also, keep a small nail file or board on hand at all times to smooth off rough edges on your nails. Most nail biters have a penchant for making their nails smooth by biting/nibble the rough spots. Regularly lightly sand your nails, even at their shortest and keep using your polish.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

That's what you need to hear right now, YOU CAN.

Frank

 

[August West]

Your nail biting maybe a manifestation of an underlying psychological/physiological issue. Maybe not. Nothing to be ashamed of and you will get no hate from me. If you have the means, i.e. health insurance,private pay, or free counseling, please see a professional therapist/physician for guidance. Fare thee well Phil.

I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST OR PHYSICIAN.

 

[shave/brush]

I too bite my nails and I also pick at my cuticles to the point they are all swollen and tender. I've heard of that bad tasting nail polish but never really thought about trying it until now. After reading your thread I may give it a try myself. It's amazing how much you need finger nails to open so many things today.

 

[Mapster]

good suggestions. I was thinking maybe an oral fixation of some kind. Maybe you "need" to be chewing on something, and your fingers are just handiest. Do you chew pens/pencils/straws as well? I'm no therapist by any stretch, but maybe finding a "healthier" alternative - like maybe sunflower seeds (unsalted) to help keep you off your fingernails until you can arrange an appointment with someone?

Hope you beat this thing! Good luck!

 

[TheBeardedWonder]

Everyone has issues man so no need to be embarrassed. You should talk to you Dr. about this though.

 

[Pkrankow]

I too bite my nails and I also pick at my cuticles to the point they are all swollen and tender. I've heard of that bad tasting nail polish but never really thought about trying it until now. After reading your thread I may give it a try myself. It's amazing how much you need finger nails to open so many things today.

No joke there.

What really pushed me to solve this is my 5yo daughter is chewing her nails to pieces in imitation. She is getting a similar treatment, but glittery pink nail polish is involved too.

This stuff (see OP for link) is just as nasty and foul tasting 3 days after application as 3 hours after application. I have tried a couple other nail polish type products for nail biting and they had no deterrent value after a couple hours. I recognize this might be personal chemistry regarding flavors...

And after 30+ years I think it is ingrained habit more than anything else. I actually do not remember a time growing up I did not bite my fingernails. At least other than when I would try to quit. The last several times I tried to quit, at a week or so of not biting, the discomfort under the leading edge of my fingernails would start, and a moment of chewing would stop the discomfort, and the habit would be back on... I also had less reason to force this habit broken.

The discomfort is better now, I cleaned the nails (fingernail brush and handsoap), and underneath (pick end of a nail file). Quite a lot of dry debris came out from under the worst feeling nail. My right hand has slightly longer nails than my left, and the middle left finger is the only nail with separation at the edge, while the right has the pointer, middle and ring fingers with separation at the edge. The discomfort persists but it is not pain now. Maybe I need a moisturizer? (I just put lotion on, maybe it is that simple... substantial, but not full, relief in minutes.)

Phil

 

[Pkrankow]

OK, I have read to take pictures in a number of places...these are after 7 days of no biting at all.

This might be the first time I am deliberately taking pictures of my fingernails...

(I did smash my pinky using wire cutters today)

Phil

 

[TheBeardedWonder]

Your mouth is full of bacteria so try to stop biting. Go see your Dr. and ask your wife for a mens manicure set for Christmas. Here is one for just under 50 bux.

http://www.zamberg.com/zb/red-coate...se-by-timor-germany-39466_3060_24_1_0_1i.ashx

 

[Toothpick]

I guess I can understand that yes...it could be a sign of something bigger.

I really doubt that anyone here could diagnose the issue based off a simple thread post though.

I've been biting my nails as long as I can remember. I don't bite them to the quick, or bloody or anything.

It's a habit, a bad habit. Like all bad habits it can be broken though. Bear down, stay strong, fight the urge, and stick with the treatment...whatever it may be.

 

[Toothpick]

OK, I have read to take pictures in a number of places...these are after 7 days of no biting at all.

This might be the first time I am deliberately taking pictures of my fingernails...

(I did smash my pinky using wire cutters today)

Phil

Looks pretty healthy to me!

When you let your nails grow to a useable length I think you'll realize just how useful fingernails are. Sometimes mine get somewhat long and I really enjoy being able to pick things up, scratch tickets/stickers off, peel stuff, scratch my itches...it's freaking awesome. and then the urge kicks in and my habit surfaces and next thing I know I'm sliding a dime over to the crack in the floor so I can pick it up.

Let em grow! finger nails are useful!

 

[Lakebound]

For a Man, your nails do not look as bad as you may think. It took a bit of courage for you to post that picture to the world, I commend you for it and for asking for help. It's obviously something important to you or you wouldn't have started the thread.

Keep up the good work, I can remember biting my nails as a youngster myself and I agree that it is simply just an ingrained bad habit that now happens subconsciously. Now that you are conscious of it and you have the desire to stop it, you can.

Keep posting pictures of your progress if it helps. For example, next Friday plan to post a picture. Now you have a goal!

Best of luck, stay the course. You can do it.

Frank

 

[jlmraider]

I was going to suggest dipping your fingertips in vinegar or nail polish remover (as a deterrent). I didn't realize there was already a product with this intended use. When I was a kid growing up I can remember have a bad habit of chewing my nails off. I recognized as a child it was a bad habit and didn't like doing it and eventually stopped. Occasionally I'll pick at my cuticles. They get dry and it's annoying.

Taking good care of my nails and hands usually helps. Keeping them clean, trimmed and using lotion as needed. A nice new men's manicure set would make a nice gift as previously suggested. There are some good lotions "for men" as well as others not specifically marketed towards the ladies(a lotion may not taste great either). As far as the pain/discomfort I was thinking Orajel (it should work topically as well just may take a bit longer) or some other numbing cream.
I'm not convinced that there's a deeper underlying issue as suggested (I'm no professional though) but rather just a long time habit. I would think that with enough motivation and a little will power and your nails will be nice and healthy.

Best of luck to you, you can do it.

 

[JDavid]

I can say I kicked this habit!!! One day, I looked down and noticed that on three of my fingers (last three on my left hand) had grown out a little and they looked good! I was like, "So THAT'S how those are supposed to look!" I started being overly concerned with how my fingers looked, based on the three "good" ones. I started filing the ones that were bitten off (they grow faster) and ever since I started playing guitar, I am overly cautious about how my hands look. I've gone from one extreme to the next...

 

[oc_in_fw]

good suggestions. I was thinking maybe an oral fixation of some kind. Maybe you "need" to be chewing on something, and your fingers are just handiest. Do you chew pens/pencils/straws as well? I'm no therapist by any stretch, but maybe finding a "healthier" alternative - like maybe sunflower seeds (unsalted) to help keep you off your fingernails until you can arrange an appointment with someone?

Hope you beat this thing! Good luck!

I am a nail chewer too, and used to chew pens. Of course, now I use fountain pens so that is out of the question.

No joke there.

What really pushed me to solve this is my 5yo daughter is chewing her nails to pieces in imitation. She is getting a similar treatment, but glittery pink nail polish is involved too.

This stuff (see OP for link) is just as nasty and foul tasting 3 days after application as 3 hours after application. I have tried a couple other nail polish type products for nail biting and they had no deterrent value after a couple hours. I recognize this might be personal chemistry regarding flavors...

And after 30+ years I think it is ingrained habit more than anything else. I actually do not remember a time growing up I did not bite my fingernails. At least other than when I would try to quit. The last several times I tried to quit, at a week or so of not biting, the discomfort under the leading edge of my fingernails would start, and a moment of chewing would stop the discomfort, and the habit would be back on... I also had less reason to force this habit broken.

The discomfort is better now, I cleaned the nails (fingernail brush and handsoap), and underneath (pick end of a nail file). Quite a lot of dry debris came out from under the worst feeling nail. My right hand has slightly longer nails than my left, and the middle left finger is the only nail with separation at the edge, while the right has the pointer, middle and ring fingers with separation at the edge. The discomfort persists but it is not pain now. Maybe I need a moisturizer? (I just put lotion on, maybe it is that simple... substantial, but not full, relief in minutes.)

Phil

I have been doing since I can remember. What are you using? I want to stop because it looks awful. If a picture is being snapped, I am always subconscious about making sure my nails are visible, and I am tired of it.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I'm sliding a dime over to the crack in the floor so I can pick it up.

Let em grow! finger nails are useful!

Story of my life.

 

[Pkrankow]

I linked to the product in the OP. "Bite It". I got it at a CVS pharmacy locally though.

I know about being self conscious of finger nails in the pictures. I have done some restoration work here and have been very careful on how I hold the item that my fingernails don't show in the pictures. This holds true for so many other things.

The extremely painful discomfort has stopped with cleaning and moisturizing lotion, but there is still some discomfort. I think I will just have to get used to the feeling of having fingernail after a while.

I talked to my Mom, she says she doesn't remember ever NOT biting her nails as a child, and went through great efforts to kick the habit as an adult. She admits to biting her nails at times still.

Phil