Ten Tips to Break the Nail Biting Habit

Aug 29, 2011
Wendy A.M. Prosser

Keep Your Hands Occupied - Photograph by Mary R. Vogt

Nail biting is an unconscious habit made worse by stress and anxiety. Like all bad habits, it can be hard to beat, but these hints may help.

Nail biting is a common habit in people of all ages. It causes painful hangnails and can damage the cuticle, leading to a risk of infection in the base of the nail. In children, who may not wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet, nail biting is a factor in persistent pinworm infections, and chewing of broken pieces of nail can scratch the gums. Like all bad habits, the compulsion to bite the nails is hard to overcome.

The most important step of all is to make a positive decision to change your behaviour. If you are not committed to breaking your nail biting habit, you are unlikely to succeed.
Do you tend to bite your nails when your hands are idle – while watching television, for example? Try occupying them with sewing or knitting, wear gloves, or invest in a stress ball or putty.
Beat the temptation to bite your nails by keeping them short and neat.
Don’t let rough edges or broken tips tempt you to chew. Carry a nail file wherever you go to smooth away splinters and chips as soon as they occur.
Nail biting can cause hangnails, and biting off hangnails can proceed to nail biting. Break this vicious circle by trimming hangnails with your cuticle scissors rather than your teeth.
A coat of nail polish can discourage nail biting in three ways – as an aversion therapy (it feels unpleasant in the mouth), by making the nails harder to bite, and because nails that look more attractive may be less likely to be bitten.
Anti-nail biting products are painted onto the nails like polish or rubbed in like a cream, but release a bitter taste when chewed. They are available from pharmacies and can help prevent unconscious nail biting. Avoid brands containing acetone, which can cause splitting and flaking. Instead, look for products with vitamins to strengthen the nails and conditioners for the cuticles.
Hypnotherapy can be an effective tool in stopping nail biting. A qualified hypnotherapist should be able to advise you on the possible treatments, or you may prefer to try a self-help programme downloaded from the Internet.
If you really cannot resist the urge to chew, keep the damage to a minimum by biting one nail instead of all ten.
As your nails begin to look better, treat yourself to a professional or home manicure to reward – and reinforce – your good behaviour.

Nail biting is a tough habit to break, but with willpower and a positive attitude you can soon have healthy nails to be proud of.