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Original poster

Please help cure me from chewing my fingers!!!

46 replies

TruffleHeart · 27/12/2020 21:33

I have a horrible habit of picking the skin off the sides of my fingers, then chewing it.

I make my fingers bleed, and I often have to put germolene on them at night to stop them hurting. I've recently realised I've ground down my front teeth from all the chewing..!

I've had this habit my whole life pretty much. I've tried that nail-bite lotion stuff, but it doesn't work - I just chew past the taste. The only times I've ever managed to stop completely is when I've been travelling in countries with less sanitary conditions, which persuades me not to put my fingers in my mouth due to germs - and also when I've been in hospital, for the same reason of avoiding germs.

I had actually hoped that COVID would put me off, as I don't want to put my fingers in my mouth. But I've realised that it doesn't really apply when I'm at home and I know my hands are clean!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cure?!?

OP posts:
SwanShaped · 28/12/2020 08:11

Gloves in the car sounds a good idea.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 28/12/2020 09:52

I do this too or did, i do it less since one got really infected, my finger swelled to twice its size went really yellow then green, so so painful i cried for two days. GP couldn't do anything as it needed surgical conditions to drain it, hospital job in the end and i have numbness and a massive scar to show for it... not worth it so when i get the compulsion i have to try very very hard to resist.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 28/12/2020 09:52

Google paranychia and felon

Trinacham · 28/12/2020 10:02

I don't have any advice other than what has been suggested already but didn't want to read and run. I have the same habit. I'd really like pretty nails and skin but I just chew both. I've managed to stop once, and it was for our wedding day. I was motivated to have nice nails for the photos and managed it! I too find that just painting them stops me, for a while. But I do find myself back to square one! They get soo sore. Other people cannot understand why I can't just stop.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/12/2020 10:04

Having to wear a mask has helped loads! Also having a manicure
Helps as I don't want to ruin what I've paid money for.

Soutiner · 28/12/2020 10:25

I thought I made another comment on your post yesterday but it’s either been removed or I didn’t notice it hadn’t uploaded.

It was a link to a YouTube video on hypnosis/hypnotherapy about stopping nail biting and the comments were positive.

Have a search and there are lots of self help hypnosis videos.

Itsnotalwaysme · 28/12/2020 10:25

I don't know how to stop but when it gets really sore and it's making it difficult to fall asleep I put sellotape over my fingertips, the pressure on the fingers helps and the tape stops any rough parts 'catching' and making you want to bit it again to smooth it. (I hope that makes sense)

Original poster
TruffleHeart · 28/12/2020 10:54

I can recommend Germolene for when they're sore and preventing you from sleeping. It has a mild anaesthetic in it so it does dull the pain. Savlon does not.

I've also tried putting surgical tape over them but that just makes them go all peely once i take it off, which makes it worse!

I'll look at those Hypnotherapy videos, thank you @Soutiner

OP posts:
PsychoSyd · 28/12/2020 11:34

I've done this all my life & find I get worse when I'm either stressed or my hands are dry.

I haven't stopped entirely, but what did help was making sure I used hand cream every single time after I'd washed my hands (I've been through gallons of the stuff this year! 🤣). I've also started using one of those Tangle fidget toys for when I'm stressed or sitting in boring meetings 🤣

Randomrebel · 28/12/2020 12:37

I am a long term nail biter and skin picker.

False nails helped drastically but only while I had them on but almost as soon as they were removed I went back to square one. Nail varnish or gel nails didn’t work for me as I also enjoyed picking them off.

On holiday abroad my nails usually grow due to the sun, water and fear of germs.

I am thinking of getting some of the gloves mentioned on here.

ArthurShelbysTash · 28/12/2020 13:00

Do you know what doesn't help? DP shouting "stop picking!".
Doesn't help a bit. In fact, makes me do it just to piss him off.
I have cuticle cream in every room and have been rubbing that in loads. Sometimes helps.

Bigsighall · 28/12/2020 13:16

Look at them under a powerful microscope... bleugh!!

BessMarvin · 28/12/2020 13:25

I do this and I hate it. But at the time it is so satisfying! The problem is your fingers are always there. Not like some habits where you have to actually make a bit of an effort to do whatever it is.

pursuedbyablackdog · 28/12/2020 13:31

Sorry if it's already been said, but could you put plasters over them. Keep them on for three weeks (obvs take plasters off before you go to bed providing you don't do this in your sleep) but then reapply them in the morning. It takes three weeks to break a habit.

Diddlysquatty · 28/12/2020 23:45

Dd12 also does this a lot and I do tell her not to then I generally get a glare. Any ideas of how to help her gratefully received, or will she only stop when she wants to

DeftandGlory · 29/12/2020 00:15

Short nails with dark nail gel (dark navy looked the best) saved mine.

Not had it done for 4 months and the habit is slowly coming back. But that’s what worked for me. Loved my cool, neat nails.

Justvisitingthisplanet · 29/12/2020 19:03

I've always bitten my nails or the skin around them. When I went abroad to a country without clean water I was worried about picking up parasites so that inhibited me a bit. I also had my nails done nicely before I went for the double motive of keeping them pretty.

CoffeeChocolateWine · 29/12/2020 19:11

I’ve been a nail biter and finger chewer my whole life (I’m 42), but in the past 4 months I’ve stopped. It remains to be seen whether it will be permanent or not! The answer for me has been fidget toys. My son is addicted to fidget toys so has a wide range to choose from. When I’m watching TV (this is when I usually start biting) I always have a fidget toy now. I’ve realised that for me it’s not about anxiety or worry any more like it was when I was little...it’s just a lifelong habit and a need to do something with my hands or fingers. So instead of biting, I fidget! I also find that when my fingers looks nicer, I’m less inclined to bite so I always have clear nail polish on.

CoffeeChocolateWine · 29/12/2020 19:17

Also, I saw upthread someone said it takes three weeks to break a habit. It took FAR longer for me and I wouldn’t say I’ve broken the habit yet and that’s after 4 months. I still put my fingers in my mouth without thinking about it...but I notice quicker now and don’t bite. I just reach for my fidget toy instead.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 30/12/2020 03:03

I've tried painting nails which only works for a short time I've tried gloves which works to an extent as I use compression gloves which gives me the feeling of some pressure but without being able to access majority of the skin underneath the gloves I liberally apply hand cream underneath .

in relation to that need to chew as was recommended by my occupational therapist - piece of chewlery which looks like normal jewellery but you can chew it loads with no indentations or marks left

And also a previous poster mentioned using fidget toys to occupy your hands

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