Please help me stop nail biting!

[Tryingtogetitright]

I have bitten my nails for as long as I can remember. Every now and again I manage to stop for an occassion (eg for my wedding). But one snag and I chew them all down again! It takes my nails 6 weeks to grow to the tips of my fingers. I am planning on getting gel polish put on once salons reopen and really want to have a bit of nail before then. Any tips?

I think part of the problem is while I hate the look of them I do secretly enjoy the action of biting them

When I was at school there was a girl with stunning nails. She said she used to bite them. When she was asked how she'd gone from having short and sore bitten nails to those enviable talons she said "I just stopped" with a slight shrug. I thought "Yeah, right" but tried it ... and it worked. Might be worth a try?

Failing which, have you tried putting something on them that tastes horrible? Or having false nails put on top so your own get a chance to grow?

Mine are like yours, the only way I've ever managed in the past was to dose them with one of those nail varnishes that strengthen and help nails grow then apply glue on nails for several weeks, re- dosing them each time I reapply the fakes.

Problem is I start biting again once the fakes are off.

I just did this!

Here's what I found helped:

• I moisturised my hands and nails with cuticle oil/hand butter several times a day. This kept my hands well hydrated and stopped skin drying out/flaking off and becoming a target for nibbling

• I bought several little clippers and nail files and and put them all around the house, so if I did find any nail snags I could reach for clippers and clip/file it neatly off rather than bite at it to 'neaten' it

• I deliberately kept my nails shorter than my fingers so that the length of them did not feel strange (which can happen if you bite them and so are used to them being super short) and attract my attention

• I put a slick of top coat on every day to give the nail some support and to discourage me biting them

• I stopped scraping under my nail to clean it to allow the nail bed to lengthen. More nail bed = less nail to bite, plus the nails look niver

• I gently pushed back my cuticles often when moisterising. This also lengthens the nail bed (so looks nicer) but prevents cuticles getting too long and so being vulnerable to fraying/tearing and thus attracting my attention

Also, I just stopped biting them

I used to. I stopped by having acrylic nails done. If you bite those you'll break your teeth.

Keep nail scissors or clippers and a nail file at hand all the time and get rid of any tempting snag immediately.

Thank you all so much for your replies! I had acrylics once but because my nails are so short they wouldn't stay on for long. But that's why I thought gel polish might help to physically stop me biting. I just need a bit of length to start with. I've never tried glue on nails maybe I should look into those - especially while salons are shut.

When I have had success before I've "just stopped" i just can't seem to get in the mindset at the moment! Have got some horrid tasting stuff and loads of nail oil/handcream etc so have just put them all on my desk to remind me to use them. I just seem to get used to the awful taste....!

Your nails look beautiful Douche! You must be so pleased.

I will muster my will power and start today! Or should that be stop today?!

Thank you again!

I did what @DoverSoul said her friend did. I just looked at them, thought they looked shit and stopped there and then. I do get tempted to bite them if I break one (especially if I'm out and about and don't happen to have a nail file on me – if I'm driving the temptation is worse because you can't drive and file your nails!) But I just try to keep nail files dotted around in handbags, beside the kettle, in my desk drawer, etc and it does help. My husband and eldest kid both bite their nails and the crunch crunch sound it makes drives me mad!

My DH hates the noise - it's even more noticable now we're both WFH together. And my DD (age 3) said she was going to copy me yesterday. That's been the real motivator.

Looks like I need to stock up on nail files!

I used to bite my nails too for years. I didn't even think my nails could grow and hated my hands. 2 years ago I stopped by putting nail strengthener on and always using a file. I since have had the longest and strongest nails I never knew possible. I'm constantly having to file them shorter. I also find manicures helped me alot once I first grew them. Oh and coconut oil every night before bed, makes them grow faster and stronger. Also maybe buy some nuts or sunflower seeds and at night when u are relaxing have to hand so u can keep ur hands busy.

I used to bite my nails from as long as I can remember until some time in my 20s when I read that biting your nails is as germy as licking a toilet seat and that thought alone stopped me doing it. Now the thought of biting my nails repulses me! My nails are rubbish though, they break as soon as they grow to the end of my finger.

I wouldn't suggest fake nails they will just weaken ur nails when u take them off.

Struggling with this for my 12yo DS. Biting liquid only works a little.

I only bite when my nails are naked, so painting them stops me instantly.

@Sunshine3013

I wouldn't suggest fake nails they will just weaken ur nails when u take them off.

Ah, sorry, I didn't know that never having needed them

Sunshine3013
I wouldn't suggest fake nails they will just weaken ur nails when u take them off.

It does, but it gives the nails a chance to grow, and you don't bite them.

I had the acrylic ones done decades ago and it took a few months. I've not bitten them since.

Lots of cuticle butter and also hair nail supplements