How To Get Rid Of Nail Biting?
Do you bite your nails every time you are stressed or
anxious? This troublesome habit can not only damage your nails and teeth but
also make you prone to infection as the bacteria and viruses can pass from your
nails to your mouth and face.
Why do people bite their nails? What can be done to stop
this habit? Keep reading to find out.
Why Is It Bad To Bite Your Nails?
Here are the main reasons you should stop biting your nails:
It Can Make Your Nails Grow Back Abnormally
Your nails can lose their shape on being bitten, giving
them an unkempt look.
It Can Spoil Your Smile
There is a risk of chipping, cracking, or breaking your
teeth while biting your nails. Over time, nail biting can also cause problems
with your jaw.
It Can Trigger Diseases
Your hands are no less than a hotbed for germs. These germs
can remain perfectly hidden in your nails. When you bite your nails, these
germs can enter your body and increase your risk of getting sick.
Social Embarrassment
Nail biting can also cause restriction in social behaviors
or behaviors that may need to be done in the presence of others, like drawing
and writing.
Damages Nails And Surrounding Tissues.
It can increase the risk of an ingrown nail and also damage
the surrounding tissues.
Can Lead To Gum Injuries
It can also lead to teeth root damage, oral infections, and
oral injuries due to the risk of scraping.
What Causes You To Bite Your Nails?
Nail biting could be a sign of an underlying health
condition. Temporary nail biting is relatively non-destructive. However, it can
also develop into a long-term problem.
Uncontrollable nail biting that goes on to damage the nails
and its surrounding tissues is considered a grooming disorder. It is often
termed as onychophagia or onychophagy. This condition is classified as “an
obsessive-compulsive and related disorder”.
Other possible causes of nail biting are:
The parents of the affected individual have also had a
similar habit of nail biting
- Emotional or mental stress
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Boredom
- Hunger
- Insecurity
In children, most cases of nail biting are a result of
anxiety or boredom. Some children also tend to find this habit quite soothing.
As you have seen, a number of factors could be triggering
the habit of nail biting. If you are a chronic nail biter, and this habit has
begun damaging your nails, it is recommended that you seek medical help to
identify the underlying cause of your condition.
If you are among those individuals who find themselves
biting their nails during times of stress or anxiety and want to put a stop to
it, here are a few tricks that may help.
How To Stop Biting Nails
1. Keep Your Nails Short
Cutting your nails short and keeping them neat is one of
the best ways to prevent nail biting. When you don’t have anything to chew on,
you will kick the habit eventually.
2. Get Your Manicure Game On
Pamper yourself and get a nice manicure done. Manicures can
make your hands as well as nails look attractive. You will be less likely to
bite your nails as you don’t want to ruin the manicure.
3. Keep A Check On The Triggers
Find out what triggers you to bite your nails. Do you bite
your nails when you are bored? Or is it plain anxiety? Studies have shown that
people resort to nail biting when they are bored, hungry, nervous, or stressed.
Identify the trigger and find ways to deal with it to stop biting your nails.
4. Use Gloves Or Nail Stickers
Another way to stop yourself from biting your nails is to
use a pair of gloves or nail stickers. While this may sound silly, if your
mouth can’t find your nails, it will be far less tempted to bite them.
5. Keep Them Busy
Yes, keeping your hands and mouth busy might do the trick.
Every time you find yourself tempted to bite your nails, get hold of a stress ball
or chew gum. You will not be able to bite your nails if your hands and/or mouth
are already preoccupied!
6. Use Bitter Nail Polish
The application of bitter-tasting nail polish is an age-old
trick to prevent nail biting.
7. Try The Gradual Approach
You cannot stop biting your nails overnight. It is a
gradual process. Stop biting one fingernail at a time, say your thumbnail, and
then extend it to the other fingers, one by one, until you stop biting all
nails gradually.
Try any or a combination of the above tips to see which one
works the best for you. Do you know of any other tips and hacks that can help
one stop biting their nails? Share your tips and feedback with us in the
comments section below.
FAQs About Nail Bitting
Is biting your nails a mental disorder?
According to the 5th Edition of Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, long-term nail biting habit or onychophagia is
classified as “an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder.” However, nail
biting can also be a temporary habit.
How long does it take to break a habit?
It may take about 3 weeks or 21 days of consistent effort
to form a habit. And it will take even longer to break an existing one.
