How to Stop Biting your Nails as Bad Habit

Photo: wikiHow.com

 Consciously or unconsciously, we bite our fingernails when we feel anxiety or nothing-to-do (boredom).

Nail biting, Medically, it is known as onychophagia. Oronychophagia, is an oral compulsive habit. It is sometimes described as a para functional activity, the common use of the mouth for an activity other than speaking, eating, or drinking.
It is very common in children and adults. Many people are not even aware of the fact that they are biting their nails. From a mild habit, nail biting can become a more serious problem.

Stress, boredom, frustration, anxiety and loneliness are some of the common reasons behind nail biting. It can also be a symptom of psychological conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), separation anxiety disorder or bed-wetting.

Nail biting has both physical and emotional consequences. Excessive nail biting can cause severe damage to the nail, cuticles as well as the surrounding skin, which can become red and sore and may even bleed and get infected. Nail biting can also harm your teeth.

As the appearance of bitten-down fingernails can be embarrassing, this can add to your anxiety and stress. Plus, the act of biting your nails is socially unacceptable and gives a negative impression to others.

Some people get to see a dermatologist or nail doctor specialist to remedy the excessive nail biting and find cure for it when it becomes severe.

Stop biting your nails. Biting your nails is detrimental to your health. Although a regular nervous habit for many, it can cause bacterial skin infections on your hands and in your mouth. If you have dry or loose skin around your nail beds, make sure to clip them away rather than biting them off.

• Try keeping your nails neatly polished or add nail art, so you’ll be less apt to biting.
• Chew gum when you’re bored.
• Choose one nail a week that you won’t bite. Gradually add more “no-bite” nails to wean yourself off of the habit.
• Consider talking to a therapist about anxiety and boredom issues if your nail biting.
•  Massage will improve blood circulation, making your nails in hand and feet stronger and healthier. You can use a moisturizing lotion, petroleum jelly,nail cream, tea tree oil or almond oil or coconut oil to massage and also keep your nails moisturized. Procedure when you chose any of those choices you may do this:
•     Apply your chosen product on each nail.
•     Massage gently and thoroughly for 5 to 10 minutes.
•     Slip on cotton gloves, then go to sleep. You may use socks if you don't have gloves.
•     The next morning, wash your nails with warm water.
•     Follow this remedy daily for several weeks.

Stop picking at your chipped polish. Picking at your polish often removes the top layer of your nail bed. This forms a weak base for your nails. 

If you wish to get gel or acrylic manicures, try alternating. Get a traditional manicure between your gel or acrylic manicure.

Stop using your nails as tools. Peeling labels, scrapping glue, or unfastening a key ring are all things that can easily damage or break your nails. You might not even realize you’re doing it, but if you want to grow strong nails, you need to start to notice. If you need to do something get a scissors or tool, to help you open, scrape, or peel.

 Long-term exposure to water or chemicals, such as detergents and nail polish, are also one of the main reasons behind weak nails. Use rubber gloves and protect you feet using plastic/rubber boots it is not that expensive when have to use strong.chemicals and when flooded in your area due to strong rain.

Lastly, eat a healthy food. Getting a good nutrition and vitamins will help strengthening your nails.

When you get to see the good result eventually you will stop the nail biting.

Click the links below for complete information and remedies.

• credit/sources: to:
• 1.  http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Long,-Strong
•  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_biting
•  3. http://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/stop-nail-biting.html

My Note: Mine started  since I was on my second grade studying in a Catholic school since my teacher checks regularly our nails in our class she always catches me having long fingernails. She asks me to put my hands on my desk then she struck me of her wooden yardstick /ruler. At home nobody does taking care of me if I cut my nails/remind me to cut if it is long since both my parents were busy then just sending and picking me up  to school matters. So I found a way to solve my situation whenever my teacher tells us that she will inspect our nails I hurriedly bite my nails until it is my turn it was already short by biting my own nails. Even when I transferred to the University to continue my third grade up to college the situation and procedure were the same in grade school so I was not able to get rid of this bad habit until I got married and have children. I consciously or make effort stops this bad habit since I was afraid my children will pick up the habit if they see it from me. And I really took the time to take care of their nails until they are big enough to do it for themselves.