How to Stop Biting Nails in 9 Minutes

If you have been biting your nails for as long as you can remember, you have probably tried to give up the habit at some point.
You likely tried one of those disgusting-tasting nail polishes that make it less appealing to bite your nails, yet it didn’t stop you from biting for long because you just got used to the horrible taste. Nail biters often know that nail-biting is a bad habit that can potentially harm health and the look of nails. Yet it’s often so hard to stop. Keep reading to learn how to stop biting nails in 9 minutes.

What is Nail Biting? 

Nail biting is a compulsive habit also known as Onychophagy.
About 50 percent of the teens actively bite their nails. Lots of these teens do not grow out of the habit and continue to bite their nails as they become adults.
Most nail-biters bite their nails evenly on both hands. They also do it without realizing it most of the time.

Can Nail Biting Harm My Health?

Possibly. Nail-biting can harm health in several ways. This is because the fingernails are an area where bacteria can prosper.

Nails

Biting nails can lead to severe damage to your nail bed and cuticle. If the cuticle is improperly removed, such as by biting, it can lead to microbial and viral infections. In some cases, many years of nail-biting can cause fingernail deformity and nail bed destruction.

Dental infections

Nail-biting allows bacteria, viruses, and fungi access to the mouth area. It is true that the mouth is not sterile and it is self-contaminated, but nail-biting can insert more bacteria into the gums, where they can contribute to gingivitis and abscesses which can harm your teeth severely.
Biting your nails may also cause position changes of the teeth and in the long term, result in tooth movement, or possibly break fillings and crowns.

Digestive system

Colonies of E. coli and other harmful bacteria can be on your fingernails. They get there by touching remote controls, handles, and computer keyboards. When you put your fingers in your mouth, the bacteria can travel to your digestive system, which can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Worms

One common place for the worm’s eggs to hide is under your fingernails. This is also one of the main ways to be infected by worms. When biting your nails, you insert the worm eggs into the mouth. Then they can travel into the intestines where they hatch and turn into worms.

Why Do I Bite My Nails?

Nail-biting is referred to as “Chronic Onychophagia,” which is an obsessive biting action of the fingernail. It often happens due to boredom, anxiety, stress, or irritability, and may be caused by genetics or imitating a close friend or family member who does it.

While most people who do not bite their nails find this habit repulsive, for a nail-biting person, this is a deeply satisfying action as hard as that may be to believe.

How to Stop Biting Nails in 9 Minutes? 

So, why did I decide to stop biting my nails after 29 years? I have been biting my nails as long as I remember, and just like you, I tried to stop several times before.

Are you ready to kick the habit for good this time? Maybe you have tried and failed many times before, but keep reading because you may not have tried this method.

It took me a lot of time until I convinced myself that I have to stop!

I bet I looked crazy at work meetings trying to suppress the urge to bite my nails. yes. it wasn’t a pretty sight.

Also having a baby and changing so many diapers affected my decision.  No matter how many times you wash and clean your hands, it just isn’t sanitary to put them inside your mouth.

Think of how biting your nails is impacting your home, work, or family life negatively. Maybe you also look distracted at work meetings trying to suppress the urge to bite your nails. You can tell other people are noticing and get passed up for certain desired assignments.

How to Stop Biting Nails in 9 Minutes? It Starts With You

First of all, you need to decide you want to stop. It starts with you. If you don’t want this decision to last only for 10 minutes, you must convince yourself that you are really ready to make a change this time.

If you have had this habit for a long time, it will take time. The need to put your hands in your mouth will not disappear the moment you decide you want to stop your nail-biting habit.

At first, it will probably be a struggle, and you may reach up and touch your lips a lot searching for some jagged edges. This will lessen in time.

Don’t Bite Your Nails – File Them

One of the best ways to stop biting your nails is to file them. Hangnails or jagged edges will increase the desire to bite them off, so keep a nail file with you. If you notice an edge that isn’t smooth, gently file them immediately.

Gel Manicure

Gel manicure will help you keep your nail edges smooth and your nails thick and strong. The gel nail polish and top coat curing with a LED/UV lamp will make it almost impossible to bite. Also, it’s very satisfying to see your nails grow, and it will make you want to keep them that way.

Why Gel Nails Instead of False Nails?

Applying artificial nails can help some people stop nail-biting. A nail biter may run into an issue when one of the acrylic nails breaks or chips. When this happens, a nail-biter may feel an incredible urge to remove all the false nails. This may be strange to a non-nail biter, but nail biters can understand this urge.

Some studies say nail-biting people are perfectionists. This can result in annoyance when one of the nails is uneven or broken.
Acrylic nails may work for you if you are willing to replace them often. Otherwise, gel nails may work much better for you.

Tell us what helped you to stop your nail-biting habit?

If this article on How to Stop Biting Nails in 9 Minutes helped or inspired you to stop, please let us know in the comments.