Stop biting nails

[Anony_mousey]

So I know it's quite a childish habit but I'm trying to stop biting my nails. Anyone got any tips on stopping this, I always do it if I'm bored or feel shy. It's so annoying because people find it really gross and all that and my family think it's a stupid thing to do. So anyone got tips to stop because things like the nasty flavoured dip don't act as a deterrent.

Thanks for any tips

[not_so_insig]

Have you tried putting nail varnish on them? I bite my nails occasionally and I have found that if I put nail varnish on them, then I dont tend to bite them.

[Anony_mousey]

Insignificant_one, People say it looks stupid having teeny tiny nails painted.

Auror, I don't always know when I'm doing it but when I know its often when I don't feel I fit in somewhere e.g. When I'm sitting alone in school.

Thanks for responding guys

[tiredout]

You can get stuff to put on them thats clear, some are like a clear varnish some dry like water and are totally invisible. They are specifically made to stop biting and they taste awful. Really, really awful. They may help.

[Charmed]

I used to bite my nails quite badly too, and I hated it, I'm convinced they grew overnight but obviously not! As others have said I found putting nail polish on them really helpful. Even if your nails are short, you can put a colour which is similar to your skin colour so it isn't as obvious. Then when they have grown you can go wild!

I never found the horrid tasting polish that helpful, I must have super resilient taste buds, but that can work for many people. It can also help to ask others to point out when you are biting your nails to help you stop yourself when you're unaware of it.

When you're feeling as though you don't fit in, could you try a stress ball, or fiddling with some string etc. which has a similar effect on biting your nails.

[tiptoes]

I used to bite my nails terribly too.
I found keeping them trimmed helped if there was any scraggly edges I would subconsciously pick at them.
I too painted them, as bright as I could find and I used a nail strengthener so they weren't so weak and didn't break or damage so easily.
I have found once my nails grew to a certain length I was less likely to bite them as I don't want to ruin my progress. It gets a lot harder if any break.

[The Queen of Peace]

I bite my nails when they are not painted, but when they're painted I have no tendency to do it whatsoever.

Nail varnish doesn't look that bad on short nails. I think bare short nails look worse. Plus, if painted nails stops you biting them, they'll grow to a reasonable length in no more than two weeks and you can wear nail varnish without being self conscious about others thinking it doesn't look right.

Also, I'm really into nail art which is incredibly therapeutic and rewarding with all the compliments that come of having pretty nails and being able to say, "I do them myself!" So if you can grow them, you can have a play and experiment with different styles. So you get a new hobby and you've stopped biting your nails!

Good luck with stopping, I know it's difficult. I did it for my whole childhood right up until I got braces but the pain of the braces made me stop and then I just got out the habit.

[Anony_mousey]

I think I'll paint my nails, I used to love nail art until they got too short so I'll aim to grow them long enough to do some. Wish me luck, and thanks for all the responses :)

[tiptoes]

Good luck!!

[The Queen of Peace]

Good luck! You can show us some designs on the nails thread in the picture board if you're feeling proud.