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Nail Biting

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Nail biting can be an unfortunate habit that leaves your itty bitty nails defenseless. But here are a few tricks to help avoid that nervous habit. First eat foods rich in calcium and magnesium to help restore and repair your nails. Distract your mouth by chewing on gum or vegetables during those week moments. And if all else fails try putting a bitter tasting product on your nails like vinegar so if you go to bite your nails the taste should detour you. Have you any helpful tips for nail biters? Let’s hear!
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KLeigh wrote:
1) 9/2/2009 10:16:20 AM
I am guilty of nail biting but I have found that if I go to the nail salon and get my nails done with fake nails that I will not bite my nails. I dont want to mess up the nice work of the salon so my fingers stay out of my mouth.
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bgh wrote:
2) 9/2/2009 11:47:46 AM
I have been a lifelong nail biter. I used to use Sally Hanson stop bite but had to reapply after every hand washing. I discovered a product that you only need to apply once to twice a week, it does not wash off. It really helps as when I break or tear a nail I start biting again. Slap Bite It on and I'm good to go. Product name: Bite It by top Ten Cosmetics LLC. Brenda
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starrynights wrote:
3) 9/2/2009 12:21:31 PM
If I get my nails done, I'm much less likely to bite my nails and ruin the handiwork! I don't have to get a professional manicure, either - if I paint my nails, I still want to preserve the cute color. Whenever I have the temptation to bite my nails, I pull out a nail file and smooth out any rough edges instead.
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Felicia R. wrote:
4) 9/2/2009 12:55:20 PM
I am a severe nail biter lol. I've tried the gum to keep me distracted... I've had friends around me during the day to fuss me when I do it, I've even bought this bitter nail polish for nail biters and that did not work.. I even try to bite my acrylics!! lol I guess I'm pretty much hopeless.
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Tifnic wrote:
5) 9/2/2009 12:55:56 PM
When I was young, I was a compulsive nail biter. Now it's just a disgusting bad habit of the past, until recently. My youngest child and only daughter (age 9) has started biting her nails...pretty far down the nail bed. I've tried the lecture and it didn't work so I am now employing my moms tried and true method of applying hot sauce to the nail itself. This only works on unpainted nails (because it will actually soak into the nail bed). She hasn't bitten her nails in a few days so we'll see. A bonus tip is to keep the nails pretty. Paint them or get a fresh manicure - women are less likely to destroy what is beautiful in appearance.
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lcmcbeth wrote:
6) 9/2/2009 1:23:59 PM
I have been a nailbiter and there were two things that I did that made the biggest difference. 1) going to a salon an getting acrylic nails put on. I had felt like I had really ruined something if I bit them and then also they were much harder to bite and took more time and effort. 2) I wasxonstantly distracting my hands. It may sound silly but I bought a Nintendo DS and went to town whenever I was nervous or bored. That helped a lot. If I was at work I would get on the computer and play a game, as long as my hands were busy.
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MzMemez wrote:
7) 9/2/2009 1:38:47 PM
I have bitten my nails i think all my life I really wish i could stop I've tried everything from wearing gloves to putting hot sauce on my nails nothing works. The only thing that seems to distract me it when I have a strong nail polish on or when I'm chewing on something else
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crissycat wrote:
8) 9/2/2009 2:08:45 PM
wear gloves, or keep your hands busy! go get a manicureee, you dont wanna mess em up then!
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mackrae27 wrote:
9) 9/2/2009 2:40:56 PM
i am a life long nailbittter and cannot find a way to stop!! i have tried alot of products but now i am chewing gum and i am rewarding my self to a new elf product to every week i dont chew my nails:) but now i have every nail polish set and color and tool so now i am ordering the studio collection and cant believe the products:) i love them
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Krazi Kelly wrote:
10) 9/2/2009 3:23:23 PM
I find that if I keep my nails polished, I tend not to bite them because I want to keep the polish unchipped.
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girlygirl20 wrote:
11) 9/2/2009 3:29:22 PM
my cousin was a very bad nail bitter. My aunt would put hot sauce on her nails every time she started to bite them and eventually my cousin stopped biting them lol.
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from NoVA wrote:
12) 9/2/2009 4:43:31 PM
I used to be a nail-bitter when I was younger but now I only do it when I'm really stressed. Chewing on gum and wearing bright nail polish seemed to help me not bite on my nails, but I think having my entire family, my friends, and roommates stop me when I'm putting my fingers in my mouth were also helpful. I haven't tired this, but I knew of someone who wore fake nails to stop biting their nails.
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jabreu69 wrote:
13) 9/2/2009 8:29:16 PM
I will have to try this with my daughter. She has a very bad nail biting habit, and I have tried everything. Lets see if vinegar works. I'm just afraid that it will burn her since she really bites down on them until they are raw. ;(
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Jess' Blog wrote:
14) 9/2/2009 9:35:01 PM
Fantastic tips!
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filicaprina wrote:
15) 9/2/2009 11:45:54 PM
Hi,my nails are always getting chipped when they get a lil long,this is the perfect advice for me!thank you.
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wishbone317 wrote:
16) 9/3/2009 7:51:19 AM
I think you're right- the biggest nail biting deterrent I've found is keeping busy or distracted. I typically bite my nails when I watch tv or movies. I've found that if I can be doing something with my hands, such as crafts or other projects, I won't bite my nails. Also, when I'm busiest at work, I don't bite. I like your suggestion about gum chewing also. Thanks!!
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nisejack wrote:
17) 9/3/2009 11:59:51 AM
I am a horrible nail biter and find the only thing that helps is a strong smelling polish. Not because it detours me, I have been known to chew/scrape the polish off first and then bite the nail, it is the smell that reminds me that I am trying not to bite my nails. I also find that if I am going to be sitting for a while (watching a movie or reading a book) it helps to have some munchies or gum because it is a mindless habit. It happens most when you are distracted.
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eyecandy007 wrote:
18) 9/3/2009 12:26:48 PM
I just keep my nails super short and then I dont bite them! I add some polish and they look great!
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Sofi NJ wrote:
19) 9/3/2009 1:08:08 PM
I need all the help I can get, I've tried everything and nothing works! I've actually resorted to putting band-aids on all 10 fingers when I'm home. I'm hopeless!
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Lboogie wrote:
20) 9/3/2009 1:42:41 PM
I recently discovered a way to stop biting my nails. I got a tiny maicure set. I carry it with me every day in my purse. A lot of nail biters start because of some imperfection in what exists for a nail...then you can't stop. If I can catch what is making me want to bite my nails by filing or clipping it before I bite, I leave them alone. ALSO...keep your nails relatively short for a while. Don't let them get too long. The longer they are, the more chances they have to snag or rip.
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Suai-ness wrote:
21) 9/4/2009 2:54:23 AM
I used to bite my nails when I was in junior high, but I believe once I started being more active I stopped. I think it was the exercising that relieved the stress that caused me to bite my nails.
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tinsley wrote:
22) 9/4/2009 10:01:34 AM
I used to be an avid nail biter. To stop, I made goals with myself. If i went a week without biting, i would treat myself to a new bracelet or ring. Two weeks, a skirt and so on. after so long, not biting my nails became a habit. when i would do it, i would be disgusted. so, that ended my habit.
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tinsley wrote:
23) 9/4/2009 10:10:56 AM
I used to be an avid nail biter. To stop, I made goals with myself. If i went a week without biting, i would treat myself to a new bracelet or ring. Two weeks, a skirt and so on. after so long, not biting my nails became a habit. when i would do it, i would be disgusted. so, that ended my habit.
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BugaboosCreations wrote:
24) 9/4/2009 10:53:37 PM
I fortunately do not have this problem! Mine are horrid though, they crack and peel, then I pick at them, So kind of the same thing I guess!
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manuki wrote:
25) 9/4/2009 8:15:20 AM
Firts of all, as when someone wants to quit smoking, you should really want it. But I know it's not that easy because most of the times you don't realize you are biting your nail unless you get to hurt yourself. I wanted to quit and I wanted my hands to look good, so I decided to give gel nail reconstuction a try. Biting a much harder nail makes you come to your senses and gives you a stop. It's over a year now...I know it costs good money but it is worth it!
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CupcakeShley wrote:
26) 9/5/2009 12:39:54 AM
I only bite my nails when they are catching on somthing, but it is still frustrating. I have started carrying around a nail file and haven't bitten my nails since.
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Rockshow wrote:
27) 9/5/2009 11:44:03 PM
Good tip with the chewing gum!
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Jessicalovestexas wrote:
28) 9/9/2009 6:03:33 PM
nail polish remover always deters me from chomping on my nails, but i guess it would be kind of harsh. I really want to stop biting my nails, but, I'll do it with out even noticing it and i don't like that. But, these tips were awesome, I never noticed that I don't chew my nails when I have gum until now. Thanks!
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makeupfreak23 wrote:
29) 9/10/2009 11:48:12 AM
i chewed my nails all the time when i was little, but i was aable to stop myself, now its just when im nervous.
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Balooper wrote:
30) 9/11/2009 2:39:42 AM
Keep a clippers/file in your purse. I used to be a nail biter, but have long kicked the habbit simply by having a clippers handy. Every time I had a broken nail I would clip it- no more chewed ends to snag on my clothing and trimmed nails do look a lot nicer and more professional.
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Beth.L. wrote:
31) 9/13/2009 3:08:31 PM
i have been biting my nails for a few years, then suddenly, i just stopped. Putting a nasty taste on your nails is a great tip, i wish i had thought of that sooner!
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easton_87 wrote:
32) 9/14/2009 7:34:43 PM
I have bit my nails for my entire life and I going to be 22 years old next month. I don't even realize I'm doing it half the time. I am trying to grow them out now, and I find the best way not to bite them is to paint them a really bright colour. Not only does it look nice, but the polish tastes bad when I bite it.
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treenuhkuh wrote:
33) 9/14/2009 9:19:13 PM
what i used to do is just keep my nails really short so that i cant bite my nails and chip them. really helped me out!
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San wrote:
34) 9/15/2009 1:24:09 AM
Great idea - we have used pepper juice also.
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Lalapisani wrote:
35) 9/16/2009 9:14:40 AM
I am guilty of nail biting, I tried the bitter nail polishes but they didn't work for me, so what I do is: I get my nails done and I just can't bite them... they are too pretty!
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makeupdiva wrote:
36) 9/18/2009 4:01:36 PM
my suggestion is to go to the nail salon and get a wrap over your nails and then you won't want to bite them because they are to hard
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Rowan wrote:
37) 9/19/2009 6:32:31 PM
It helps to put nail polish on your nails, or file them and do them up all nice. If your nails look pretty, why would you want to ruin them?
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Rowan wrote:
38) 9/19/2009 6:35:02 PM
Also, if the bitter tasting stuff doesn't work, spicy might. Or use a nail polish that has a scent, or put some perfume on your fingers, around your nails, so when you put your nails close to your face to take a bite, the smell reminds you not too.
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Kristy<3 wrote:
39) 9/19/2009 10:56:52 PM
Oh wow, I admit... I used to be a real bad nail biter, but after I learned what my hand touches in school throughout one single school day I became so grossed out I thought twice before I was going to bite my nails.
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xbabygirl_hanhx wrote:
40) 9/20/2009 2:44:23 PM
Well u could wear gloves. that way u'll be biting ur gloves haha. but another good way is to thicken ur nails with a nail polish or somhow. that way u wont beable to bite through ur nails.
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love drunk wrote:
41) 9/20/2009 2:59:08 PM
thicken your nails! that way the damage of biting your nails well lessen. you will find urself biting less and less because ur teeth becomes more sensitive.
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vicky_lynne wrote:
42) 9/21/2009 2:24:44 PM
instead of biting nails to make them shorter just have your nails kept up with that way they'll look descent and you won't feel the need to bite them.
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ilovelf100 wrote:
43) 9/21/2009 7:28:58 PM
I like to paint my nails to avoid this habit and it really helps.
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ParaB wrote:
44) 9/22/2009 12:26:03 PM
I have been biting my nails forever. I tried that no bite nail polish, but that just wouldn't work because I just got used to how it tasted! I am going to start getting them done professionaly more often because that seems to be the only thing that keeps me from biting!
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mommy_noel wrote:
45) 9/22/2009 7:58:33 PM
Keeping them painted and looking nice will keep the temptation from biting them. Get them painted by a friend who can do pretty designs and you will be less likely to bite because they look so cute!
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Leanna wrote:
46) 9/25/2009 5:43:03 PM
ive been lucky and ive never been a nail bitter. most of my friends are i think your nails dont look heathly when you bite them. my friend once put that nail polish that taste horrible on her nails to make her not bite them and it actually worked.
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bekah!$$ wrote:
47) 9/26/2009 1:32:28 AM
i hate my nails after i bite them! they look so bad and i'm so disappointed that i have to wait for them to all grow out again.
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bekah!$$ wrote:
48) 9/26/2009 1:34:53 AM
the only thing that has worked for me is chewing gum constantly, but then my jaw hurts:/ even bad tastes dont stop me.
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Annette09 wrote:
49) 9/27/2009 7:08:59 PM
I also have a bad habit of biting my nails when I am stressed. I think it is a disgusting habit, but when I am stressed it just kind of happens. I've tried using bitter products and hot sauce, but it does not always deter me. If I paint my nails myself it often keeps me from biting them because I don't want to ruin it. But if I am really stressed I just bite them without even thinking about it. I've found that the best deterant is if pay for a manicure. I will most likely not bite them because it is a waste of money. However, once they start to chip it is a different story.
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squarepond3 wrote:
50) 9/30/2009 12:09:28 PM
i bite my nails ALOT and i think im gonna try the vinegar technique
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charziparzipuddinpie wrote:
51) 9/30/2009 2:52:37 PM
I'm very glad I have never been a nail-chewer, but my poor older sis was when we were kids. The way she stopped herself was just sheer determination, and she let her nails grow into dragonlady talons, which she promptly started using as weapons! *remembers the ouchies from getting scratched* lololol
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livinchillinLOVE wrote:
52) 10/1/2009 7:18:17 PM
I say eat ice instead. That always helped me. But then again i usually bite my nail if its imperfect. I know my friends bite their nails when their hungry. JUST EAT ICE.. Your teeth will run away from anything after your done.
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Improv lover wrote:
53) 10/3/2009 11:35:12 PM
unfortunately my daughter is a nail bitter and i have recently learned that painting her nails really helps
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A-C. wrote:
54) 10/4/2009 8:42:49 PM
I used to be a complusive nail-biter as well, but now I find that if my nails are done up nicely, ie. I have just gotten a manicure or given myself a manicure, I am less likely to bite my nails and ruin the polish! My fingernails are also more healthy and even now, too!
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OpIvy wrote:
55) 10/7/2009 12:11:58 PM
I am guilty of being a biter and fake nails are the only thing that has ever worked for me at all, however it leaves my real nails so brittle that once they come off, I cannot resist the urge to bite again.
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The real u wrote:
56) 10/18/2009 12:01:05 PM
When I used to bite my nails it was because they were chipping. What I did was just clip my nails and just think, It WILL! keep your nails pretty
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alx09 wrote:
57) 11/16/2009 12:16:56 PM
I always find that painting my nails helps. Just like a really pretty cake is too good to eat, the illusion the polish gives, makes my nails seem too good to bite. ;)
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Republicgirl wrote:
58) 12/24/2009 4:29:10 PM
i have had the hardest time trying to stop biting my nails...i will have to try the vinegar thing cuz gum doesnt really help...thanx for the tip
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bonbon wrote:
59) 1/11/2010 10:36:56 AM
I used to bite my nails A LOT but luckly i figured when i painted them i wouldnt want to ruin them like most of you said and it helped a lot! so now i always keep them painted
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mgirl wrote:
60) 1/17/2010 4:30:58 PM
I was a nail bitter but i used this product for a while and it helped .It was a clear nailpolish that tasted bad if you put your fingers in your mouth .
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dogs101 wrote:
61) 9/6/2010 4:06:33 PM
omg i am such a bad nail bitter. They are so stubby right now
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I Love Makeup wrote:
62) 1/18/2011 7:07:56 PM
My best friend bites her nails all of the time so i will give her these wonderful tips. thank you
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Kannykandy (: wrote:
63) 3/30/2011 4:06:53 PM
Oh my gosh, luckily I don't bite my nails, but some of my family members do, like my uncle Bites his nails right down to the nub! I'm not even exaggerating. My brother bites his nails too. He tried to use hot sauce on his fingernails to stop it, but he actually likes the taste. LOL
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jessikers wrote:
64) 8/31/2011 4:24:01 PM
thanks so much! this is really helpful!! love ur products :)
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jessikers wrote:
65) 8/31/2011 4:38:53 PM
well, i would use a nail polish, but my nails are literally so short it doesnt look good. and im not allowed to get fake nails, and i cant really have them because they are hard to play sports with. but i tried the bitter tasting stuff on my nails and i bit them anyway, ignoring the taste. i really want to stop, but its not as easy as it sounds.
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Dee Dee wrote:
66) 9/29/2011 9:36:32 PM
I was a nail bitter for as long as I can remember. I am almost 30 and have been bite free for 1 1/2 years. It is a freeing feeling and to look at my nails now... wow what a difference! It takes a lot of perseverance and determination. Constantly be aware of where your hands are and keep telling yourself "NO" when your hands get close to your mouth. You have to REALLY want to stop and when you do you'll have beautiful nails. If I kicked the habit so can you!
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Michaela wrote:
67) 10/31/2011 9:28:01 PM
I used to bite my nails all the time! Braces cured it though!
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Michaela wrote:
68) 10/31/2011 9:28:18 PM
I used to bite my nails all the time! Braces cured it though!
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loverofmakeup wrote:
69) 3/28/2013 10:48:04 PM
wow! I have to tell one of my friends these tips! She is constantly biting her nails. The thing that helped me stop biting my nails a few years ago was painting them in clear polish, so that i didn't bite them.
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