How to Stop Biting Nails

Oh, come on! We've all done it! I'll bet you still do it at least sometimes withought realising it! But for some it's a major issue...Nail Biting is a habit which is generally linked to childhood, but can carry through into adulthood. It's simply an irritating childhood habit which the sufferer couldn't get rid of, and has become an inherent part of their behaviour.

Sufferers often don't even realize that they're biting their nails, and it's often associated with nerves or anxiousness. There can be some pretty serious consequences, though. It leaves nails looking chipped, jagged and ugly. Exposure of the nail bed can also lead to various nasty diseases, including finger nail funguses, hang nails, and ingrown nails, which can be very painful, and would ultimately need medical treatment.

Treatments:

• The most common treatment is the use of a bitter-tasting nail polish which is applied directly after washing your hands and repeatedly during the day and before bed time (sufferers have been known to bite their nails in their sleep!) Beware that some of these products contain Cayenne Pepper, acetone, and laquer which can be a very volatile solution. Unfortunately, this doesn't work for everybody, since nail biting is ultimately a sub-consciously-embedded mannerism. A lot of people become used to the taste of the nail polish and bite their nails anyway (some even being liking it!)


• Others will get a professional manicure or nail extensions as a hinderance, as it looks nice and their desire to keep their hands looking good overcomes their habitual need. It is understood, though, that those that use this method find that they must maintain their treatments as often as possible, or else they revert back to their nail biting habit!


• Some try to replace that bad habit with a not-so-bad or more constructive habit, such as chewing gum.


• Anti-depressants sometimes are prescribed to try and curb the habit.


• Have a retainer or bite-plate made which makes it impossible to bite your nails.


• Sometimes nail-biting is a symptom of a deeper emotional issue. In this case, resolving the underlying problem through therapy may help lessen or eliminate the nail biting habit.


• Hypnosis. This is a habit that is so deeply embedded into the psyche that the ultimate solution has to come from the sub-conscious. There are those that swear by this option. Richard MacKenzie, best-selling author "Self Change Hypnosis," is considered a poineer in hypnotherapy. If you're considering this approach, have a look at what he recommends on the subject by clicking here (Scroll down the page and click on the link for "Nail Biting")