Nail biting is an unpleasant and unhealthy habit. It affects around 20 – 30% of the population and is a common concern for all age groups.
It can not only deform your nails, but it can also affect your smile as chipped or cracked teeth are a common result of excessive nail biting.
However, the effects of nail biting go beyond aesthetics and can also affect your health. Your hands, especially your fingernails, are hotbeds for germs and bacteria, which is why biting them can increase your chances of getting sick.
Unfortunately, despite knowing the adverse effects of habitual nail biting on general health, it can be hard to stop nipping at your fingernails once you develop the habit.
The good news is that it is not impossible! All you need is a strong resolve and some home remedies to stop biting nails. Scroll down to take a look at some tried and tested home remedies that can help you quit this unhealthy habit for good.
1. Keep Your Nails Short
For habitual nail biters, nipping on the nails just feels good. However, when the nails are cut short, biting them won’t be as satisfying.
This is why cutting your nails as short as possible can help you quit the habit of biting down on them. It will also keep dirt and grit from accumulating under the nails.
So, if you want to quit nail biting, the first thing you need to do is clip your nails so short that there’s not enough nail to grab with your teeth. Keep in mind that you may have to cut your nail regularly to maintain the short length.
2. Make them Taste or Smell Bad
This home remedy to stop biting nails boasts a high success rate! Coating your nails to make them taste or smell bad can keep you from biting them.
After all, why would you bite something that tastes terrible and gives off an unpleasant smell? This works exceptionally well for people who nip their nails subconsciously without even realizing that they are indulging in nail biting again. People coat their nails with all sorts of things to keep from biting. Here are a few things you can try.
- Dip your fingers in a saline solution and let it dry. The salty taste of the solution will stay on the fingers and will remind you to stop biting your nails every time you start nipping. While this method works well, salt can accumulate on your fingers and fall off and make a mess when you type on the computer, write with a pen, or perform any other activity that requires you to work with your fingers.
- Rub jalapeños on the nails. This is a better alternative to using a saline solution when it comes to reminding you that your nails do not belong in your mouth. However, if you rub jalapenos on your nails, you must be extremely careful to make sure you don’t touch your face or eyes. As long as you are super careful, this remedy can work effectively to keep you from biting your nails. It is important to remember that the spiciness from jalapenos will not last on your nails for more than a few hours. So, you may have to repeat the process multiple times a day.
- Coat your nails with a bitter flavor nail polish. Since nail biting is a common problem, multiple products are available in the market to help you get rid of it for good. You can easily find bitter flavor nail polishes that are specifically designed to help you quit nail biting. If you are unable to find these products, coating your nails with ordinary nail polish can also help to some extent.
3. Experiment with Nail Art
You are less likely to bite your nails when you spend time caring for them. So, if you are ready to quit nail biting, it’s time you start caring for your nails more. Experiment with all sorts of nail art and put brightly colored nail paints on your nails.
Caring for your nails will not only keep you from nipping them but will also help your nails grow stronger. Excessive nail biting can damage your nails and turn them brittle.
One way to deal with weak nails and restore their health is to rub olive oil or Vitamin E oil on them every night before you go to bed.
4. Keep a Cuticle Scissor Handy
If you know how to use a cuticle scissor properly, carrying one around can help you big time. This is especially true if you get an intense urge to pick ragged cuticles. Instead of using your teeth, use the scissor to keep your cuticles clean and trimmed. However, keep in mind that using a cuticle scissor excessively or incorrectly can do more harm than good. So, make sure you don’t overdo it.
5. Identify Your Triggers
Nail biting is a nervous habit. A lot of people bite their nails when they are nervous or anxious. This is why identifying your triggers and solving your underlying issues can help you take care of the problem. An easy way to find your triggers is to notice what you are doing and how you feel when you bite your nails.
For instance, some people bite their nails while waiting. Others can’t seem to stop nibbling on the nails during an exciting sports game. Once you figure out when you bite your nails, you can work on finding ways to cope.
These are five home remedies to stop biting nails that you can try today. Remember, perseverance is the key. So, while you may not be able to quit the habit overnight, if you are determined to stop biting your nails and have a strong resolve, nothing can keep you from getting those gorgeous, strong and healthy nails of your dreams!
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