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Can't stop biting nails, fingers, etc etc!

  • 20-11-2007 02:27AM
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭


    hey folks,

    I've had a habit of biting my nails, the skin around them, etc., for as long as I can remember.

    I think the time has come to stop! They're getting painful, and are like razor-blades on women's skin :p

    I've tried that bad-tasting stuff that you put on, and it didn't work...

    Any other ideas? Tried and tested methods preferably!

    Cheers

    Dave


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Ask your parents, family members & friends to give out to you if they notice you biting your nails.
    It goes away once you're aware of that you're doing it. Maybe a slap on the hand/head for extra emphasis :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,331 ✭✭✭✭bronte


    Honestly it's all about will power!
    Make yourself aware of when you're doing it and keep your hands busy.
    I used to bite my nails badly, made the effort to stop.
    I learned in time that it was something I did without thinking and taught myself to stop.
    It's a tough habit to break...think of the pain it can cause,that should put you off!
    good luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Reku


    bronte wrote: »
    Honestly it's all about will power!
    Make yourself aware of when you're doing it and keep your hands busy.
    I used to bite my nails badly, made the effort to stop.
    I learned in time that it was something I did without thinking and taught myself to stop.
    It's a tough habit to break...think of the pain it can cause,that should put you off!
    good luck!

    Yup, only thing I ever found to work. Sun-tan lotion/sunblock tastes absolutely foul yet even with that on my fingers I'd still bite away at the nails.

    Out of interest might be worth asking your parents about biting the skin around the nails, found out a few years ago that my dad had also done that when he was young, so have been left wondering if perhaps it was a genetic trait, not in a inhereted behaviour sense, but as a possible inhereted deficiency (damned if I can figure out anything unique to the skin of that area other than ease of access for biting off though...:confused:) that results in the behaviour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I used to bite mine very badly too, til they bled in fact. Only way I stopped (but this might not be an option for you) was to put on fake nails. By not being able to bite them, I broke the habit thankfully.

    I still have to carry a small nail clippers around with me because if I get a broken or hang nail I STILL get the urge to bite it off (and this is years later) and before I know it I've bitten the nail down again. So I file or cut it immediately and then I'm ok.

    Might be worth talking to a nail salon, some of their false nails are so natural looking you might get away with wearing them. Especially the gel ones.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Reku


    me-also wrote: »
    I used to bite mine very badly too, til they bled in fact. Only way I stopped (but this might not be an option for you) was to put on fake nails. By not being able to bite them, I broke the habit thankfully.

    I still have to carry a small nail clippers around with me because if I get a broken or hang nail I STILL get the urge to bite it off (and this is years later) and before I know it I've bitten the nail down again. So I file or cut it immediately and then I'm ok.

    Alas being a bloke fake nails would have probably resulted in a number of beatings for me from other guys in secondary school.
    But yeah, have had the odd... relapse myself, where before I know it there's only the pink part of the nail left, no white.
    Oddly though I think I've had more nail bleeds since I stopped biting them than I did before, as now that there's some length to them they can catch on things, break and get ripped away in the pink part (owwwy!:().


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,562 ✭✭✭cance


    missus does this too, never understood how anyone can chew the skin around their nails.

    It seems to get better if she is relaxed, and worse if she is anxious. When i catch her doing it i always make a point of saying it, which seems to work.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 837 ✭✭✭Beetlebum


    me-also wrote: »
    I used to bite mine very badly too, til they bled in fact. Only way I stopped (but this might not be an option for you) was to put on fake nails. By not being able to bite them, I broke the habit thankfully.

    I still have to carry a small nail clippers around with me because if I get a broken or hang nail I STILL get the urge to bite it off (and this is years later) and before I know it I've bitten the nail down again. So I file or cut it immediately and then I'm ok.

    Might be worth talking to a nail salon, some of their false nails are so natural looking you might get away with wearing them. Especially the gel ones.

    Eh...i think DaveMcG is a guy...his also mentions running his hands down womens skin...could be a lesbian called Dave but it's unlikely..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    You're spot on Beetlebum, I'm a lesbien called Dave :D

    No I am a bloke, so fake nails are out of the question ;)

    My mother has been 'pointing it out to me' (smacking me in the mouth! :eek: ) when I do it since I was a kid and it hasn't had any effect.

    Right starting........ NOW...... I shalln't bite my nails or fingers :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,331 ✭✭✭✭bronte


    Great stuff Dave! stick at it, it's a tough one to stop, but very worth it.
    Good luck!


  • Posts: 596 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Thinking about how nasties like the vomiting bug are spread will help...!

    Look at where your hands go, and think about all those people who were there before you who don't wash their hands. Some people are pretty disgusting when it comes to personal hygiene.

    Stopped me sticking my fingers in my mouth pretty quickly!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 539 ✭✭✭DawnMc


    You're possibly not even aware of what you're doing. I constantly bite my lip without realising it.

    Stop the next time you realise you're doing it, ask yourself how you are feeling. Sounds stupid but you'll possibly notice a trend. Allow yourself to experience that feeling (nervous, excited etc) don't shut it out, you most likely won't need to bite anymore! Bite free world I say :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 890 ✭✭✭l3LoWnA


    Ok - I'm with Dave on this. I'm going to stop as and from now too. I've always bitten nails and skin too (I hear it's a DISGUSTING habit to those who aren't in the know about how pleasurable it is to constantly have sore and tender finger-tips!!) My father does the exact same thing, I think it's a hereditory trait alright. I bite mine more when thinking hard or if I'm anxious (doesn't happen very often) about something or don't have cigarettes either.

    Strangely, I've found in the past when I was in a relationship I've just stopped biting my nails straight away, I like having nails when I'm in a relationship. Don't know why! :rolleyes:

    But I've grown them twice or three times in the last year so it IS possible, AND it is all about willpower and making yourself aware of your habit.

    So thanks for starting this thread Dave, as I'm now going to grow my nails nice and long for Christmas and hopefully, by then, I'll have someone who wants to feel them running down their back :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    woohoo :D We can work together on this! It can be like AA, I'll be your sponsor and you mine :D Anyone else want in on the action? We gotta keep each other motivated!

    I've tried to chew about 20 times since starting this thread :eek:, but managed to refrain!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Reku


    Just a warning that you will have the occasional slip up which when you see the one shredded nail among all the normal ones will make you want to have a go at the others too, so you'll definitely need willpower. :(
    Even now I'm still unsure if it looks better to have one weird nail that's all bitten or all the nails looking crap...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Figure out why you do it and distract yourself, either with some gum or with worry beads.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭ali.c


    I found that keeping my hands away from my face worked wonders. No everytime i noticed my hands around my face i purposely did something else with them. its a habit so concious effort is required to get out of it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi, I know I'm not a regular poster around here but I've being an avid 'reader' for quite a while. I chew on my fingers all the time. When I'm worried, happy, sad; it doesn't matter. Can I join you for support as I try to kick this god awful habit?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 48 4bugny


    ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭squishywishy


    I also pick at and bite the skin on my fingers!! one thumb is particularly sore at the minute. Also seem to do it when im under pressure. Boyfriend has been giving out to me for it recently but i just seem to try and hide it from him.

    might jump on the bandwagon and try and stop!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,015 ✭✭✭CreepingDeath


    DaveMcG wrote: »
    I've tried that bad-tasting stuff that you put on, and it didn't work...

    Try sticking your fingers up your ass on a regular basis... that should help you stop putting them in your mouth :D

    Okay, on a serious note, regularly cutting them should help trim them down, so there's nothing there to bite.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,475 ✭✭✭Lil' Smiler


    Oh i'm so jumping on the bandwagon now!

    I do it when i'm stressed, nervous, anxious, upset or when i'm thinking.

    my thumbs are wrecked at the moment coz i've peeled so much skin off.

    If the edge of my nail is coming off, i can't leave it alone, have to pull it and then try to somehow make the shape of it even by picking other bits off..


    right that is it, from tonight, it has to stop!!


  • Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    My turn now:

    Been doing it all my life. Any time I try the foul tasting paint it seems to work for a while but for whatever reason I stop using it and am back to square one in a few days.

    It's not good, I think one of my teeth has been damaged by the biting and my cuticles and the skin below them tends to be very flaky and/or bleed a lot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    So how are we getting on folks? Had a few lapses today :( Just little ones though, didn't go mad or anything! Just stopped as soon as I noticed I was doing it.

    Tomorrow is another day!

    Good luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,308 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Chewing gum worked for me. That or polo's. Something to chew on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Reku


    DaveMcG wrote: »
    So how are we getting on folks? Had a few lapses today :( Just little ones though, didn't go mad or anything! Just stopped as soon as I noticed I was doing it.

    Tomorrow is another day!

    Good luck!

    Like I said before this will happen quite a bit:(, so the important thing is to not simply pack it in, keep trying and you will slowly do it less and less.:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    I'm doin well now :) Bit the nail on my thumb a bit today..... but the rest are looking well :) They've got a bit of white on them!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 890 ✭✭✭l3LoWnA


    Great - we'll all stop together! There won't be a boardsie without nicely groomed nails in the next few weeks :D

    Personally, have't bitten since I read your thread first dave - thanks! NEARLY did last night, but refrained :D

    Must take a picture of hem now and one in a few weeks hehehe just so I can prove the before & after!

    God, how sad is that :rolleyes:

    But seriously, as a previous grower, it's SUCH a nice feeling when your nails start to grow and all the soreness goes from around them! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,475 ✭✭✭Lil' Smiler


    umm.. i've kept doin it but nowhere near as much!! so it's a start!! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 890 ✭✭✭l3LoWnA


    umm.. i've kept doin it but nowhere near as much!! so it's a start!! :)


    Good! If you think about it and mak yourself aware that you're doing it it'll be easier. If you are about to bite them do soemthing else like go an wash your hands or something.....

    Even when I do grow my nails, I've a bad habit of messing with them then......leading to them weakening and eventually breaking :( So I'll have to stop that to if I grow them this time :(


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12 FoxyCat


    I have been biting my nails too... till I was about 16-17. Then I got a bit annoyed, that I didn't have nice nails, like my friends did and I couldn't buy a nice nail polish.. So I tried growing them. It was a hard job, coz the nails weren't growing the nice way and it took me ages.. But eventually I managed it.

    I had a boyfriend, who used to bite his nails.. I would not let him bite his nails if I would see him doing that. I would also file his nails and make them look better than they were even though they were in a bad state. That would make it easier to see if he has been biting them, while I wasn't there.. And this helped. Not 100%, but at least he was making an effort and we were trying to grow them.


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