Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Skin & Beauty > Nail Care > 9 Ways to Stop Nail Biting

9 Ways to Stop Nail Biting

November 15, 2021 - Updated on January 6, 2022
7 min read
By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi, MD, Clinical Dermatology

In this article:

  • Reasons Behind Nail-Biting
  • Common Ways to Stop Nail-Biting
  • Self-Care Measures for Nail-Biters
  • Complications of Nail-Biting
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

Nail-biting, also known as onychophagia, refers to a compulsive habit of biting or chewing the nails. The habit usually starts in childhood but can develop later as well. It is reported among people of all ages and affects 20%–30% of the global population. (1)

measures to stop nail biting

Most people take to nail-biting as a form of stress relief and tend to do it involuntarily. Although it is hard to break away from such ingrained tendencies, it is in no way impossible. As the age-old saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way.

Reasons Behind Nail-Biting

Nail-biting can be the result of various factors, including:

  • Genetics: Research suggests that nail-biting is a trait that may be passed down from parents. (2) A family history of nail-biting can make you more prone to developing the habit yourself.
  • Stress: Nail-biting seems to help some people deal with anxiety or stress. (2) Repetitive behaviors such as biting the nails can provide a temporary sense of relief when one is nervous.
  • Boredom: Being bored or hungry may lead to compulsive urges such as nail-biting (3) or hair twirling. It stems out of a need to keep the hands busy.
  • PICA: Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating inedible items such as stones, nails, and ice. It is primarily seen in children who start exploring the world through their mouths. It may occur without any underlying cause, but it is also linked to nutritional deficiencies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Common Ways to Stop Nail-Biting

Here are some useful tips to help you quit biting your nails:

Advertisements

1. Apply neem extract

neem oil extracts can keep you from biting your nails

Neem oil is quite bitter, which is why applying it to your nails can keep you from biting them. Since neem is a natural antiseptic, it also helps prevent nail infections.

Pour 2–3 drops of neem oil on a cotton ball and dab it over and under your nails as well as across the cuticles.

2. Trim your nails

Trimming your nails helps keep them neat. Short nails are also harder to bite or chew.

3. Go for a regular manicure

Professional manicures are known to decrease nail-biting effectively.

When your nails are adorned with nail paints and beautiful embellishments, they become much harder to deface. You will be forced to think twice before biting them with your teeth.

Plus, the cost of a manicure itself may stop you from chewing your nails.

Advertisements

4. Get artificial nails

wearing artificial nails can help you deter from nail-biting

Artificial nails, which include acrylic, gel, and press-on ones, make it harder to dig your teeth into and therefore are effective deterrents to compulsive nail-biting.

When buying artificial nails, make sure to choose the correct size, or else they will keep falling off.

5. Wear gloves

Gloves prevent you from biting your nails. Gloves are quite convenient for winters as they also keep your hands warm, but can be a nuisance during hot and humid months.

6. Apply self-adhesive bandages to your fingertips

Cover your fingertips with multiple bandages to discourage nail-biting. (4) Make sure to change your bandages every time they get wet or dirty to maintain proper hygiene and avoid infections.

7. Seek cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you identify your problematic behavior patterns and where they are stemming from so that you can work toward overcoming them.

People unconsciously develop maladaptive behaviors such as nail-biting as a means to cope with some deep-settled, difficult feelings that they are trying to evade.

Advertisements

During your CBT sessions, your counselor will try to get to the root of the problem through a free-flowing discussion and then suggest ways to reconcile with those difficult feelings so that you can control your compulsive tendencies. (4)

8. Adopt a new habit

If you find yourself biting your nails frequently out of boredom, it may be a sign that you need to find a hobby to pass the time. Learn a new activity that can help take your mind off stress and keep your hands occupied.

Cooking, drawing, knitting, and painting are all fun ways to spend your free time productively.

9. Manage your stress levels

manage your stress levels to prevent nail-biting

Stress is one of the most common triggers for nail-biting. (5) Thus, it is essential to learn to manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way.

Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation to calm your mind. Plus, engage in activities that give you pleasure and try other therapeutic interventions such as taking a steam bath or sauna to relieve stress.

Self-Care Measures for Nail-Biters

The following measures can help you overcome the habit of nail-biting and repair the nail damage caused by it:

Advertisements
self-care measures to help prevent nail-biting
  • A healthy and balanced diet is essential to help your nails grow. Make sure to consume foods rich in calcium and magnesium, which help your nails heal.
  • You can train your mind to associate nail-biting with negative outcomes to deter you from the habit. One way to achieve this is by snapping a rubber band on the inside of your wrist every time you catch yourself biting your nails.
  • If you notice yourself biting your nails out of boredom, keep a bottle of water with you at all times. Every time you feel the urge to bite your nails, drink some water instead. This gives you an activity to focus on and also keeps your hand busy.

Complications of Nail-Biting

Compulsive nail-biting can give rise to several problems:

  • Frequent nail-biting can damage your nails and the surrounding tissue. (6) It may also lead to sore and swollen skin.
  • Swallowing small bits of nails accidentally may cause stomach infections.
  • Biting your nails can also transfer bacteria from the nails to your mouth, causing oral and facial infections.
  • Regular nail-biting may lead to gaps between teeth and erosion of enamel. This can pave the way for more serious dental issues in the long run.

When to See a Doctor

Red, sore, or swollen skin around your nails due to excessive nail-biting can be a sign of infection. Seek medical examination and treatment right away.

What you may ask your doctor
  • How can I control/stop this urge to bite my nails?
  • Can nail biting lead to other serious health issues?
  • What are the signs of nail infection that I should be wary of?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Do you have any kind of stress?
  • Is anyone else in your immediate family a compulsive nail biter?

Final Word

Although nail-biting is not particularly harmful to your health, excessive doing it may lead to nail bed infections or deformed nails.

Advertisements

Following the simple steps given above can be enough to help you quit this habit. However, if the problem persists, it is highly suggested to consult a doctor.

References
  1. SR; HPSRKL. Onychophagia: A nail-biting conundrum for physicians. The Journal of dermatological treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27387832/.
  2. Ghanizadeh A. Association of Nail Biting and psychiatric disorders in children and their parents in a psychiatrically referred sample of children. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2435519/. Published June 2, 2008.
  3. (PDF) Onychophagia (nail biting), anxiety, and malocclusion. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235669071/.
  4. Baghchechi M, Pelletier JL, Jacob SE. Art of prevention: The importance of tackling the nail biting habit. International journal of women’s dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7497389/. Published September 17, 2020.
  5. WL; LAKR. Nailbiting. Clinical pediatrics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2276242/.
  6. Ghanizadeh A. Nail biting; etiology, consequences and management. Iranian journal of medical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3556753/. Published June 2011.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.