Help I can't stop biting the skin around my nails!
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enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:25 am Quote

Ok ladies. I need serious help. I am in my mid-30s and a professional woman who cannot stop biting the skin around her nails! Nail/skin biting has always been a problem for me. Now, I'm too old to have nails and skin that look bitten and sometimes bloody. Any tricks or tips would be greatly appreciated!

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:11 am Quote

I haven't tried them but there are products made for this - for instance:
Orly No Bite
http://www.folica.com/Orly_No_Bite_d515.html

Also you can find tips online:
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Biting-Your-Nails

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:34 am Quote

Stop Nail biting from Mavala tasted awful. It made me stop biting my nails an cuticles 15 years ago.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:30 am Quote

I don't bite mine, but I do pick at the skin around my nails and cuticles, sometimes until it bleeds, I have permanent scar tissue now. I don't know why, but a doctor once asked me about my 'self mutiliation' habit. Sad

What helps is if I keep my nails very well groomed, manicured and polished, I am less likely to do it. Also vital is keeping the skin moisturised, it's the dry bits that give me the opening to start picking. The nasty-tasting paint will work for you since your problem is biting, but hopefully my tips will too.

Good luck.

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:16 pm Quote

i too do this....specially when i have my polish on... Sad

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:55 pm Quote

Thanks ladies for all the suggestions. I think I should try out a number of your suggestions at the same time to break my habit. Probably get that nasty tasting cream plus get weekly manicures. If I can keep all the little hangnails and dry cuticles/skin at bay, I'll be half way there.

enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:50 am Quote

i am the same way!!! i think it's a nervous tic Sad

ill still bite or pick at the skin even if i have polish so i'm really not sure what to do because most of the time it's so unconscious i dont even notice unless i start bleeding Sad

enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:37 am Quote

I am also ashamed to admit that I bite the skin around the nails. This has become a real problem for me in the last couple of years. Because of hormone problems the skin around my nail has become very dry and tough. I do moisturize but not often enough. I should wear gloves when doing dishes etc. probably that would help. I will try some of the remedies mentioned on this thread! Thanks!

enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:46 am Quote

mishb wrote:

I don't bite mine, but I do pick at the skin around my nails and cuticles, sometimes until it bleeds, I have permanent scar tissue now. I don't know why, but a doctor once asked me about my 'self mutiliation' habit. Sad

What helps is if I keep my nails very well groomed, manicured and polished, I am less likely to do it. Also vital is keeping the skin moisturised, it's the dry bits that give me the opening to start picking. The nasty-tasting paint will work for you since your problem is biting, but hopefully my tips will too.

Good luck.

I agree with this, it helps for me. Here is some more info about Dermatillomania/skin picking disorder. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_picking Apparently cognitive behavioural therapy may work.

enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:03 am Quote

I didn't go to the link about dermatillomania /skin picking disorder but I will later.

I do this. More the cuticle area and skin around the nail than the nail. I've done it since I was a kid. I remember my dad yelling at me about it but I "couldn't help myself". It's gotten better since I am older but does return under times of stress. I think it is a nervous habit.

Spiritually, someone told me it's usually done by people who were "picked at" when growing up. If that gives you any insight. It made sense to me re: my life.

In addition to stress reduction, moisturizing so the skin is not dry and the cuticles aren't snagging on things helps as well.

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