How to Stop Biting Your Nails

Nail biting is usually described as being just a bad habit, but sometimes it can be a side effect of stress, anxiety, or something that we do subconsciously while doing things like watching TV or reading a book. However, nail biting is not healthy and can cause more than just cosmetic issues with your nails. Your fingernails are one of the dirtiest places on your body and biting your nails can transfer bacteria from your nails and into your body, resulting in sickness and even infections.

Luckily, there are ways to help you stop biting your nails. Listed below are a few tips and tricks that you can try out to see which one works best for you.

Keep your nails trimmed short:With less nail to bite, the less you’ll be tempted to bite them.

Apply Nail Polish or Artificial Nails: Having nail polish or artificial nails on your natural nails may actually be a deterrent as the nail polish will taste bitter, and the act of spending money to keep your nails looking beautiful will make you think twice before putting them in your mouth.

Keep Your Hands Busy: When reading a book or watching TV, opt for using a stress ball or fiddling with something to keep your hands occupied.

Identify The Problem: Find out what causes you to bite your nails in the first place. Is is stress? Anxiety? Are you bored? Are you uncomfortable with hangnails or having long nails? By figuring out what triggers you to bite your nails, you can take steps to avoid these situations, or make a plan to do something different when the feeling arises.

It may seem hard at first, but with persistence, you’ll be able to kick the habit in no time! Contact a dermatologist if problems arise with your skin as a result of biting your nails.