Trying to stop biting my nails. Tips to break the habit?

WikiEmuLeaper240
10/20/24 7:12pm
I'm a lifelong nail biter (usually when I'm stressed or just bored) and I really want to kick the habit, but am having a really hard time of it! Tips please??
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Smarlen Balbi
Smarlen Balbi
Nail Technician and Pedicurist
05/21/25 7:29pm
Get acrylic nails! They physically prevent you from biting your nails and help break the habit.
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/08/24 9:56pm
paint you nails, use cuticle oil, and strengthener. trust me cus I used to have the problem.
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Anonymous WikiOcelot
Anonymous WikiOcelot
12/09/24 4:11am
Something I did was watch a video of what's in your nails and I am so disgusted that I stopped. Also making like a video or something of your progress can help with motivation so you want to stop.
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Anonymous WikiTiger
Anonymous WikiTiger
11/11/24 3:15am
There are a couple of ways:
1.Trim your nails
2.Replace the nail biting habit with a good habit
3.Wear gloves or nail-stickers
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Anonymous WikiButterfly
Anonymous WikiButterfly
02/12/25 2:07am
Try thinking why you bite your nails. If it gives you relaxation, a throw blanket or a plush might help. :)
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Anonymous WikiAxolotl
Anonymous WikiAxolotl
04/27/25 7:14pm
It makes me really sad bc I have been biting my nails for about like 5/6 years and I want long nails badly and they take one month to barely grow 😢
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Anonymous WikiGibbon
Anonymous WikiGibbon
04/28/25 10:57pm
Well I have been biting my nails for 8 years but know I'm avoiding it and I play with a fidget so they could grow.
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ProseBeforeBros
05/09/25 8:00pm
I enlisted my roommate to point out every time I started biting my nails. It helped me become more conscious of when I was doing it and having a buddy to support me was great. If you have a friend or partner that you spend a lot of time with this could work!
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WikiToadTrader400
10/26/24 12:14pm
Okay, so I have this problem, too. You know what worked for me? Painting my nails and picking the polish off whenever I feel the urge to bite them. I’m a guy and my girlfriend recommended painting my nails and at first I was like, no way…but it’s really not that deep! Whenever I get the urge to bite my nails, I just sort of pick at the polish and it accomplishes the same sort of impulse.
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Karsten Elders
10/31/24 7:43pm
Try Malva Stop. It is a clear nail polish with a bitter taste so you will not want to bite your nails
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/04/24 2:07pm
Actually its Mavala Stop....
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/04/24 2:06pm
OMG! I use that, yasssssss queeennn
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/08/24 9:58pm
it taste so bad tho
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Anonymous WikiChinchilla
Anonymous WikiChinchilla
04/27/25 9:44pm
That's the point sweetheart
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/04/24 2:06pm
I gotcha bro, here-
I recommend getting regular manicures. They lower your stress levels, and then you won't have the urge to bite them because they look so neat and perfect! Yw! :3
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Anonymous WikiStoat
Anonymous WikiStoat
12/10/24 4:49pm
try o distract yourself by thinking if something you will be happy
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Anonymous WikiCapybara
Anonymous WikiCapybara
02/18/25 8:47am
something that helps me is eating almonds/ other foods with a sort of 'film' on them. sounds kinda gross but peeling off the almond skin helps sort of replace biting my nail. if you're allergic to nuts, you could try some other seeds or grapes
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WikiLionWatcher116
10/22/24 4:18pm
You can try anti-biting polish, it's simple and cheap and I know someone who had success with it -but personally, it didn't cure my nail biting habit, lmao, i just kept on biting my nails. i actually found that just regular nail polish works to keep me from biting my nails, partly because the texture/taste, but also because when my nails are pretty i don't want to ruin them! You could even try getting manicures at a salon -- regular polish, gel polish, or even acrylics. Acrylics are great because you can't bite through them.
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/08/24 9:56pm
I hate the anti nail bite stuff
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NeptuneCrystalz!!
07/31/25 4:43am
Wear stick-on nails or acrylic nails to break the habit!
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WikiCloudRunner442
10/24/24 11:16am
Try covering your hands or nails. Wear gloves or put tape, stickers, band-aids over your nails. When you go to bite them, the barrier will help remind you that it's a habit you want to break.
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WikiToadDiver848
10/23/24 9:09am
Nail biting typically satisfies two distinct “urges:” the need to do something with your hands, and the need to do something with your mouth. So, find something that will occupy your hands and mouth that isn’t nail biting. You could chew gum and play with a fidget spinner, or bite on a toothpick while snapping a rubber band against your wrist. At some point, the urge to bite your nails will go away and you can stop whatever you’re doing to distract yourself.
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Anonymous WikiPanda
Anonymous WikiPanda
11/08/24 9:59pm
the rubber band one works good cus it hurts.
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WikiCowMooer346
07/30/25 3:31pm
There are specific types of nail polishes for this problem. They're made to taste really bad in your mouth, and are also clear in case you don't want to have your nails coloured. A lot of my friends have used them before, and they tell me the polish works really well.
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WikiMountainCat42
10/21/24 8:16am
Try to be mindful about what triggers your urge to bite your nails. I used to bite my nails when I was nervous, but keeping my clippers nearby and trimming my nails every few days worked for me. If your nails are short, you won't be as tempted to bite them when you're stressed out. Carry nail clippers or a nail fie around and trim or file your nails whenever you get the urge to bite them.
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Anonymous WikiWombat
Anonymous WikiWombat
02/18/25 11:33pm
What worked for me was starting with just ONE nail. I stopped myself from biting just one of my nails and soon that one had grown out longer than the others. The urge to keep my nails symmetrical helped motivate me to stop biting the rest of my nails after that.
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Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Never cut your nails too short as it can be painful. Only cut until you can see no more of the white free edge.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Don't pick up the habit of picking your fingers instead of biting them, as it will have the same result.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Cut toenails straight across so you're less likely to get painful ingrown toenails.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Wear an elastic band on your wrist. When you get the urge to bite your nails, snap the band on your arm. It stings, but you'll associate the pain with biting your nails so you'll eventually stop. Also the band keeps your fingers busy if you're bored or nervous!
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
If you go through one whole day without biting, give your self a reward! Get yourself a piece of candy or a small treat so you have something to look forward to.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
After filing your nails, remember to soak it in warm water because the dust on your nails will make it look messy and dirty
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
After finishing your nails put a top cover of clear coat to keep your nails healthy and strong.