Hands off! 7 tips to finally stop biting your nails

About 30% of the population has this habit, and this includes not only children, but also adults. We will find out why people bite their nails in general, what it can be fraught with and whether it is possible to somehow get rid of this tendency.

Many people say that biting your nails is a bad and dangerous habit. This is not entirely true, but rather an ugly habit that, under certain circumstances, can lead to infection or transmission of the virus.

Why do people do it

Surely, if not you, then one of your friends is inclined to bite his nails. According to psychologists, this is a self-soothing behavior that is on a par with lip biting, hair pulling and, in general, frequent touching of the face. People do this to calm down when they are upset, too concentrated, and sometimes just hungry. At the same time, not everyone often notices that they have been doing this for quite a long time. The habit of biting nails, as a rule, is laid down in childhood. Many experts at the same time suggest that this feature is of a genetic nature.    

Why it might be harmful

Of course, if you occasionally bite off something that gets in the way around the nails or the nail itself, if it is hooked, there is nothing criminal in this, although it is still better to use a manicure set. However, when it comes to a severe problem and you bite your nails constantly and too enthusiastically, then you increase the risk of infection. Compulsive nail biting is called onychophagia and can damage both the nails and the skin around them. This can lead to a bacterial infection of the nails, which requires antibiotic treatment. Not to mention the fact that a lot of microbes accumulate on the hands and nails, and if they get into the mouth, the risk of contracting viruses and various other infections increases.

How to get rid of a habit

1 Determine the cause In solving any problem, determining its cause is of great importance. Try to solve it and thus the bad habit will disappear by itself. If you do this whenever you feel negative emotions, just take a deep breath through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth to release the negativity. 2 Keep your hands busy It's very simple. If the hands are busy with something, then there will be no opportunity to bite your nails. If you are bored or excited, do needlework, read, stroke your pet, finally start cleaning the house. It will bring much more benefits. 3 Put something on your handsIf the desire to put your fingers in your mouth is too strong and not always controlled, put on gloves. Of course, wearing them all the time is not always possible, but at least occasionally it can work well. In the summer, you can simply cover some of your fingertips (which you especially like to chew on) with a band-aid. 4 Take care of your nails Take care of your nails and cuticles regularly. Carry a manicure set with you to adjust the nuances if necessary, use nail and cuticle oil. Do a professional manicure and choose a short nail length. So the desire to nibble them will be less tempting. 5 Apply a coating with an unpleasant tasteSome nail polish brands are now offering colorless finishes specifically for those who like to “hang on" their nails. It has a very bitter taste, which will also help reduce cravings to chew on them. Structured Manicure: The Perfect Technique for Nail Biters 6 Carry Gum or Hard Candies Try to always carry gum or refreshing hard candy. If you want to bite off a nail, put a tasty helper in your mouth – this will distract and keep you busy for at least a few minutes. 7 See a doctorIf you are too addicted to a bad habit and are faced with a skin or nail infection, consult a dermatologist who will help you not only eliminate the unpleasant and painful process, but also give recommendations on how best to get rid of the tormenting habit. Sometimes a psychologist or psychotherapist is involved in solving the problem. Don't worry too much if you have a habit of biting your nails. However, it is better to make some efforts and try to get rid of it, so as not to aggravate the deficiency and not get an infection.