Nail biting is one habit that mostly begins in childhood and can seem next to impossible to break. This can stem from anything from stress to OCD. Nail biting is both unattractive and socially unacceptable. It reaps havoc on your teeth, nails and gums. Still, there are solutions that may work for even the most extreme nail biter. Let’s take a look at some of those here.
Statics say that half of youth today are nail biters, but 3/4th’s of those nail biters will kick the habit by their mid-thirties.
Whether you are biting your nails due to nervousness, an unconscious habit, boredom, stress or a condition like OCD, you can stop. There is a medical name for nail-biting called onychophagia. Some even bite to the point of bloody nails and causing infections. This is a health issue and not one of physical appearances alone.
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Think about it, if you are breaking skin you are transferring germs from your mouth to the blood stream and onto the nailbeds. The only thing germier than you mouth is maybe your hands. Those germs are being taken into your mouth. That is quite a transfer.
Ladies have the lucky break of being able to fake it till they make it. It is a good idea for you to go ahead and get acrylics until you have successfully stopped biting your nails. If you want to skip the files and damage to your nail beds you can get a quality false nail and glue to do them yourself with minimal damage. They key is to cover the nail, and falsies are a lot more attractive than bandages.
You may want to consider therapeutic solutions and relaxation techniques as well. Sometimes it is anxiety and in more severe cases you may be suffering from a form of OCD. Herbal teas and aromatherapy are great ideas, and guys can go in for regular manicures.
Look, appearances mean a lot on today’s society. The majority of us try to look our best most of the time. If you are a chewer then that can be a difficult task. Not only does the act itself totally gross people out, but the appearance of your hands can ruin even the most put together do.
Some people say that visualizing your success is beneficial. You have to fight the urge to bite as soon as you realize you are having it. When you are an unconscious biter putting something bitter on the nail will help to bring it to your attention when your hands go to your mouth. Your local drug store may have polishes, oils or creams designed specifically to stop biting. In worst case scenarios a dentist may be able to fit you for a guard to prevent further damage to teeth and gums.
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Try using a stress ball to keep your hands busy. You may want to go for a little more productivity and take up a hobby using your hands instead. Chewing gum is a great idea as well. The thing is that thought there is no one size fits all solution, but once you find out why you are biting quitting becomes a whole lot easier. This is especially true is OCD is involved and professional help is needed.
You will succeed, and when you do don’t forget to treat yourself for a job well done. Please share your nail biting solutions, struggles and success methods with us in the comments section below.
