Do you find yourself compulsively chewing away your fingernails — maybe even without realizing you’re doing it? For 20 to 30% (or more) of Americans, nail biting is a behavior they can’t stop on their own. Preventive medicine physician and wellness expert Sandra Darling, DO, shares when the habit warrants more than just a nail-biting deterrent polish. Show
Q: When is nail biting a problem that needs medical attention?A: If nail biting causes physical harm and psychological distress, then professional treatment is necessary. Usually, the person knows the behavior is problematic, but they can’t control it on their own. It is important to seek help if the behavior is affecting mental and physical health:
Q: What’s behind chewed-to-the-nub nail biting?A: For most people, nail biting is an occasional thing. When people can’t stop the behavior on their own, doctors consider it a type of body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). We refer to chronic nail biting as onychophagia and we don’t fully understand the cause (though there may be a genetic component). We do know that people with these conditions often have onychophagia as well:
Q: Are there specific triggers for onychophagia?A: The behavior is typically automatic — people don’t realize they’re doing it. Chronic nail biting often has a self-soothing quality (it provides a sense of calm), so people may use it as a coping mechanism. Sometimes, a hangnail or nail imperfection could spur someone to excessively groom the nail. Their goal is to improve the look of the nail, but unfortunately, the nail often ends up looking worse. They don’t intend to self-harm — it’s a grooming behavior run amok. Other triggers could be boredom, needing to concentrate or a stressful situation. Q: How do people stop biting nails?A: Doctors classify chronic nail biting as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder since the person has difficulty stopping. People often want to stop and make multiple attempts to quit without success. People with onychophagia cannot stop the behavior on their own, so it’s not effective to tell a loved one to stop. While you want what’s best for them, reprimanding only reinforces their feelings of being flawed. It can make someone feel worse and further fuel the behavior. With repeated effort and self-care, people can get closer to recovery. We usually recommend a combination treatment approach that includes:
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February 5, 2020
Nail-biting! A bad habit that begins at childhood and affects approximately 30% of individuals across all age groups. It is also a cringe-worthy habit that can have you hiding your fingers every time you are in public. But the shame is not half as bad as the damage it does to your nails. That begs the question — is it possible to stop biting nails? If yes, how? Read on to get the answers to these questions and explore the various ways you can fix the damages that years of biting have done to your nails. What Causes Nail Biting?People bit their nails for a million different reasons. However, the most common cause is anxiety. Studies suggest that the habit helps relieve the tension and stress associated with anxiety. But other than anxiety, nail-biting has also been associated with boredom, hunger, and tiredness. How to Stop Biting Your Nails1. Identify Triggers and Cultivate MindfulnessEven the most chronic nail biters don’t do it all the time. They do it when they are faced with a particular situation. If you bite your nails due to anxiety, learn to identify when you are stressed or tensed up. To do this, you need to start being more mindful of your environment and feelings. For instance, learn what tends to trigger your anxiety the most. 2. Apply Bitter-Tasting PolishBeing mindful will help you snap out of it, but it's not enough to help you resist the temptation of biting your nails again because bad habits die hard. To discourage yourself, apply bitter-tasting nail polish. This way, every time you want to bite your nails without realizing it, the bad taste will help you snap out of it. 3. Make Regular Manicures Your ThingIf the idea of having bitter-tasting nail polish doesn’t tickle your fancy, then you should consider making manicures part of your routine. The idea of biting nails after spending your hard-earned money on them will help discourage you. How to Repair Damaged NailsBiting your nails will not only make them grow weird but also damages the cuticle. It also exposes your cuticles to the bacteria found in your saliva and increases your risk of a fungal infection. The good news is that it's possible to repair this damage by following the tips below 1. Keep Your Nails Short and ShapedNail-biting causes your nails to grow in a weird shape. The first step to getting them back on track is to cut them short and then file them in a rounded shape. This will not only ensure they grow the right way but will also prevent split nails. 2. Apply Cuticle OilYears of nail-biting will dry out and damage your cuticle as well. The first step to getting them back on track is to nourish and moisturize them. Use a cuticle oil formulated with essential oils such as the Elon essential cuticle oil with almond. It penetrates deep into the nail plate to restore the natural oils that help keep your nails and cuticles moisturized. 3. Take More Veggies and Fruits and Don’t Forget Nutritional SupplementsJust like any other body part, you need to provide your nails with the raw materials they require to repair themselves. In that light, take plenty of veggies and fruits as they are rich in antioxidants and will fight the fungal infections. Also, take nutritional supplements such as the Elon Matrix for healthier and stronger nails as it contains the nutrients needed to help increase keratin levels. Nail-biting is a common yet tough habit to stop. However, it's possible to break free and get your nails back to their best shape by utilizing the tips above. Check us out for more tips on how to keep your nails in tip-top shape. Medically Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on January 18, 2022
About half of all kids and teens bite their nails. Many don’t grow out of it, either. If you’re an adult who bites your nails, you may have done it when you were younger and just never stopped. It could be your parents’ fault: Scientists aren’t sure if nail biting is genetic, but kids whose parents bite their nails are more likely to bite their nails, too. Studies show this happens even if the parents stop doing it before their child is born. Sometimes, nail biting can be a sign of emotional or mental stress. It tends to show up in people who are nervous, anxious or feeling down. It’s a way to cope with these feelings. You may also find yourself doing it when you’re bored, hungry or feeling insecure. Most nail biting is automatic -- you do it without thinking. Nail biting won’t typically cause permanent damage. But it definitely has its downsides: You may not see a change overnight, but with a little time and effort, you can bust your nail-biting habit. Try these tips:
If you’re having trouble with the cold-turkey approach, take it a little at a time. Set small goals for yourself. Try to stop biting the nails on your right hand for a week. Or start even smaller: Choose one nail not to bite, like your thumb. Once you’ve kept it up for a while, put another nail in the “no-biting” zone. Keep going until all your fingers are off-limits. If you still struggle after trying multiple methods, talk to your doctor about whether therapy’s a good option to help you get to the bottom of the problem and take nail biting out of the picture. |
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