Nail biting is a common habit at all ages. Aside from the cosmetic effects, it causes painful hangnails, and damage to the cuticle can lead to infections in the base of the nail. In children, nail biting can play a role in the continuance of pinworm infections, and chewing of strips of nail can even damage the gums. Like all bad habits, the compulsion to nail-bite is hard to break, but fortunately there is help available.
Aversion Treatments for Nail Biting
Aversion treatments are based on discouraging the habit. Perhaps the most familiar are products that are painted onto the nail and release an unpleasant taste when the fingers are placed in the mouth.
In the past, these products contained harsh chemicals such as acetone, which can weaken the nails causing splitting and flaking. Much gentler alternatives are now available, such as Control-It! Anti-Nail Biting Cream. This treatment contains natural ingredients that give a bitter taste in the mouth, plus aloe and vitamins A and E to smooth the cuticles and help promote nail growth.
Mavala Stop is applied and looks like an ordinary clear nail polish, but has a harsh taste to deter nail biting. It can be worn on top of coloured polish, if desired. The manufacturers suggest applying their Nail Shield strengthener and sealer before beginning Mavala Stop treatment.
Hypnotherapy for Nail Biting
Nail biting is an unconscious habit – people often do not realize they are doing it until the damage is done. It is also thought to be made worse by stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy aims to tackle the habit from both angles, by providing positive alternatives to nail biting, and by helping people cope with stressful situations that act as a trigger.
Hypnotherapy to cure nail biting can be accessed through a qualified hypnotherapist or via self-help audio recordings, many of which are available for download from the Internet.
Other Nail Biting Solutions
- First, make a positive decision to change – no treatment will be effective without this essential first step.
- Identify when nail biting occurs (e.g. while watching television with the hands idle), to replace the subconscious behaviour with something else (e.g. sewing, knitting).
- If practicable, wear gloves at risky times.
- Use a stress ball or putty to occupy the hands in stressful situations.
- Keep the nails short.
- Apply polish – it makes the nails harder to bite and can feel unpleasant in the mouth.
- Always carry a nail file to remove rough edges – and the temptation to bite – as soon as they occur.
- Remove hangnails with cuticle scissors rather than biting them off.
- If the urge to bite is irresistible, bite the nail of one finger only (a little finger is best) to minimize the damage.
- As the nails start to improve, a professional or home manicure can reinforce good behaviour.
Nail Biting – Help is at Hand
It takes time and willpower to unlearn any bad habit, and stopping nail biting is no different. With the aid of the products and solutions described here – and a positive attitude – the process should hopefully be a little easier.
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