Help I Can't Stop!!!!

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by TatumsMom

I have this same problem with my almost 13 year old daughter. We got her to break the habit one time when she was 4 by telling her that I would paint her fingernails for a wedding that she was going to be in IF she could stop biting them long enough to have to clip them at least twice. She did stop because she was so excited about the wedding and about getting all dolled up for it but then when she started kindergarten she started it up again. All I have to do is say "fingernails!!" to her and she'll stop (for the moment) but start up again. It's such a habit for her that she doesn't even realize she's doing it. One Halloween she was an M&M and the costume had those hard rubber hand things. She actually chewed a hole in the rubber! We've tried the bitter stuff you paint on the nails.... no help. Her pediatrician told me a long time ago that I should not allow her to paint her nails if she's biting them and then maybe that incentive would work. It did the first time..... now, she just doesn't care. She's such a tomboy that the nail polishing "treat" just isn't alluring enough for her.

I used to bite my nails too when I was younger. You know what stopped me?? My mom finally allowed me to wear some minimal makeup, including some real light colored lipstick/lipgloss. I was so intent on that lipstick staying on that I stopped biting my nails. I knew if I put my fingers in my mouth, the lipstick would get rubbed off. Vain? Maybe! But it worked! If you do find a sure-cure, let me know! My daughter's habit is driving me nuts!!

That sux....hey atleast u got yourself to stop lol but I feel the same way like your daughter sumtimes I don't even care about painting them although Im not a tomboy but I bite them and I don't even realize until my bf tells me but when he's not around I chew them all off and the skin. They hurt sometimes.

[yorkies2b4u]

I have just ripped mine off last week and have chewed what little they have grown,they do hurt.,but does it stop me? Obviously not! I am so weird.

Well, I will go tomorrow for a whole new set. Wish I could figure out how to make the nails underneath stronger. No, prenatal vitamins do not work for me.

I wish I were blessed with long strong natural nails.

[Lou]

Hello, my name is Lou and I'm a recovering nail biter.
lol
I bit my nails all of my life up until 5 years ago. Here's how I quit. I took medical tape and taped just one digit. I allowed myself to bite the nine nails that were not taped. When that nail grew out I stopped putting the tape on it and coated it with clear nail polish. Then I taped a second digit. I then allowed myself to bite the remaining 8 nails. This went on (one nail at a time) until I grew all my nails out. I put polish on them every night but every third night I would remove polish first and put on fresh nail polish. This has worked for several of my co-workers. Always carry the tape, and a nail file or emery board with you. If you break a nail you will be tempted to bite the rough edges off and before you know it you will have it bitten down to the quick. Hopefully you will be able to file it instead of chewing on it. If you do bite it that way, then all you have to do is tape it and wait for it to grow out.

Good Luck!