I can't stop biting my nails!  Any suggestions?
458321
Try putting nail polish remover on your nails, but make sure it has bitrex in it.  That's an additive they put in the stuff to keep little ones from ingesting it.  There are also other things you can put on your nails to help keep you from biting them, but I can't remember what they're called.  Also, fake nails seem to work for some people.  As for the bitrex stuff, I had been taking off some nail polish and forgot to wash my hands afterwards and had my finger in my mouth for some reason (I forgot why) and OMG, it was horrible!  Personally, I think that if that stuff won't keep your fingers out of your mouth, then there probably isn't much else that will.
25775
There are several approaches you can take.  One is to cut your nails short and keep trimming them as they grow back.\n\nAnother approach, which is one that worked for someone in my family, is to get a something you can put on the nails that are being bitten that makes them taste bad. I think the owner of the nails told me that the substance made them taste bitter.\n\nThe document listed as a Source for this answer has ideas on what you can use. They recommend hot pepper sauce or lemon juice.\n\nIn the case of my relative, they used a liquid that came in a little bottle that I guess came from a doctor or a pharmacy that was made for this express purpose. Not nail polish or anything toxic, of course.\n\nI could be mistaken because it has been several decades but I think I remember looking at the bottle and it said something like "Thumb" or "Thumbb" on it. I cannot find the product by googling at the moment though.
952133
Have you tried keeping them constanly polished?  I stopped biting my nails by using nail polish.  I don't want to ruin my nails when they're polished.  As soon as the polish chips, I repaint right over the old color.  I've been doing this for 10 years and my nails are now long and healthy.  But, if I go even a day without polish, I start biting again.  So, I just always keep them polished.
30378
Try looking for clear nail polish that gives your nails calcium and strength. A careful diet also helps to strengthen your nails. Maybe even get pedicures. It may help!
817343
I fell your pain - i have been doing that my entire life as well.  It's linked to OCD.\nIt's a habit and needs to be broken like any other addiction / habit.  This one is hard, since half the time we don't realize we're doing it until we bite too deep and get a little pain back.  \nA few ideas are aversion therapy -  buy a bottle of the stuff they make so people will stop biting their nails and apply it to the skin around the nails.  If you can't find that, you can get a bottle of bitter apple spray, which stops puppies from chewing and spray it on your hands.\nTry keeping a journal or everytime you catch yourself doing it.  Log what you were doing, what your state of mind was and what triggered it, it you know.  Often we do this as a response to stress or boredom.  \nKeep track of when you don't do it.  Reward yourself for not doing it.  Start with not doing it for 1 day, then increase to two, indrease to 3, and so on.  The experts say it takes at least 3 weeks of not doing something to break a habit.\nGet a manicure - getting your hands to a nice looking state may help you stop (if you're a guy, you don't have to get nail polish put on to have a manicure.)\nHide any tools you use - or better yet, get rid of the all together.  I admit that i've spent some quality time on my hands with a pair of tweezers.  \nThe thing that really made me stop was when i got braces on my teeth i just couldn't physically do it no the habit's faded since then - not that i'm promoting this expensive treatment for skin chewing alone - it was just a nice side effect of getting my teeth straightened.\nAnd finally - know that you are not crazy and you are not alone.\n\nGood luck
1127121
Stop itching right away. Find an anti-itch cream or powder. You're damaging your skin. There could be a whole slew of microbial germs underneath your fingernails. At the very least, scrub your hands and nails thoroughly and as often as possible. Use a anti-bacterial soap and a nailbrush.\nEducate yourself with some dermatology basics. You'll be amazed what you can learn. Someone said earlier, your clothing detergent and bleach may be suspect. They're right. Never sacrifice quality when it comes to detergents.\nMany times also, there could be furniture with unseen mites which could irritate the skin. Vacuum often using hepa filters. Steam clean once in a while. Try changing your bedding linen with more frequency. Good Luck.
634952
one way is to wear nail polish...or make her nails look really pretty with a manicure or something...that way it'll look too good for her to bite!\nanother way is to buy one of those things that you paint on your nails and it tastes nasty when you bite on it
844517
I am 22 and have been biting my nails since I first got teeth.  I have tried everything and nothing has worked: fake nails, hot sauce on my fingertips, rewarding myself...nothing has worked...but maybe he'll grow out of it.
857720
You may have an infection. Try soaking your nails in a warm salt water rinse. See if that helps at all. As well, put soem ointment antibacterial such as polysporin on it to prevent infection too! Hope this helps. If it doesnt get better get to your doctor, you could have a fungal disease. Good Luck girl!
47313
Cutting your toenails.\n\nPlease, talk to a professional if your considering self-mutilation.
494766
I started biting my nails as a small child, being stressed at school, carried on all my life until I had false nails put on - the tips variety, it cost me alot of money in maintenance, but I had the confidence back in my hands and wasn't ashamed to wave them about, after several months I had the tips removed, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my real nails underneath, two years on, I still haven't bitten them. And so enjoy a manicure and wearing rings.
473609
live life and enjoy every moment,thats the biggest stress buster.if you love doing everything theres nothing to hate.all in all indulge in yourself...holidays to pedicures do it all.as a part of your life.\nand never do anything you dont want to do. say no you will be much happier.
233594
I had the same problem.  Try Orly nail Defense.  It strengthnes your nail.  Believe me, I tried everything but this one really works.  It might take 2-4 weeks to see result.
79953
There are nail biting deterrents in the form of fingernail polishes.  They have natural ingredients that form a bitter taste when ingested.  If your will power is great enough to keep your nails coated in the special polish, then you won't bite them anymore because of the horrible taste they'll leave behind.\n\nYou can do any internet product search for nail bite (biting) deterrents, or probably find products available at a beauty supply store.
520803
There are such products such as ill flavoured nail polishes. Go to walgreens and buy some. It helped some people I know.
1084866
Eat lots of protien(jello,egg whites,fish) that will strengthen and feed your nails.
65971
continue to do things with your hands. i had the same problem. I will always paint my nails and have lotion on my hand witch can make them taste bad too. I will do things like scrapbook or do in home projects to keep my hands busy.