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Quit the Habit: How to Stop Biting Your Nails & Improve Your Nail Health

Written by: Ellie Simmons

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Time to read 9 min

Nail biting is a common habit, especially among kids. But for adults, it can be embarrassing and frustrating and sometimes even lead to infections. So, how can you stop it?


For many people, their nail biting tendencies have followed them from childhood into their adult years. It's often done without even realising it, whether it's during moments of stress, boredom or just out of plain habit.


While it might seem like an impossible task to overcome, there are ways to break the habit – and it's important that you do. Not only can biting your nails damage the appearance of your hands, but it can also have negative effects on your overall nail health.


To help you quit the habit, we've put together our best tips and techniques for breaking the nail-biting cycle.

Possible Reasons Why You Bite Your Nails

As with any habit, there are usually underlying reasons behind why we do it, and figuring out what those reasons are can be really helpful in putting a stop to it. After all, you can't fix a problem if you don't know what's causing it.


There are surprisingly a large number of reasons why someone might bite their nails, and many of them do start in childhood or adolescence. But some of the most common ones include…

  • Genetics – As with a lot of things, your nail-biting habits may be inherited from your parents or other close relatives. Growing up in a household where nail-biting is common may also increase your chances of picking up the habit.

  • Stress & anxiety – Nail-biting is often a way to release tension and anxiety, particularly in stressful situations. It can be a subconscious coping mechanism for dealing with overwhelming emotions.

  • Boredom – Tend to find yourself biting your nails when you're feeling bored or idle? This could be because nail-biting provides a temporary source of stimulation and can help alleviate boredom.

  • Perfectionism – People who strive for perfection may be more prone to nail-biting as they may see it as a way to smooth out rough or uneven nails. Skin-picking or popping pimples may also fall into this category.

When it comes down to it, nail biting is often an unconscious habit, meaning you do it without even realising it – this is part of what makes it a hard habit to break.


Finding ‘better’ habits to replace nail biting can help, but this can often be more of a crutch than a cure to nail biting. Consider noting down what you were thinking, feeling or doing when you notice yourself biting your nails and see if a pattern emerges.

Is Nail Biting Common?

It's thought that around 20 - 30% of the population bite their nails, so it's by no means an uncommon habit. However, it is more common in children and teenagers.

How to Stop Biting Your Nails: 5 Ways That Work

Breaking any habit can take time, so it’s important to have patience and not expect to see any big changes overnight.


Acknowledging the reason why you bite your nails can massively help you to stop this habit. For example, if you think your habit is linked to feeling stressed or anxious, try finding alternative ways to cope with these emotions.


You can also use nail-biting remedies to deter yourself from biting your nails.


What we're trying to say is, there isn't just one magic solution to stop biting your nails. You may need to try a few different techniques before you find what works for you.


Some of our top tips for stopping this habit include:

#1 Keep a Diary Of Your Triggers

Most people will have triggers that cause them to start biting their nails. Since nail biting is often an unconscious habit, identifying triggers can be challenging, but you essentially should just note down the times when you find yourself biting your nails.


Were you sitting around waiting for something? Were you thinking about something stressful? Were you trying to concentrate on a task?


By keeping track of these triggers, you can start to notice patterns and find ways to avoid or cope with them. This can help break the automatic response of nail biting.

#2 Trim Your Nails Down

The shorter your nails, the less there will be for you to bite. This can make them less tempting and less rewarding when you do bite them.


You don't necessarily have to trim them right down to the skin, but keeping them short and neat can help reduce the urge to bite. Short nails are trendy now anyway, so it's a win-win situation.

#3 Use a Nail Biting Deterrent

Nail-biting deterrents are great little products that you can apply to your nails to make them taste unpleasant. They usually come in the form of a clear polish that you can brush on, just like The Bite Stuff.


It tastes awful, but it's completely safe for your nails and skin. The bad taste will remind you to stop biting and reinforce the fact that this is a bad habit that you want to kick.


You can apply this once in the morning, and again after washing your hands to ensure it stays effective.

#4 Do a Builder Gel Mani

Using Builder Gel is a brilliant hack to get yourself to stop biting your nails. The thick gel will essentially create an overlay on your natural nails, so you won't be able to bite them.


Not only does this act as a barrier, but it promotes nail growth and strength.


You can also paint a gel colour over the top or create nail art, which you can switch up every 3 weeks when you need to infill or remove the Builder Gel.


Or, if you like to keep things natural, our Clear Builder Gel is perfect for you. You can still have the added strength and protection without any colour.

#5 Use a Stress Toy

Keeping your hands occupied can help to break the habit. Consider replacing nail-biting with a stress toy you can squeeze and play with.


This can help use up some of the restless energy that can lead to nail-biting. Some other good options include fidget spinners or playdough.


Fidget rings are another popular one, and there are some really pretty ones out there that can actually double as jewellery.

What Are the Health Risks of Constantly Biting Nails?

Whilst there’s usually no risk of serious health issues resulting from nail-biting, some complications can arise from the habit.

Infection

It can lead to open wounds on the skin, which then come into contact with bacteria in the mouth.

This can result in infections of the nail bed or surrounding skin and, in severe cases, may require medical treatment.

Ingrown nails

Constant pressure on the nails can cause them to grow irregularly and become embedded in the surrounding skin.

This can be painful and may require professional treatment.

Weakened & damaged nails

Constantly biting nails can make them more prone to breakage and splitting. This can be both a cosmetic issue and a source of discomfort.

Negative impact on your teeth

The frequent pressure and contact between teeth and nails can wear down the enamel, leading to weakened and sensitive teeth.

Biting can also cause misalignment of the teeth over time.

How to Heal Your Nails After Biting Them

If you've been a chronic nail-biter, it's likely that your nails have suffered some damage. The skin around them may be ragged, and the nails themselves may be brittle or weak.


It's important to give your nails some extra care and attention after breaking the habit of biting them.

Create a Nail Care Routine

Establishing a regular nail care routine can help improve the health and appearance of your nails.


Trim them regularly, clean under the nail bed, and use a moisturising hand cream to keep them hydrated.

Use Cuticle Oil Daily

Using a cuticle oil will also help to nourish and protect your nails, like our Sweet Almond & Nail Cuticle Oil.


Cuticle oils contain essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can strengthen and repair damaged nails. Simply apply a small amount to the base of each nail and massage it in.


A nail treatment serum can also be used in conjunction with cuticle oil for extra hydration and repair.

It's important to note that you shouldn't apply cuticle oil or hand cream before painting your nails. You can use them after, but not before.


This is because the oils and creams can create a barrier between your nails and the nail polish, preventing it from adhering properly and causing your manicure to chip or peel off easily.

Get the Proper Nutrition Into Your Diet

In addition to caring for your nails externally, it's also important to give them proper nutrition from within.


Foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, salmon, and avocados, can help strengthen your nails.


Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated will also contribute to healthy nail growth.

The Takeaway: How to Put an End to Your Nail Biting Habit

Whether you've been biting your nails for 20 years or just picked up the habit recently, it's never too late to put an end to it. You'll need to have a bit of self-discipline, but with the help of our tips above, you can break free from nail biting and achieve strong, healthy nails.


Remember to keep your nails well taken care of with proper trimming, moisturising, and using protective products. But don't forget about the power of a good, balanced diet and staying hydrated, too!


You can shop our The Bite Stuff, Nail Treatment Serum, and 5-in-1 Builder Gels below, along with the rest of our nail care essentials to nourish and protect your new bite-free nails.

FAQs

What happens if you bite your nails too much?

Long-term nail biting can result in scarring and damage to the skin around the nail. It can also cause damage to the teeth and jaw and, in more serious cases, infection in the nail or mouth.

Will my nails recover from years of biting?

Provided the nail bed is undamaged, your nails should recover even after years of biting. It may take a few months for nails to heal, depending on the level of damage done by biting. Nail care products help to hydrate and strengthen your nails, which leads to healthy new growth!

How quickly do nails grow in a week?

The rate at which nails grow in a week can vary from person to person. Factors that affect nail growth include age, the time of year (nails grow quicker in the summer) and overall health. Typically, nails will grow around  0.7mm per week

Is nail biting a mental health disorder?

Nail-biting can indicate some mental health disorders, with doctors ascribing the habit to conditions like OCD, anxiety or ADHD. If you are concerned about your mental health, you should talk to your doctor about getting help.

Can you use Builder Gel on bitten nails?

You can most definitely use Builder Gel on natural nails, and it's a brilliant way of protecting nails that have been bitten. Just make sure not to apply the gel on broken or infected skin, and only onto the nail plate. 

Ellie Simmons

Ellie is a Brand Ambassador for Mylee. Alongside being a skilled and certified nail technician, Ellie's expertise extends to gel manicures and nail extensions.


Her heart and soul are devoted to all things nail-related, and she loves flaunting her own long, natural nails with captivating nail art. Ellie's ultimate favourites are iridescent and sparkly designs!

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