Habio Blog
How to Stop Biting Your Nails: 6 Tips for Those with Onychophagia
Onychophagia, or, to put it simply, nail biting, is one of the most common bad habits a person can have. Get to know how to stop biting your nails forever.
Extra attention has been given to our hands this year, especially when it comes to frequent handwashing and sanitizing. We have been advised to keep our hands away from our faces because they are extremely susceptible to touching surfaces that can be contaminated by all sorts of bacteria.
How do people who bite their nails cope with this situation? Could this current pandemic be the reason for people with onychophagia to give up their habit?
Is nail biting a bad habit?
Nail biting is one of the most common things that people do when they fidget. It is most common during adolescence due to puberty, and nail biting could be a manifestation of stress. Though many adolescents outgrow the habit, there are still many adults who bite their nails in times of stress.
Is nail biting a bad habit? Since it is common, some people believe that it is normal and harmless. This could be true; however, it might also be useful to know that Onychophagia, which is the medical term for nail biting, is listed in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as a form of compulsive, repetitive, maladaptive, and/or abnormal behavior.
Nevertheless, do not be overly concerned and jump to the conclusion that you have a severe issue that needs to be fixed if you have a habit of nail biting. Onychophagia is only considered abnormal and/or maladaptive if the habit is excessive and interferes with normal, regular, and daily functioning.
If you believe that you or someone you know has developed an excessive and maladaptive form of nail biting, you should inform your medical practitioners as they will know how to help you better.
Is nail biting a bad habit? Since it is common, some people believe that it is normal and harmless. This could be true; however, it might also be useful to know that Onychophagia, which is the medical term for nail biting, is listed in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as a form of compulsive, repetitive, maladaptive, and/or abnormal behavior.
Nevertheless, do not be overly concerned and jump to the conclusion that you have a severe issue that needs to be fixed if you have a habit of nail biting. Onychophagia is only considered abnormal and/or maladaptive if the habit is excessive and interferes with normal, regular, and daily functioning.
If you believe that you or someone you know has developed an excessive and maladaptive form of nail biting, you should inform your medical practitioners as they will know how to help you better.
Why do people bite their nails?
One of the important things to think about when it comes to this habit, as well as other compulsive and repetitive behaviors, is the reason why people engage in it. So, why do people bite their nails? There must have been a reason it started before it became a hard habit to break.
Concentration
When people are focused on something, they may engage in other behaviors absentmindedly. When the fidget-spinner rose in popularity in 2017, many people believed it boosted concentration. Similarly, some people bite their nails unconsciously as their concentration deepens or vice versa.
Anxiety
It is normal to have nerves in the face of an important life event or during a difficult situation. Anxiety is defined as "an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure." Sometimes people get that worrisome feeling bordering on a "fight or flight" response. When the choice is not to fight the situation nor to flee the environment, some people may resort to stress-relieving behaviors like nail biting.
Boredom
Some people feel uneasy when they are bored. A lack of stimulation may stir up some tension, and nail biting could be a natural response for some. Such a response may be conscious, especially when they look for something to do, like biting off a hangnail or straightening out a crooked nail. But over time, for those who have developed the habit of nail biting, the behavior becomes automatic and unconscious when they have nothing to do.
Perfectionism
It may seem difficult to see the connection between perfectionism and nail biting. Perfectionism is defined as "a personality trait characterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards." So, it is easy for perfectionists to be frustrated and dissatisfied when they fail to reach their standards. Therefore, nail biting helps perfectionists reduce their feelings of frustration or release some of the tension brought about by the "imperfect" situation.
Proven tips to stop asking yourself,
"Why am I so thirsty?"
"Why am I so thirsty?"
It is not easy to break a habit overnight or just go cold turkey when you feel like it, but with patience and focus, you can cease your nail-biting urge for good. Here are six proven tricks on how to stop biting your nails.
1. Replace your nail-biting habit
with a more positive one
with a more positive one
Think of other options to resort to when you are bored or anxious or if you need to concentrate. Divert your attention to a more productive response, such as playing with a fidget spinner, doodling, knitting, or even doing nail art. You can start writing down a list of what you can replace nail biting with. The idea is to keep your hands and fingers busy.
2. Cut your nails short
It can be quite painful when you bite into your skin rather than your nails, so it would be a good idea to keep your nails short. You might also consider having a nail clipper accessible to you the next time you have the urge to bite your nails.
3. Use a nail biting polish
There are lots of products on the market these days that can help you stop biting your nails, such as a nail biting polish. Most of them have an unpleasant, usually bitter taste that will make you want to keep your nails away from your mouth. These chemicals are generally harmless, non-toxic, and even suitable for children.
4. Coat your nails with something spicy or bitter
If you cannot find a nail biting polish, you can try coating your nails with something spicy like jalapenos or capsicum. You could also try something bitter like bitter melon or some cruciferous vegetables. Again, the idea is to keep your nails away from your mouth.
5. Understand why you bite your nails —
find your trigger
find your trigger
According to former nail biters, one of the best ways to stop the habit is to find your trigger. The secret, therefore, is to be mindful of the situations and conditions that trigger your bad habit. A good way to do this is to keep a journal so you can evaluate and understand when you resort to nail biting. This will help you think of other behaviors to replace nail biting with. For example, if you notice that you most often resort to nail biting when you are bored or anxious, you could devise an "escape plan" in order to avoid biting your nails or allowing yourself to feel bored or anxious. You can check out this article on how to reduce stress and anxiety while forming new habits.
6. Visit a nail salon
This can serve as a reward for keeping your nails away from your mouth. If you have managed to keep your nails undamaged and have refrained from biting them, it would be a good idea to get a manicure and feel good about the progress you have made. In time, you will have resolved to stop nail biting and look forward to your next nail salon appointment.
Summary
Nail biting is not necessarily a bad habit, but it is not a desirable one either. Even though you might not have something as severe as an infection, you may have unsightly bitten nails that can make you feel unhappy and embarrassed. But you do not need to feel hopeless about the situation, as you can retrain your brain and develop new habits. It takes deliberate action and effort to stop yourself from nail biting, and anything can be achieved with time and patience. You can encourage yourself to develop healthy habits and achieve attractive pain-free nails for life.
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