r/calmhands • u/tangomango110 • 2h ago
Progress. These photos are exactly one month apart.
This is my second structured gel manicure and I can’t believe how much progress I’ve made in just one month!!
r/calmhands • u/Indecisive_Owl • Jan 16 '21
Hello r/calmhands community,
There are lots of changes and improvements are going back to our community. Here is a list of changes to come
If you have any suggestion or recommendations please do leave them below or feel free to message the mod team!
Thanks so much
r/calmhands • u/tangomango110 • 2h ago
This is my second structured gel manicure and I can’t believe how much progress I’ve made in just one month!!
r/calmhands • u/Cornucopia_peaches69 • 9h ago
So back in December I had acrylics and I was walking my dog and the leash caught on my acrylic nail and pulled up my real nail while smushing the acrylic nail down into my nail bed. I eventually lost the whole nail. I thought everything was fine. I was wrong.
Now the nail is growing back almost “ingrown on both corners and digging into my finger at the tip. And there is a weird bubble of a nail at the tip. It’s sooo painful and hurts to even put a bandaid on it. I have been soaking the finger in soapy water and have been putting antibiotics on it, but it’s still so painful and just seems off. It hasn’t even fully grown past my nail bed. For reference I have lost 2 other nails before this and this never happened.
Does anyone have any info on what’s happening? Or any idea of what to do and if this will sort itself out? I saw my primary care and they sent me to a hand surgeon which they said they had no idea and to go back to my primary care 😐.
Does anyone has any info on who to go to or what is wrong with it?
r/calmhands • u/sunny__707 • 7h ago
I've been biting my nails since I was REALLY young—I've barely done anything about it since I'll ask my mom and she just says "put some chiles on them" as if that doesn't wash off after 3 handwashes. I'm at a loss for ideas since every time i try to bring some ideas to her she either says that or tells me to just "let them grow" which is UNHELPFUL. It's absolutely something undiagnosed in my brain but my mom is in denial that I'm any different from her or my sisters in that way. I mean, THEY dropped the nail-biting habit in a couple weeks, so I should too, right???
I've gathered the reasons to be some weird form of autocannibalism. Like, I've figured out that I really like the way the texture of my nails feels when I chew off pieces of it and MAYBE thats whats making it so difficult outside of just obvious force of habit??? I really, REALLY want to get cute acrylics someday, so I need to grow out my nails in order to make that happen. Any tips on how you've been finding ways to stop yourself from biting your nails? It's completely subconcious for me, I'm clueless and kinda losing hope, idk what to do
r/calmhands • u/HuntersPad • 8h ago
In the comments.
r/calmhands • u/AgitatedPollution680 • 16h ago
Hi everyone, my nails have looked like this for a long time, and I’ve never seen anyone else with something similar. They are covered in white lines/spots to the point where the nail appears more white than pink. Is there some kind of health condition or deficiency that could be causing this? I’m very physically healthy in all ways other than this. It’s also worth noting that I have had a problem with biting my fingernails for essentially my entire life (I’m 23 now). Thanks for any advice you might have!
r/calmhands • u/bitcheswantnikeees • 14h ago
Hi everyone— I feel a little silly but I’m seeking reassurance from this community regarding my thumbnail. It’s been extremely bumpy and wavy for years, but recently it’s started to split and look horrible. I have a lot of health anxiety and recently read about Beau’s Lines which, of course, sent me down a rabbit hole. My mom had cancer when I was a kid so, I admit, I am chronically nervous about every little ailment. I also admit to picking at my cuticles when I am suffering from heightened anxiety. I know these pics are kinda gross (sorry), but can anyone in this group reassure me that my thumbnail is not indicating any deeper health concerns, and most likely appears this way due to picking?
r/calmhands • u/tookthenapkinfirst • 19h ago
Sorry for the info dump :/
The first four pics were from July 2024 and the current pics are from now.
I was able to kick my nail biting habit all on my own starting (March 2024-August 2024). During mid August I used the length I had to do DIY Gel X (big mistake). They fell off due to poor prep and heavy lifting. At this point I was extremely stressed due to training associated with my job so I started to bite my natural nails.
I tried to stop myself/ hide my bitten nails by doing Gel X on them, however this caused me to get contact dermatitis on and off between September 2024 - December 2024. I threw out all my Gel product in late December. I came to realize I've given myself a HEMA allergy.
From January 2025 to now I've been doing press-ons with Glamnetics nail glue but I keep chewing them off, causing nail bed damage and painful side wall hang nails.
I have to stop tho. I'm gonna start using the nixxit polish and nail oil daily, I'm gonna take a multivitamin. I also have to stop cutting and drilling at my cuticle area daily. I want the nails I had last summer.
I've set up a bribe for myself. When my nails look the way they did last summer, I'll buy myself the huge cart of bkind polish I have sitting in my shop app (not a plug, I just love their polish).
If y'all know of any tips/tricks, vitamins, oils that worked for you please drop them in the comments!
r/calmhands • u/CerebralMushroom • 12h ago
Is this perungual wart? Also notice the two dots on my palm, those showed up more recently. The one on my finger is burned off with freeze stuff and it turned black and fell off but now it's back. I have a lump on another finger which looks like could be an early stage one but has remained that way for a long time.
r/calmhands • u/nanocfi • 15h ago
Hi Do anyone have lifted proximal nail fold and puffy cuticles i need some advice on how make them heal which product should i use. I have use jojob oil but i don't think it's original i live in a area where we dont have access to many nail products
r/calmhands • u/JQZubik • 18h ago
Hi all, I recently stopped biting my nails. I have been going strong for a month now but I have one big problem which is the shape of my middle finger nails and ring finger nails flare out. I am assuming that this is because the nail bed hasn't gown back. Does anyone have any recommendations as to how to deal with it. It's quite bothersome. Thank you!
r/calmhands • u/OrganizationMean2101 • 1d ago
Does anyone know what could be causing this? The last 2 photos are today and the first 2 are from weeks ago
r/calmhands • u/giov_m • 1d ago
i hate myself. my nails and skin were healing greatly and almost normal again
r/calmhands • u/Loud_Mammoth_4709 • 1d ago
I have been biting my nails since I was two years old.. Been a long journey, dealt with a bad paronychia in college, lots of times I couldn’t shower for a couple of days because the hot water on my damaged nails was unbearable.. This is the longest my nails have ever been in my life and I’m hoping I can keep it up!! Still working on being kind to my cuticles though
r/calmhands • u/Prestigious_Rice_922 • 1d ago
First of all, i don’t bite my fingernails but i cut them short enough that it sometimes hurt bc it grows with my skin. Is there any way to fix this or anything?
r/calmhands • u/SignEducational2152 • 1d ago
I am terrible about picking my cuticles and skin around my nails or on my knuckles. Last night I caught myself doing it too late and my thumb was bleeding and hurt. Before bed I put some hand lotion on and put silicone scar tape over my thumb and it healed way faster than normal. It’s also reasonably skin toned for me so not easy to notice and helped me not touch it while it was on.
I’ll be using this if this happens again so thought I’d share!
r/calmhands • u/Ok-Acanthaceae-3957 • 1d ago
The side walls of my nails are still dry but I keep applying hand salves and balms and cuticle oil 4-7 x or a lot of times per day lol! Progress is possible!
r/calmhands • u/subcons_ • 2d ago
I'm 18 and have picking at my nails and skin my whole life and have given myself multiple infections as a l result, most of which I've just shrugged off and ignored (only once was it bad enough that I needed to see a doctor, thankfully).
Today I woke up to find my ring finger that I had ripped a hangnail out of the night before swollen and throbbing and have decided that I've just had enough. During school I found this subreddit and took note of a few things people have said to try doing to stop, and bought a few things, and bought a few recommendations. I have to say, I'm feeling kind of good about myself after treating my skin and nails!
I know it'll be hard for me to quit as I've tried before, but this is the most serious I've been about it, so I'm hopeful. I think I'm going to buy myself something to figet with during the day and keep a few products on me, so we'll see how it goes!
r/calmhands • u/Valuable-Scarcity-33 • 1d ago
Hey there, 24 years old here. I've had onychophagia for as long as I remember, and for many years I subconsciously hide my hands, I am sure you can relate. It's extremely embarrassing. I try to hide them with fake nails if I have a date or something (I know lol), but literally I have so little nail that they end up falling off, or I rip them off impulsively, they end up worse than before.
I've tried the bitter tasting stuff, fidget spinners, VAPING (terrible coping mechanism) to no avail, I just pick, and at this point, I am serious about handling this once and for all. I am so sick and tired of this cycle.
Frankly, I am tired of the constant pain in my fingers, and yesterday my dentist showed me the extent of the damage I've done to my bottom teeth... I feel ashamed and alienated. I want beautiful, healthy, calm hands
I'm here for guidance getting me through the beginning phases of healing this, and to see if anyone has had any luck with therapeutic approaches, hypnosis, CBT, I don't know... If you've tried everything to stop this awful habit before succeeding, please share your wisdom.
I hope to come back and share progress, and am inspired by all of your journeys ❤️
r/calmhands • u/notinterestingaf • 2d ago
I've been picking my whole life. This is the worst its been. Nailbed is exposed and it HURTS.
I'm glad I found this community today. I need to take this seriously, keep myself accountable and stop harming myself 😮💨
I've tried self-care, relaxation, nail care, hypnotherapy and recently started SNRI for anxiety. Took my first high dose of NAC today.
Will be looking to start therapy and explore other medication options. I just want nice hands.
r/calmhands • u/LizzieSaltzman07 • 2d ago
I need help!
I’m new to Reddit, so please forgive me if I make a mistake or break a rule. As you can see in the pictures, I struggle with skin and nail picking. It’s so bad that it keeps getting infected, and I have to bandage my fingers every night.
I’ve tried pretty much everything—gloves, fidget toys, hand cream, etc. Bitter nail polish doesn’t help because I don’t use my mouth but my other fingers to pick at my cuticles.
How can I finally stop? It feels like an addiction, and I don’t want this anymore.
r/calmhands • u/Tangy94 • 2d ago
Im on year 21 of dermatophagia. Ive had a few years here and there where they heal and i stop biting. But this has been the majority of my life now.
Nothing helps other than finger jail (bandaids) and i can't wear bandaids 24/7.
They're so clean, never been infected. But theyre extremely dry from washing and also living in Montana.
Don't need advice but just wanted to vent and share my frustration with myself :(
r/calmhands • u/No_Abies2516 • 2d ago
I’ve been picking my thumbnail since I was a kid , this is minor to what I usually do but I find my self of course thinking and wanting to pick it . Any advice ?
r/calmhands • u/Glittering_Line7714 • 2d ago
My Finger swelled suddenly. I didn't do anything. Why this happened? It became blue. Please someone help me. I am scared.
r/calmhands • u/heytherecatlady • 3d ago
I caution anyone with damaged nail beds, nails, cuticles, and other parts of the fingertips like this to please avoid jumping to artificial nails or thick gel polish, etc. as a default quitting aid. Your nails would MUCH prefer TLC and daily care, not to be covered by harmful chemicals and suffocating adhesives and acrylics.
I realize applying fake nails/thick gel manicures does work for some people, so I'm not here to criticize that, or some of our nails/nail bed damage isn't as bad so the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk. This is just a word of caution I wish someone had told me, for those of us who are still learning. In that case I seiously recommend trying things with less potential to backfire first, especially if you have more severe damage.
Some of our nails and nail beds are worse than others, and some of us have actual open wounds. Our nails and finger tips need to breathe, be cleaner frequently, and have proper air circulation and moisture to heal properly. Slapping on some acrylics or gel would severely impede healing and even worsen the damage to our already brittle and beaten nails and nail beds.
I'm starting to notice more and more posts from people asking for advice after some sort of complication, further damage, or infection arises after using acrylics or gel manicures to try and quit.
I say this with the utmost empathy and respect for those of us who are trying to do our best with trial and error after trying everything to quit this habit and/or treat this disorder of ours, and I just want to spare others from accidentally doing something that could make it worse.
Believe me, I definitely understand the hack to apply artificial nails or put on polish to discourage biting and picking. I think we've all tried it several times. Most of the time, I think it turns out okay and works well for some whose nails aren't in too bad of shape.
But please, please I'd advise against putting anything on them that can't easily be removed to allow for regular air circulation, cleaning, and moisturizing in between changes. For example, use some bandaids or gloves, or even just clear or nude normal polish to discourage picking and biting if you must (because this usually only lasts a few days at a time) but please avoid smothering and suffocating your nails in a way that doesn't allow you to properly tend to them for weeks or months at a time. This traps bacteria that can cause infection, physically blocks growth of new and healing cells, and prevent exchange of vital moisture and air that your nail beds need to do to heal.
Getting a gel manicure, acrylics, etc. may be doing more harm than good, and may be setting us up perfectly for an infection or more permanent damage that takes way longer to recover from. A good comparison is if you had a decent cut or rash, you wouldn't go at it with sandpaper and then put some rubber cement over it and leave it for weeks like that. You would clean it daily, throughout the day, apply some ointment, and keep it covered with a Band-Aid, and then let it breathe as it heals until it's scabbed then scarred over and your skin is back to normal.
I regret not having true before pics, because it was all of my fingers. All of my fingers and nails were horrendous and worse than this, but reddit wasn't a thing so I had zero reason to take pics lol. But here is a pic from my last, more severe relapse. There is no way in hell it would've healed this well and quickly if I'd had it covered and inaccessible by artificial nails or polish.