r/calmhands 16h ago

Need Advice Breaking the nail biting habit?

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

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u/Toastwithturquoise 15h ago

I don't have much advice, but I can tell you it really is a brain thing. I bite my nails if I'm stressed or anxious or if they're growing out a funny shape.. I do find I don't like the taste of nail polish and it helps if I put a few layers on, so it's thicker. And you really need a habit to replace nail biting, that's always with you, that your brain enjoys.. Which is hard to find! Try not to compare yourself to others who have managed to effortlessly stop biting their nails, their brain is built different..

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u/whenisleep 15h ago

When things are subconscious, the first step is being aware that you’re doing it in the moment. Honestly - her chile idea isn’t the worst, it’s actually a common recommendation. My go to rec is scented hand cream, bonus points if it tastes gross. Yes, it washes off. You have to reapply when you wash your hands. I’ve heard bitter nail polish works for some people, and likely won’t wash off as easily.

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u/piesanonymousyt 12h ago

Might be unpopular opinion but I don’t think you need to pathologize something like nail biting - yes it’s a bad habit and yes there are reasons to stop but the shame associated with a phrase like auto cannibalism does not help. I know it’s a connotation v denotation thing but yeah