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| Honestly, I couldn’t tell you when or why I started to bite my nails. It probably started off as a way to deal with stress. And to some extent, it’s still a go-to coping mechanism. But I also do it when I’m bored or while I’m focusing on a work project. I even chew on my fingers (I know, a vulgar way to describe this behavior) in front of friends when we get drinks — they’ve called me out on it on several occasions. |
| I’m 34 and haven’t kicked the habit. Below, I share some possible paths forward, though I’m very much looking forward to hearing about your tricks. |
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Appreciate you!
Kenny Thapoung
Managing Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Kenny Thapoung
May 16, 2025 • 3 min read |
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| Help! I can’t stop biting my nails |
| One time I chipped my tooth from nail biting, and so have others on the newsletter team. You’d think that’d be reason enough to stop. I love what my fellow newsletter editor Morgan Mandriota had to share: “As a kid, my grandparents used to try to bribe me with $10 if I could avoid biting my nails for a week. I never got the $10.” |
| Good to know it’s not just a “me” problem! |
| Nail biting actually has a scientific behavioral name: onychophagia. It’s a compulsive, chronic habit that affects 20% to 30% of the general population. |
| Below are some suggestions on how to stop biting your nails from the American Academy of Dermatology. (Some I’ve tried with short-lived success.) |
- Keep your nails trimmed short: I cut my nails frequently to resist the urge to bite. But then I end up picking the skin around it, which isn’t a healthy substitute.
- Paint or cover your nails: I’m pretty self-conscious about my nails (understandably) and worry that a nail technician will judge my fingertips. I could give myself a manicure, but I don’t have steady hands for pretty, even coating.
- Replace the nail-biting habit with a healthier one: I have an infinity cube — a fidget toy that folds and unfolds into a block. It works sometimes but it hasn’t become a long-term solution.
- Try to gradually stop biting your nails: This is something I haven’t tried before! Here, you’d start by resisting the urge to bite your thumb (or another finger). If you manage to succeed at that, then move on to another finger to stop biting. And then you continue along your hand accordingly.
People have suggested that I apply spice to my fingers to deter me from biting. Unfortunately, I love spicy tastes, so that wouldn’t work. Maybe I need to get over my anxiety of going to a nail salon and get a gel manicure, which will be very difficult for me to bite off. Knowing myself, I’d still try (and probably chip a tooth again). I’ve come to accept that this is “just who I am” and what I do.
But I’d like to lean on your support for fresh ideas to help wean me off this habit. Please share your thoughts to wellnesswire@healthline.com and hopefully, I’ll discover something new to experiment with. Thank you in advance!
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