How to Stop Biting Your Nails: 5 Practical Tips to Break the Habit

Nail biting is something that many people have a sordid relationship with. Whether it was a temporary phase or something you frequently find yourself doing, nail biting is a hard habit to break. 

Many people who struggle with nail biting find it incredibly frustrating to break the habit. There are tons of tips and tricks out there that don't actually work or explain the underlying causes. If you don't understand why you bit your nails, it's hard to effectively shake the habit. 

In this post, we will explore: 

• What does nail biting indicate? 
• Why do people bite their nails?
• Is nail biting a mental health issue? 
• How do I stop biting my nails?
• What to replace nail biting with? 
• Can fidget rings help you stop nail biting?

What Does Nail Biting Indicate?

Nail biting indicates underlying conditions, like stress and anxiety, that are affecting your overall well-being. It can also be developed as a response to boredom or the need to focus. 

While usually viewed as an annoying habit, nail biting can actually be incredibly destructive. It's usually developed as a nervous response and can indicate other mental health conditions. 

When it's a compulsive, destructive habit, nail biting is medically known as onychophagia. It is often found under the same medical umbrella as dermatillomania, also known as skin picking. 

Why Do People Bite Their Nails?

People bit their nails when they're stressed, anxious, angry, impatient, bored, lacking focus, and a multitude of other reasons. 

Many people develop the habit during childhood. While most people break the habit by adulthood, there are people whose nail biting developed into a destructive behavior. 

Understanding why you bite your nails is an important part of breaking the habit. When you know why you feel the need to bite, you can prepare for situations where you encounter your triggers. 

Is Nail Biting a Mental Health Issue? 

The short answer is that nail biting can be associated with body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs.) BFRBs can include skin picking, hair pulling, and nail biting. They can be the result of boredom and have also been associated with anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and tic disorders. 

Temporary nail biting is a regular part of life and usually isn't a cause for concern. When it becomes a regular, destructive habit, that's when it's time to take action. 

How Do I Stop Biting My Nails? 

Bitter tasting products and frequently trimming your nails are both common methods of breaking the habit. The severity of your onychophagia will also influence what methods work for you. If you have a severe case, you might consider seeking professional treatment to effectively break the habit. 

For those who want to stop on their own, these five methods are worth trying to break the habit: 

1. Bitter tasking products: There are non-toxic oils and lotions you can put on your full nail and around the cuticle to act as a deterrent for biting. 
2. Fabric gloves: Putting a physical barrier between you and your nails can help you break the habit. It's best to use gloves made from fabric, rather than plastic, so it's less likely that you will break through the barrier.
3. Keep your nails short: Regularly trimming your nails to keep them short provides less nail for you to bite. Make sure to frequently clip your nails to avoid falling back into the habit. 
4. Replace the habit: Find a non-destructive habit that fills the same need as nail biting. Keep reading to find some suggestions of what you can replace the habit with. 
5. Know your triggers: Understanding why you bite your nails can help you prepare for when you encounter your triggers. Have a plan in place for what you'll do when you find yourself starting to bite and stay aware when you're in those situations. 

There are many other methods you can try to break the habit. What's important is that you find something that works for you and helps your nails heal.

What to Replace Nail Biting With? 

Any non-destructive methods of fidgeting are great options for replacements. You don't have to break the bank and buy a bunch of new toys. There are plenty of other household objects you can use as replacements. 

Here are 5 examples of objects you can replace fidgeting with: 

1. Stress ball
2. Chewing gum
3. Nuts and bolts
4. Tearing paper
5. Fidget jewelry 

Anything that gives your hands or mouth something else to do should act as a good replacement for nail biting. 

Can Fidget Rings Help You Stop Nail Biting? 

Fidget rings can help you stop biting your nails. They offer a replacement for the need to bite your nails right at your finger tips. Fidget rings are beneficial because you can have them on you at all time and they are stylish. They allow you to subtlety fidget when you encounter your triggers and feel the urge to bite your nails. 

 "I resisted buying some type of fidget ring for so long, thinking it would do nothing to help my nail biting...but I was wrong! I finally bought one from CONQUERing and I'm currently a month into breaking my nail-biting habit."—Brittany, CONQUERing Customer 

CONQUERing's fidget jewelry can be spun, clicked, rubbed, and more. These functions fulfill your needs when you feel the urge to bite your nails coming up. Check out our full fidget ring collection to see if fidget rings can help you break the habit.