Nail biting

[bleedoutlove]

Hey everyone :)
Basically... I bite my nails. Badly, probably more than anyone you've ever met in your life, and I have loads of toenails missing and halves of fingernails missing. As you can imagine, it hurts like hell. 24/7.
So I was wondering if I've done so much damage that they can never recover? I hope not - I'm 13 and applying for the Army at 15 and want to be in top, healthy order and want to prepare now.
So have you got any tips for stopping, and is there a chance I've done permanent damage? Thanks :)

[Syvelocin]

I don't think any permanent damage you may have done would be all that critical. I think the only concern would be the appearance of your nails. I bite my skin and all it's done is make my fingers uglier as well as cause me pain.

I used to bite my nails. I don't know if this works for everyone, but I just kept my nails painted. I don't like the taste of nail polish and I didn't want to ruin my pretty nails. And by habit, I got rid of the habit. They have more affective things you can buy and put on your nails that taste like crap to discourage you from biting your nails. Or you could go the plaster route, put plasters on your fingers. Or keep gloves on whenever you can. It probably helps a little bit at least, as long as you can discipline yourself to not take the plasters/gloves off.

[bleedoutlove]

Thanks a lot :)

[Love.Hate]

The nail polish one doesn't work for me, I'm still trying to quit. But I think if you distract yourself with something else it's always good, like chewing gum.

(although thanks Rith I'm going to try the plaster thing)

I hope you manage to stop biting them :)

[Distorted Dreams]

My little brother started biting his fingernails pretty badly when he was somewhat younger and my mother didn't like it and told him to stop, but he didn't... So one day she came home with a little pot filled with a disgusting bitter liquid and dipped his fingers in it. Every afternoon she dipped his fingers in it. And the next thing you know is that my brother stopped biting his fingersnails in over 2 weeks. Haha

Maybe this is some kind of stimulation?

[bleedoutlove]

I've tried that but to no avail, I've no luck but thanks and good luck to everyone else :)

[christcenteredlife]

nail biting can be very bad. it can lead to infection and as you mentioned, pain. it can also lead to ingrown nails. luckily, nails never stop growing so you can't permanently damage them, they'll just grow back, but you can make them much weaker. to solve that problem, there is a nail polish out (you can get at any pharmacy or major store; wal-mart or walgreens) that helps to harden and grow nails. i was told by my doctor, they'd rather me crack my knuckles then bite my nails because of the possibilities that can come from biting nails. i'm also a nail biter and have never been able to stop. to the sounds of it, i'm nowhere as bad as you. i tend to bite my nails when i'm bored, but i also cut my toe nails way too short on a regular basis.

every time i start letting my nails grow, i get sick of it and end up biting them off. i also can't have them too long because i'm a guitarist. playing the guitar helped me stop biting them to the point of pain.

i'm sorry i don't have any real advice, but more simply facts and experience. i hope this helps, at least somewhat.

[Rawrgasm]

you can buy something from the drug store (Chemist) which you paint onto your nails which makes them taste bad if you put your tongue on them.

good luck

[Solvez18]

im on the computer all the time so it helps me stay distracted

[Mrs. Mustache]

I have the same problem. I told my mom it was driving me nuts and she bought me this wacky nail polish. It tastes HORRIBLE. When you bite, you literally need to wash your mouth out, and it helps.Also, I tried putting fake nails on for a while, giving my real ones a break. The nail polish is called Kick the Habit, Stop the Bite. I got it at Wal Mart. And answering the other part of your question, no, you did not cause permanent damage. Your nails will be shorter when you are older, but nothing permanent. Also try keeping your hands busy or trying to stop one nail at a time. :) Hope this helps. Im on my way to long nails again.

[ShatteredWings]

bump from august