After decades of trying to quit nail biting, I finally did it! In this post, I share four things that worked for me to break the habit – permanently.
In some non-food news of the biting-but-not-chewing variety, I quit nail biting!
I realize that to most people this isn't exactly Christmas card-worthy. But as a person who has tried many times over the years to stop, it's no small feat.
I have now gone 6 weeks without biting them. Since they say it takes 30 days to make a habit, I'm counting this as a very positive sign.
When I look down at my hands, I kind of can't believe they are mine. The tips are long and white. They are strong and sturdy.
I'm able to do things I've never done before - like start peeling an orange without the help of an orange peeler, easily find and pull up the edge of tape, remove a sticker from fruit, retrieve an ice cube out of the tray instead of jostling them loose by kind of throwing the tray into the air…
There are some things that I didn't even realize I was doing differently than others because, unlike them, I had no nails to help me.
Even just scratching an itch feels a little more satisfying. And my cats have never been happier with their cuddle time.
See, I had been biting my nails for a very, very long time.
I started when I was in kindergarten.
I'd seen other kids biting their nails. I remember thinking it was odd. I didn't really get the compulsion.
But then it was time to get my nails trimmed once again. And I didn't like the sensation or the feeling that I had no choice in the matter.
It was then that I remembered those nail biting classmates and decided to go that route instead. After all, I wouldn't have to get my nails clipped anymore if there was nothing there to trim.
And in that way it worked. No clipping was necessary.
Then over the years, nail biting became a kind of release. It was somehow relaxing.
If I was stressed, bored, lost in writing, caught up in a book, or even mindlessly watching a TV show on the couch, I'd bite my nails and it would take the edge off of any tension.
I think that's part of why it was such a hard habit to break. It isn't truly problematic like smoking. As habits go, it's a fairly innocuous (although unattractive) one.
So that makes it tough to stop doing something that provides stress relief and isn't causing any long-term damage. (There are sites that point to tooth damage because of nail biting, but I didn't experience it.)
Many times over the years I tried to stop biting my nails.
Whether it was because of wanting my nails to look nice for a school dance or thinking it would be fun to join friends for a trip to get a manicure, I couldn't seem to quit nail biting.
Sometime around age ten I bought some of that nail bitter solution that is supposed to make you stop, because the terrible flavor is a deterrent. Instead, I just pushed through until the horrible flavor was a memory.
In college I got fake nails, thinking that after I had them removed I'd be over it. Instead, it made my nails weak, wavy, and impossible to grow.
Over time I had an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the fake nails and gave up on them.
New Year after New Year I resolved and then devolved.
When I read that most people quit by age 30 and I still hadn't, I thought it might just be something I did forever.
On my wedding day, I simply let my photographer know not to bother with the typical ring/hand shots. I knew I'd never be framing pictures of my bitten up nails.
Then six weeks ago I was at a gathering with a woman who had a lovely French manicure. I complimented her on her nails. She asked why I didn't get one too. Kind of embarrassed I said, "Oh, I can't."
"Why not?" she asked.
"I'm a nail biter."
I offered up my hands, showing that there were no white tips to paint.
On the drive home that night, it occurred to me what a silly reason that was to not have something I wanted.
There are lots of things we deny ourselves because we can't afford them, or don't have the time or resources. But there couldn't be anything I am more in control of than whether or not I have long, pretty nails.
Like so many changes that we set out to make, until we believe it, it can't happen. It made me wonder where else I'm not giving myself things that I could, assuming it's impossible when really I'm the one setting myself up to not experience the changes I desire.
In this case, it's about nail biting. But the same could be said for any number of changes we seek in our lives. How many ways do we define ourselves that are limiting?
Want to quit nail biting? Here are 4 things that worked for me!
1. When you feel the urge to bite your nails, refocus your attention.
Instead of biting, slather on moisturizer, clean your nails, or paint them a bright color with cruelty-free nail polish.
Even though I'd shied away from nail polish in the past, a bright color reminded me to stop. Plus, I didn't want to inadvertently swallow nail polish while nibbling on a nail.
2. If you get a snagged or split nail, don't risk using your teeth to fix it.
Instead get a nice nail file. Smooth the nail with the file, going in one direction.
3. Don't let a broken nail get you down.
Life happens. There are going to be breaks along the way. Don't let that be an excuse to level the playing field on the other nails. Just smooth it out and let it go.
4. At the end of each week that you make it through without biting, treat yourself.
I've been building up a little collection of cruelty-free, non-toxic polishes and rich hand moisturizers. After all of these years of not playing this particular variety of "dress up," it's fun to indulge.
Have you ever quit a bad habit or created a new healthy habit that before you'd thought impossible? How did you do it?
Amy
Congrats Cadry! I hope your nail biting journey is still going successfully. I’ve been up and down on my own journey with my nails as well and your article just resonated with me. It really is silly denying yourself something so seemingly simple but the truth of the matter is that it has to happen when you’re ready to make it happen.
So I tried again. I tried stopping my nail biting. Like you I’m a 30 something girl with a history and an urge to do better and your article helped me realize that it’s ok, and more importantly that I’m not the only one. It’s December of 2018. I haven’t bitten my nails since the end of September. With a strict hand and nail lotion/ tea tree oil regimen and a small army of nail files I’ve been doing ok. Already I’ve seen major improvement in the short time I’ve been working on this and I’m proud and happy and thankful to you for sharing your personal story. I used to have awful nails, non-existent even, with some down to the nail bed and exposed to the quick. Like you fake nails just didn’t cut it. No Bite nail polish and hot sauces were no match. I suffered for years, since I was 5, after I found out I was adopted, and let myself spiral through a series of bad habits. Only now, with a safe space to call my own and surrounded by people I trust and love have I been able to truly give myself the self care I needed to help myself. I had to get over in in my head and make the conscious decision to persist. Today I happy to say that they’ve grown out covering the nail beds entirely and they’re almost to end of my fingertips. This is minor to some but for me it’s a huge victory. My husband says I’m doing great and he’s seen a huge improvement in my attitude too. I hope to continue this trend. When I think I might start to nibble I grab a file and my hand lotion and re-read your article which I’ve bookmarked and tell myself I can DO this until the urge passes. My kids see the improvement in Mommy’s hands and they are fascinated and happy about it too. Truly, you’ve saved me in a way. I am indebted to you. You remind me it can be done and I pull strength from that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Alex Newell
Hi I’m glad I came across your forum. I too have been a nail biter for 40 odd years and now have nails to be proud of. I love looking down at my hands and thinking wow are they really mine. I kept mine short for the first couple of months so that they didn’t break and mosturised them everyday and protected them with a nail hardener. Most months I have a shellac polish on them which I love and it keeps the urge away.
Cadry
Congratulations, Alex! That’s a big achievement.
Jessie
I am almost 4 weeks without biting my nails after 28 years doing so.. What helped me initially quit the habit if hands to mouth was playing with a stress ball my daughter had made from a balloon and flour. I tried to think of all the times I would aimlessly bite my nails.. Like while driving or reading or watching tv. At those times I decided to just play with the stess ball instead. After just 10 days or so I saw a noticeable difference in my nails to the point where I didn’t need the stress ball as much. I do still carry one in my car and one in my living room, because I never know if I might get that urge. But I definitely felt keeping my hands occupied with some thing else helped tremendously!
Cadry
That’s great, Jessie! Going four weeks without biting after 28 years is a big accomplishment. What a good idea to use a stress ball to distract yourself from that habit. Best of luck going forward!
Matt
I’m a 31 year old male and was a nail biter since kindergarten as well. Decided about 2 weeks ago to stop biting my nails, cold turkey, and did not think it would be as easy as it is. I now have nails for the first time in over 25 years lol
Cadry
That’s incredible, Matt! Well done!
Kara
Thank you for this! I’m a nail biter, and I’m tired of having not so nice looking nails. With Christmas coming up, I’d really love to be able to walk into a salon and just get a good old mani, no fake tips or anything like that. I want my nails to look nice for Christmas and hopefully for times to come after that!
Cadry
Good luck, Kara! I hope that these tips work for you. It’s now been three years since I quit nail biting, and I know that you can do it too. A Christmas manicure sounds like a really good goal.
ERIN JONES
HI THE MY NAME IS ERIN. IM A NAIL BITTER. IM TWELVE YEARS OLD.I NEED HELP I REALLY NEED AND I REALLY WANT TO STOP. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS BECAUSE I COULD REALLY USE THE HELP. EVERY TIME I LET MY NAILS GROW THEN I GET THIS URGE TO BITE THEM THEN WHEN I BITE THEM I LOOK AT MT NAILS AND I FEEL ANGRY AT MYSELF. I STARTED BITING MY NAILS WHEN I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. THE REASON I BITE THEM IS BECAUSEI USED TO LIKE THIS BOY IN MY CLASS SO I WASNT THINKING CLEARLY THAT TIME SO I FIGURED THAT IF I BIT THEM HE WOULD LIKE ME. I USE TO HAVE NICE LONG NAILS . UNTIL I BIT THEM. SO CAN I PLEASE GET ADVICE.I REALLY WANT TO GET MY OLD NAILS BACK BECAUSE I HATE THESE NIGHTMARES I HAVE NOW
ERIN JONES
I would really like to stop and i could really use your help how long does it take to grow back?
Ewurabena
I am 16 and I’ve been biting my nails since age 1 so you can just imagine how short they are.You have really inspired me and I wish my nails would be long as yours.Please help me grow them within 2 months.
Sammy
I’ve been biting my nails and the skin around my nails for as long as I can remember. Basically until I bleed or until it hurts so bad I can’t keep doing it. It’s embarrassing and painful and I’ve tried to stop many times..a handful of times I was successful but then fell back into bad habits after a few weeks. I also have a lip biting problem. It’s obviously connected to anxiety .. And I feel like it’s some kind of weird release when I get to bite my nails or skin. I do it all day long when ever my hands aren’t busy doing something else, and when they are, I switch to my lip. I’ve tried everything, all those steps provided, even bitter polish.. It seems like it’ll never get better.
Rimona
My problem is new. I am 59 years old and I never done this before. What’s happening to me?
I know it’s bad, but I don’t know what I’m stressing about. So, how can I stop it! I polish my nails
every two weeks. I’m pretty good at keeping my hands groomed, but for some reason, I have started
doing this 5 months ago.
Carly P.
I’m 15 years old and I bite and chew on my nails. Being a teenager, I get easily jealous of other girls around me. I would look at their beautifully painted nails and beat myself up about it. In the past, I’ve gotten my nails long and was so proud. My mom would buy special nail polish and make them look great. When I broke one though, I’d bite the rest off. Unfortunately, I found it satisfying and continued to chew despite it breaking my heart. I’ve tried so many things to break this ugly habit yet nothing seems to work. Your post has inspired me, especially the one about the about your wedding. I realized I won’t be this young forever and I won’t have those little yet important moments like others will. I’m sorry you had to go through this terrible habit but I applaud you for beating it. Thank you again!
Srishti001
I have had same experiences…..Not being able to paint my nails because then it would catch people’s eye and they would know how disfigures and ugly my nails were. I knew it was a bad habit, but ended up doing it anyways. resisting the urge to bite my nails was a huge task and as soon as my attention would drift away, my nails would touch my teeth as if they were lovers who couldn’t live without each other. So I gave up, but you gave me a really big boost. I am gonna try hard again ang use the tips you gave….Thankyou!!
Bridget
Great article! I go through phases of non-biting, and what typically launches me into one is using nail polish. Eating the nail polish has never been a deterrent for me, sadly, but wearing it seems to thicken my nails and make them stronger. I read somewhere once that nailbiters subconsciously will feel around for imperfections on their nail tips and then try to even them out with biting– if we aren’t finding those imperfections we aren’t likely to bite. It’s also a lot more difficult / less satisfying to try to bite off a piece of a thick, hard nail. I like to use 3 coats of nailpolish- starting with a clear coat of Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails has worked well. Hope you are still abstaining from biting Cadry, and good luck to your readers who are trying to stop!
Steven
My name is Steven, and I’ve been a nail biter since about age 4, when my parents would clips my nails when they were too long. Just like you, I would bite to avoid the out of control sensation of the clippers. I’m now 19 years old, and I still bite. I bit today. I bit in the past hour. But I just read your story and felt a switch go off in my head telling me to not bite. Biting is a subconscious habit: I’ll be sitting on the couch and out of nowhere realize that my nails (or what bits have grown) are gone. This I’ve attributed to my ADD and perpetual anxiety. At times I’ve thought of myself as the only one in the world with this issue. I constantly imagine myself with nice hands and ever too often find myself hiding my fingers in the presence of others. Reading your story made me realize I can finally stop. I SHOULD stop. I can be a success story like you. For this I thank you for coming out and writing this. You are the light in the dark that is helping others such as myself gain the confidence to break the habit.
Jordyn
I am 13 and about to be in 8th grade this August and I want long nails, but it is so hard to stop!
Caroline
I’m 25 years old, almost 26 in a couple months. I’ve been biting since I can remember, but I don’t remember why. Boredom? Frustration with something? Not wanting the clippers? Whatever the reason, it’s been at least 20 years. I have 7 fingers that are grown out, but I can’t seem to get the other three to grow. I wake up everyday and tell myself “It’s a new day. And you’re not going to bite your nails, you’re going to find something else to do instead.” Also, we have some stuff at a local drugstore called “Stop Nail Biting” by Sinful Colors. It smells strong, and tastes awful! I don’t even want to lick my fingers after eating something when it’s on! I’d guess it’s only been a few weeks since I stopped biting on the 7 fingers, but I need some strong willpower to stop with the other three!
Megan
I am wondering if you had weak nails after biting them for so long? I have been a nail biter for as long as I can remember, and am finally working on this. If I keep them polished with colored polish I don’t bite them. Almost 2 months now, but I notice they are weak and split easy.
Cadry
Good question, Megan! My nails are pretty strong, but they do split at the sides more easily than I’d like. However, my mom’s nails are like that too, and she’s never bitten them. So I wonder if it’s a hereditary thing. Congrats on going 2 months without biting!
Christine
I once stopped biting my nails in 2012 by getting expensive manicures with a hard-to-chip polish. Once they were long enough to be normal looking, I started painting them myself. THEN work went down the stressful rabbit hole and those nails didn’t last. I’m working on it again (a few weeks without a nibble!) solely because I might have some important photos in my near future. I’m glad I’m not alone at almost-30 with this slightly gross habit!
Cadry
Good for you, Christine! It can be an ongoing battle since your hands are always with you, and in times of stress, it feels like there are bigger concerns than a little nibble here or there. I hope your hands look great for your photos!
Caitlin
Well done and congrats! I love that colour by the way, very pretty nail varnish and it looks great. 🙂
Cadry
Thank you! I’m having fun trying out some new colors!
An Unrefined Vegan
Congratulations!! It’s so hard to break those long term habits – but you’ve done it! I was also a nail biter and yes, somehow it was relaxing. Not sure how and why I stopped, but it just kind of happened. Anyway – gorgeous hands and nails, girl!!
Cadry
Thank you, friend! I appreciate it!
Emily Hawkes
Awesome! I gave up biting my nails for a while – tips 1 and 2 were the things that worked for me. But somewhere along the line I reverted back to old habits. This is making me resolve to quit (again) 🙂 Thanks for the motivation!
Cadry
Good luck on trying again! I’m rooting for you! Let me know how it goes.
Emily Hawkes
So far so good – tempted now so I’m painting my nails 🙂
acookinthemaking
I am really, truly impressed–I’ve been biting my nails since before I can remember, and unlike you, I didn’t even have a reason to start. Once or twice I’ve been able to grow them out a little bit, but this doesn’t last for two reasons: 1) they always break and even after filing I am tempted to bite, and 2) my nails are just plain ugly. It’s true! Even when the white part is long, the nails don’t look long and nice like yours because of my short fingers and stubby, round nailbeds. It’s so frustrating!
You are right though that we set ourselves up not to experience the changes we desire. If I want to be someone who doesn’t bite her nails, it is totally within my power to do so! I may try the refocusing tip you provide; I think moisturizing when the “urge” hits might actually have an effect.
Cadry
That must be frustrating to have the self-control not to bite your nails, only to have them break afterwards. I can see how it would be difficult to keep going if your nails are fighting against you.
I have a hard time imagining that your nails are just plain ugly! I’ve always liked short fingers, but it’s probably one of those things where we always like something that’s different than what we have (i.e. girls with straight hair who love the look of girls who have curly hair).
Let me know if you give it a try again! Using the energy/focus that I would have spent on my nails, only in a new and healthier way, really helped. I hope it works for you too!
cookeasyvegan
I don’t bite my nails but I also don’t take very good care of them — I wish they looked like yours. Maybe I could break the habit of neglect. 🙂 When I was 10, I was still a thumb sucker, which as you can imagine, was very embarrassing. The dentist said if I didn’t stop I would ruin my teeth, so I used the force of will power to quit. (I’m very stubborn!) I can still remember having what felt like muscle contractions forcing my thumb to my mouth, and fighting against them. Whew.
Congratulations on your success — it’s hard to stop compulsive behaviors. I’ve tried to break the habit of touching my face — it’s the best way, next to hand washing, to not get sick.
Cadry
That’s good that you had the wherewithal to stop sucking your thumb as a ten-year-old. Much better than lifelong dental issues!
Thanks for the well wishes and good luck with breaking the habit of touching your face!
Hannah
Congratulations! I’m also a nail biter, and definitely applaud your feat!
Cadry
Thanks, Hannah! That’s nice to hear!
Lisa Mai
I don’t bite my nails but I bite around my nails if that makes any sense? I remember being 5 and starting to bite my nails but my mom told me that if I kept biting my nails, my heart would stop, and it would mean that I didn’t love her anymore. Obviously, naive 5-year-old me stopped immediately.
Congratulations on quitting nail biting =) Your nails look great! (This is coming from a Vietnamese girl who’s family is almost exclusively in nails)
Cadry
Aw, that’s sweet that you stopped biting your nails because you didn’t want your mom to think you didn’t love her! I bet you didn’t step on any cracks either for fear of breaking her back. 🙂
Thank you for the compliments on my nails! Much appreciated!
Andrea
This sounds exactly like me! I also heard that most people stop by age 30, and so I’m really trying to make an effort this time before I hit the big 3-0. Keep it up!
Cadry
Best of luck to you, Andrea!! Keep me posted on your progress!
jill332
Way to go….it can be extremely hard to break nail-biting. I am a pediatric speech language pathologist and I have a positive behavior modification program to help kids eliminate thumb and finger sucking. Oral habits are very challenging habits to kick! Part of my program is rewards so I’m glad you gave yourself rewards throughout and stayed positive. I also give kids “helper” bags with toys to keep their hands busy and gum/mints to keep their mouth busy…same principle as your #1…refocus attention. Good job:)
Cadry
Thank you for chiming in! It’s really interesting to get your perspective, coming from a speech language pathologist vantage point. That’s interesting that you’ve used similar rewards and refocusing with your students.
Knowing how hard it’s been to stop nail biting definitely gives me a lot of compassion for people who have had difficulty stopping smoking. Not only do they have a similar kind of oral habit that is used as stress relief and/or social connection, they also have the addictive component of nicotine.
greatveganexpectations
Well done Cadry, your nails look gorgeous, you’d never guess you spent decades chewing at them! Your whole post really resonates with me; I’ve chewed my nails ever since I can remember, and always shrugged it off as a harmless stress-relieving habit though I’ve always secretly been pretty embarrassed about it. I love your idea of celebrating with a nice bottle of polish, I might join you in that as I am also making progress but don’t have any cruelty-free nail polishes!
Cadry
Thank you for all of the kind words! I’m so glad my post resonated with you!
I’m relieved that my nails have been growing in so strong and healthy. After so many years of biting, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they were weak or thin. It makes it a lot easier not to bite them since they’re growing in so well.
I totally know what you mean about not taking the habit too seriously since there aren’t any real health consequences with it and the only negative is a cosmetic one. However, I’ve been surprised at how much better I feel about my hands and the first impression that I’m giving now that my hands look well manicured. I didn’t think I was harboring negativity about them, but now whenever I see my nails I feel good about them. And when I take pictures for the blog or for other writing work, I don’t feel like I have to hide my nails anymore. That’s a good feeling!
Good luck breaking the nail biting habit if you decide to try! I’ve been surprised at how easy it’s been to find cruelty-free polishes locally. Of course, if you look online there are tons of them!
Shell
I’ve known you since you started biting your nails and I can’t believe those are your nails! They look amazing. That has to be even more inspriation to keep it up!!!
I can’t think of any bad habits I’ve quit at the moment, but I’m sure you could remind me of a few. 🙂
Cadry
Thanks, Shell! It really is fun being able to look down at my hands and see pretty nails that look so different than my hands have ever looked before.
The first habit of yours that you’ve quit that comes to mind is dropping soda! Since we both had a big Pepsi habit once-upon-a-time, I’d say that’s a pretty great one! 🙂
sarahem
I’m an inveterate nail biter, but I think you’ve inspired me to make a solid effort to quit.
Cadry
Best of luck to you!
Ali
I am 58 and have bitten my nails all my life. I vowed that THIS year was the year to stop. Thanks for your story and motivation.
Cadry
That’s great, Ali! I believe in you. It has been almost 4 years since I wrote this post, and I have stuck with it. I stopped biting them for good. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen for me, but I finally made it over the hurdle. Best of luck to you!
Karen Kramer
I’ll be 64 this year and am going to make a real effort to stop. I started when I was younger as I became diagnosed with Asthma when I was 4 and during an attack I started picking at my cuticles then started biting to calm me down and help to relax the attack. My worst areas are my thumbs, I can’t seem to leave them alone. KK
Cadry
That sounds very stressful, Karen! I can understand why you’d look for a way to self soothe from something like that. Hopefully you’ll find other ways to relieve your worries. Best of luck!
Cadry
Congratulations on going three weeks without biting your nails, Allison! I’m sorry that tragedy hit your family. I can definitely understand how easy it would be to fall back on a soothing habit during a time of stress. That’s happened to me in the past too.
Ive
Ali, I’m in the very same situation (and coincidentally same age). Hats off to you, Cadry! Indeed, your nails are beautiful now. I’m absolutely desperate. I’ve tried and failed innumerable times… I believe that so many years of abusing my nails (especially 2 of them) weakened and traumatized them for ever. Ali, I wonder if now, 6 months after your resolution you managed to become and remain a non-nail-chewer.
Kristy
Congrats, Cadry! That is so awesome! It must feel very freeing to finally have let that go. So happy for you!
When I was younger, I was a hair chewer. I used to pull pieces of my hair around and stick it in my mouth when I was bored or trying to concentrate on things. It probably lasted until about 8th grade. I never realized I was doing it really, until I noticed the tips of my friends’ hair weren’t always wet like mine. I remember having to focus very hard on not doing it and I began twirling my hair instead. I don’t remember when I stopped doing that. 🙂
Cadry
Thanks, Kristy! I’d bitten my nails for so long, I really didn’t think I’d ever be able to quit. I’m loving the feeling of looking down at my nails and seeing them looking so feminine and well-manicured.
That’s interesting about the hair chewing/twirling. I remember seeing girls in school who did that too. That’s great for you that you were able to stop so effortlessly.