Advice on a bad habit?

[Lupis]

Okay, might as well ask here.

When I was in elementary school I had a self-destructive (of a sort) habit of picking at the skin around my fingernails. It got to the point where I picked at it all the way up to the last (AKA nearest to the nail) joint on each finger, and each finger tip was red and flaky. I stopped at some point and my fingers healed up, but at some point in my Sophmore year of high school (I'm a Senior now) I started it up again. It's now been several years. I've resorted to wearing gloves in school at all times, just to avoid picking/biting, plus to avoid questions.

But it's getting a little tiring. x.x I don't mean to, but if I'm not paying close attention, I'll find myself biting at my fingers. Plus, well, biting. Biting = germs. While I have a strong immune system, I still know it's dangerous and unhealthy. But I can't constantly wear gloves, as they make typing and using a mouse/drawing tablet cumbersome and hard to do.

Any advice?

[Lisaara]

Hmm...well I used to bite my nails and the skin at the sides of my nails but never to a bad extent. Braces fixed the nail biting and my wisdom tooth that grew in side ways stopped the skin biting.

But for you...hmm...maybe a skin lotion that tastes awful?

[SpiritBinder]

I know this may sound kind of random, but when my kitten had an operation, we where given a clear odorless ointment to put on it that was to stop her licking it. I was a little dubious at 1st, and thought well if she licks it I'd like to know what it gonna do to her... so I tried it. It was so bitter and nasty you'd really think twice about trying it again. We were told it was completely non toxic and did no harm, apart from taste awful.

Maybe something like this could work? Just the smallest amount would work and after forgetting and munching just once, you'd certainly think twice about doing it again..

** Bah, jess beat me to it.

[Niabi]

If you don't paint your nails, I'd highly recommend using nail polish remover. The strong smell and taste should be enough to keep you from biting your nails. Just soak the tips of your fingers into a capful of the liquid to make sure you coat the surrounding skin as well.

You can get a small bottle to carry on you while you are at school so you can reapply after you wash your hands.

[Kalliope]

In addition to putting stuff on your nails, you could try to drill it into your conscious mind that you shouldn't do it, since it's the subconscious that keeps going for it out of habit.

Could always try drawing a picture of yourself with a Cone of Shame on and see if that helps. Mind over matter! *eyes her own nails* And hey, even if it doesn't work, you could always do commissions. xD

[cowmuflage]

I'd agree with the bad tasting stuff. But I can't say myself that it works with everyone It did not stop me. But I think mines more OCD related.

[Bulletdance]

Maybe replace it with something else? Try chewing gum maybe or mints.

[Lisaara]

In addition to putting stuff on your nails, you could try to drill it into your conscious mind that you shouldn't do it, since it's the subconscious that keeps going for it out of habit.

Could always try drawing a picture of yourself with a Cone of Shame on and see if that helps. Mind over matter! *eyes her own nails* And hey, even if it doesn't work, you could always do commissions. xD

*now pictures Loque wearing a cone with his head down shamefully*

[Makoes]

when my sister and I were little, we use to bite our nails...so my mom started putting tobasco sauce on our fingers, that stopped us pretty quick. So, yeah, put something nasty tasting on your fingers to dissuade yourself.

[Bonita]

I have this gross smelling and tasting wipe that I use on my cat to stop him from itching. I put it on the fingers of the girls I baby sit to make them stop biting their nails and on the youngest one to stop her from sucking her thumb. Its non toxic and the taste makes you want to puke. (I forgot to wash my hands after wiping down my cat, ate some fried chicken, and then nearly puked xD)

[Wain]

Maybe replace it with something else? Try chewing gum maybe or mints.

^^ This is what I was thinking too.

There may also be a reason for it. If you are prone to dermatitis on your fingers (which is pretty common, especially in people who get their hands wet a lot), then they'll get a bit scaly and you'll feel the urge to pick. That then keeps the cycle going, as the picking only inflames it more. The picking instinct is stronger in some people than others, though it probably has a perfectly natural and normal origin (picking at lice in our ancestors), and manifests more if you're nervous or a bit obsessive. But one thing that may help break the cycle is a cream to treat the skin condition, like a topical steroid.

[Meggers]

If you replace with gum get sugarfree stuff. Don't want to start getting cavities. But I agree that nasty tasting stuff is good, also possibly consulting a doctor to see what they suggest and to see if there is any actual issues with your skin like what Wain said.

My boyfriend has an issue with this and once the stress dies out a bit I plan on doing what I can to get him to stop picking at the skin so bad.

[Smyelmdar]

I agree that you should try putting something on your fingers, that tastes bad. But it might not work.
I used to bite my nails really bad. I mean really bad, and I tried that stuff you put on your nails. It did work for a while, but then I got used to the taste, and kept biting.. Then I tried another brand, and it was the same.
Luckily I just stopped biting them at some point some years ago, and I haven't done it since.
But I still think you should try some of the suggestions anyway. It might work for you.