Content
Nail biting, known scientifically as onychophagy, is a habit that affects men and women, which can start from childhood and persist into adulthood, and is closely associated with anxiety and feelings of insecurity.
To stop biting your nails, it is recommended to control anxiety, which could be the root cause of the problem. However, there are some tips that can be followed to avoid this habit, such as:
1. Keep your nails well cut and sanded
Short nails avoid tempting tips, avoiding the habit. In addition, keeping your nails well done and painted, weekly, with a manicure, is also an extra incentive to want to keep your nails beautiful and avoid nibbling your fingers.
A good tip is to always carry a nail clipper in your bag. If you feel like biting a nail tip, the ideal is to use the nail clipper to lose your addiction.
2. Paint your nails with special enamel
Nail polish to stop biting your nails has a very bitter taste, which makes the person avoid putting his fingers in his mouth. They are colorless, suitable for men, women and children over 4 years old, and can be purchased at pharmacies.
There are several brands, such as Derma nail, Avon or Mavala, for example.
3. Apply fake or gel nails
Covering nails with false nails or gel nails, in addition to improving aesthetics, reduces the urge to bite them, because the person is afraid of damaging the manicure. Find out how gel nails are applied.
Another tip is to cover one or some of them with a bandage, and after a week, remove and see how the nail has become more beautiful and healthier compared to the others.
4. Get distracted by an anti-stress ball
Adopting a new habit that replaces nail biting, such as playing with an anti-stress ball or rubber band, for example, are ways to occupy your head and hands with new activities instead of biting your nails.
5. Chewing gum
Especially in times of greater anxiety or boredom, chewing gum is also a good option to prevent addiction.
6. Invest in a hobbie
Finding ways to relieve anxiety, such as listening to music, talking to someone, or engaging in physical activities after work, for example, can relieve anxiety and cause the person to have less mania and addictive habits, such as biting their nails.
7. Eat a balanced diet
In some cases, the habit of biting the nails can be a consequence of nutritional deficiencies, such as lack of calcium and / or magnesium, for example, which leads the person to bite the nail, in order to recover these minerals.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies. See which foods are rich in calcium and magnesium.
Why you should stop biting nails
Some of the main consequences of biting nails, which make it important to give up this habit, are:
- Emergence of injuries to the skin of fingers and cuticles, which facilitates infection by bacteria and fungi;
- Deformations in the nails, fingers and surrounding skin, which causes embarrassment due to aesthetic effects;
- Increased chances of developing gastrointestinal problems, such as gastroenteritis and gastritis;
- Difficulty to perform some activities, such as playing a musical instrument, drawing and writing.
The nails serve as protection of the upper part of the fingers, to assist in the pressure that is exerted with the fingers, and as a barrier for the entry of microbes in the body and in the blood stream, and, therefore, they must be kept well preserved to prevent the illness through contact with microorganisms. Know what to do to strengthen weak nails.