Stopping Nail Biting with Home Remedies
Contents
There are numerous adults and children who have the habit of nail biting. This is actually a compulsive habit and its scientific name is onychophagia. The strangest aspect about this condition is that numerous people don’t even realize the fact that they are biting their nails. The main causes for this habit are loneliness, anxiety, frustration, boredom or stress. Nail biting can also be a symptom for more serious diseases such as: separation anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nail biting doesn’t harm only the nails, but also the teeth and can also have emotional consequences. It can be quite difficult to break this kind of habit, but there are few natural remedies that can help you with this issue.
Neem Oil
This product has a very bitter taste and it can prevent you from nail biting. At the same time, neem oil has antiseptic properties and it is efficient in fighting the nail infections. Rub your nails with neem oil using a cotton ball. Let it dry and the next time you will want to bite your nails, the bitter taste will definitely stop you.
Bitter Gourd
This is another bitter remedy for nail biting. Crush a bitter gourd to obtain a paste and extract its juice by putting it on a sieve. Put your nails in that juice and let them dry on their own. Due to its bitter taste, you will be prevented from biting the nails.
Garlic
The overly-used garlic can help you with this problem too. This natural ingredient has a pungent aroma and taste that is not pleasant for too many people. Moreover, garlic has antiseptic properties and can prevent the infections, strengthen the nails and keep them clean. Garlic oil and raw garlic are both useful in this situation. Cut a garlic clove in half and use the pieces to rub onto your nails and fingers. Let the garlic cure for a couple of minutes and afterwards wash your fingers. The garlic taste will still linger on your nails and will prevent you from biting them. The garlic oil can be applied with a cotton ball.
Nail Biting Polish
Nowadays, you can find nail biting polishes in every store. Use them to quit biting your nails. These nail biting polishes also have a bitter taste that will stop this habit. You can even use a nail polish of a darker color because when it’s chipped it looks bad. This will also help you stop the nail biting.
Artificial Nails
If nothing else works, you can call on artificial nails. These products will cover your natural nails and you won’t be able to bite them anymore. Moreover, if your bitten nails look very bad, the artificial nails will cover them and make them look more stylish. Press-on nails, gels, wraps and acrylics are all artificial nails that you can use to get rid of this compulsive habit.
Other tips and tricks that will help you stop biting your nails are finding a new habit, using adhesive bandages, wearing gloves, having a professional manicure and trimming your nails as often as possible.
