Nails Your Way

How To Overcome Nail Biting

Nail biting is a common habit that is quite difficult to break. It has been estimated that one in every four people bite their nails. Research shows us that nail biting rarely occurs before four years of age. Then, around six years of age, there is a marked increase in the number of child nail biters, and the figure remains constant until puberty. Boy nail biters seem to outnumber girls as the children get older. Statistics also show that one-half of adolescents bite their nails at some point and between one-quarter and one-third of college students say they still bite their nails.

Nail biting is the most common of the "nervous habits" that start in childhood, which also include thumb sucking, hair twisting or tugging, and tooth grinding. Nail biting is most common in over stressed children, tends to run in families, and is the most likely of the nervous habits to continue into adulthood. Nail biting has been linked to anxiety or boredom with older children and adults.

Like other compulsive behaviors nail biting is usually done to diminish anxiety. What makes this a compulsive behavior is that the individual is driven to perform the behavior even though their mind tells them it's damaging. In fact, most nail biters are not pleased with the effects of biting-they don't like how it looks or feels on their fingers, nails, or cuticles. Not only does nail biting ruin the look of the nails, it can also transfer infectious organisms from the fingers to the mouth and vice versa. Nail biting can also damage the skin surrounding the fingers, allowing infections to enter and spread.

Often nail biters are perfectionists, or at least push themselves very hard. They probably have a whole set of other "worrying" habits. They might focus in on a nail to repair it because it "feels funny" or has a small piece of skin hanging. The biting can then take on a life of its own beyond the "repair".

The white circular area at the base of the nail is the matrix (often called the moon). The matrix contains nerves together with lymph and blood vessels that produce nail cells and control the rate of growth of the nails. Regular manicures with light hand buffing using a soft fine block buffer will stimulate circulation of the matrix and helps nails to grow faster. Keeping the cuticles and nails smooth, clean, and conditioned will help to overcome the compulsive need to bite.

You can stop biting your nails! The first step is to begin with regular weekly natural nail manicures. Couple the weekly manicures with an aggressive homecare treatment regimen. During the homecare treatment you apply an intensive calcium fortified strengthener three times a week. You also apply a special Vitamin E & Aloe Vera enriched Cuticle oil twice a day. You rub a specifically designed Collagen lotion on your hands and arms every night at bedtime. You will only use a non-acetone polish remover so you don't dehydrate your nails. The most important thing is to train yourself to keep your nails out of your mouth! People who bite their nails often do it unconsciously, so part of the cure is to know exactly when and under what situations start the biting response. Behavioral techniques for stopping nail biting are primarily interference techniques: doing something else with your hands (such as buffing your nails, rubbing a smooth stone, squeezing a ball, crocheting, embroidering, knitting, etc.) or something else with your mouth (such as chewing gum, chewing on a straw, toothpick or eating hard candy, etc.) The Nail Biters Home Recovery Kit also contains a special formula of bad tasting cream coating that is applied after you wash your hands and at bedtime. In order to quit, a nail biter must want to quit and be willing to do the work and maintenance required. Many years ago I was a nail biter. It may seem impossible at first, but through determination, discipline, and close attention to regular nail care you can see positive results. For ladies and men who are serious about overcoming the nail biting habit, just ask for the "Nail Biters Home Recovery Kit" when you call to schedule your series of weekly manicures. You can stop biting your nails!

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Nails Your Way
Jeanne Grace Curtis
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Douglasville GA 30135-4726

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