Hi there,
I am new to this blog but I am already hooked! There is so much interesting info on here I could spend days reading!
I would like some help and advice regarding my nails please. I am a 30 year old female and I have bitten my nails (excessively) since I can remember. I take great pride in my skin, hair, health, weight, fitness, clothes etc but my nails are a MESS! I am so embarassed by them yet I can't seem to stop nibbling... I work at a computer most days and my nails are in my mouth most of the time. I can't stop!
I have tried bad tasting nail treatments, acrylics (which I hated!), calgel/biogel overlays and even hypnotherapy but none of them worked...
I am beginning to resign myself to the fact I will always have awful nails... Unless anyone has any new solution, thoughts or ideas? I am desperate!
Thank you in advance. Any advice appreciated.
XX
6/23/08
Ok. Sounds like you've tried all the usual suspects to beat the bite. So here's an offbeat one--and you're going to think I'm nuts--but it's a suggestion I had heard years ago, and am actually testing out right this very minute as I type this (why? because you said you work at a computer most days).
Now, this will require some diligence on your part, but get a pair of pantyhose and either some scotch tape or band-aids. Cut the pantyhose into small sections that will stretch a bit over each of your fingertips. Secure in place with tape or bandaid. Like I said, I am typing with this get-up on right now--and it's not interfering--otherwise I'd have suggested those dr. scholl's foam toe covers in a small size. The principle here is that if you can't get to the nail, you can't bite it.
I realize this will not look chic at the office and it will require you to take them off & on to eat, etc...but you sound ready to try anything, and it's in that spirit that I'm suggesting this.
Another thing to remember about nail care--become obsessive about applying hand cream. Don't worry about the brand--just get whatever works for you and that you enjoy putting on--treat yourself to a bath-line scent you love. It will keep the nail bed/cuticle area hydrated which in turn will help diminish susceptibility to breaks.
And if you get any breaks or splits--get to a nail salon (put a band-aid on to protect till you can get there) for a fix, or keep something like 5 Second Brush-on Nail Glue and Bonding Powder handy (if you're comfortable doing yourself). Don't think the nail's a goner--you've worked for it, and there's plenty of ways to save it.
10/6/08
Hi Lulu,
I am sorry to hear about your obsessive habit. and I agree nothing looks worse then badly maintained nails. You know what you should try?
Buy a really expensive set of artificial nails and put them on always. They would not only be hard to bite but also its cost might act as a deterrent.
Hope it works!
Janet
10/15/08
Wow I think I might try that. I have also bitten my nails since I was a small child and have never been able to quit. I would like to especially since it would be nice to have lady like hands.