How to Stop Biting the Skin Around Your Nails
- 1). Visualize your goal. As with any bad habit, the first step to breaking it is to visualize your goal so you have something to work towards. Think about healthy, smooth cuticles that do not hurt or bleed. Think about this any time you have the urge to bite.
- 2). Wear gloves. If you can't help bringing your hand to your mouth, try putting gloves on your hands to make it physically impossible to bite the skin on your nails. If possible, use thick gloves so you do not get the urge to bite through the gloves.
- 3). Use hand lotion. If you use a lot of lotion on your cuticles (especially the non-scented kind, since sweet-smelling lotions can actually encourage putting hands near the nose/mouth) your hands will have a faint chemical taste and odor that will lessen your desire to put your hands near your face and nose.
- 4). Chew on other items. If you find yourself needing to chew on something, reach for a nutritious and crunchy snack, like carrot sticks.
- 5). See a health professional. If you cannot stop your compulsion, have caused yourself serious harm or believe it has appeared as a result of a pre-existing mental health issue, consult a doctor about professional treatment options.