Nail Biting: How to finally break this annoying habit

How to finally stop this bothersome habit of biting your nails

Nail biting is not only an annoying habit, but can also lead to health problems. Stern magazine spoke to an expert about habit-breaking therapies and products that are supposed to help.

In our hectic world, it is not uncommon for people to develop unhealthy habits to deal with stress and anxiety. One of the most common of these habits is nail biting, a nervous habit that not only affects the aesthetics of the hands, but can also lead to pain and infections. One remedy is said to help overcome annoying chewing: nail polish. Stern asked Prof. Dr. Steffen Moritz, a psychologist at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg, what he thinks about this and what other measures help against nail biting.

Biting your fingernails: What the expert says

“The most effective measure is to make a so-called antagonistic movement as soon as nail biting starts. This means: clenching a fist, folding your hands, sitting on your hands or something similar,” says Prof. Dr. Moritz. This can prevent the behavior. He goes on to say: “However, there are many sufferers for whom this does not work because they do not notice that the behavior is starting.” In this case, special nail polish can actually help.

Anti-nail biting nail polish is not a new invention, but it has gained popularity in recent years. A nasty, bitter ingredient in these special polishes deters people from putting their fingernails in their mouths. Once the nail polish is applied and dries, it creates an invisible barrier that makes nail biting more difficult and reminds the wearer to refrain from this habit.

And Prof. Dr. Moritz confirms this. “The bitter taste can sensitize those affected. For some, it is as if they are in a kind of trance and do not even notice that they are chewing their fingers until they bleed. Bitter substances can help to consciously perceive and stop the chewing,” he says.

The effect of nail polish against nail biting is based on a simple psychological response. By experiencing the bitter taste of nail polish, the brain gradually becomes associated with the unpleasant taste and the act of nail biting. Over time, the brain begins to internalize this association and the desire to bite nails is reduced.

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Nail polish against nail biting can be a fashion accessory

Another benefit of nail polish against nail biting is its aesthetic component. Most of these polishes are available in different colors and textures, so they can double as a fashion accessory. This is especially important because people who suffer from nail biting are often insecure and want to hide their hands. Wearing colorful nail polish makes them feel more confident and distracts their attention from the unhealthy habit.

There are many different brands and variations of nail polish for nail biting on the market. Some contain additional ingredients such as biotin and vitamins that promote nail growth and strengthening. It is important to choose a nail polish that is free of harmful chemicals and will not further weaken nails. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly research the ingredients before purchasing and speak to a dermatologist or pharmacist if necessary.

Of course, it is important to stress that nail polish alone is not a complete solution to nail biting. It is a tool that can help, but the real change must come from the person themselves. Nail polish may make nail biting more difficult, but it requires the person’s will and determination to overcome the habit. It is advisable to also consider other methods such as stress management, relaxation techniques or wearing gloves to increase the chances of success.

Prof. Dr. Moritz knows another method: the so-called decoupling. “I developed the method myself because I was a nail biter myself. I was very ashamed of it because a lot of things are wrongly interpreted as nail biting. The method is a bit more complicated. Those affected imitate the movement that precedes nail biting. Then the hand is consciously directed somewhere else with a little tension and acceleration, just before touching the mouth. The effect, which sometimes occurs after just a few days, is that the hand no longer really knows what it is doing and what the goal of the action is. According to our studies, this is effective in a third to half of patients,” says Prof. Dr. Moritz.

Bitter nail polish can help

Overall, there are many different ways to stop nail biting. If you want to make it easier to break the habit, a bitter nail polish is a good option. It is a colourful tool that helps people develop healthier nail habits and boost their self-confidence. It is worth trying different brands and variations to find the one that best suits individual needs. With patience and determination, nail biting can be successfully overcome and hands can be shown off in all their glory.

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