Okay, disclaimer from the beginning, I am not saying I have figured it out or that I am one who has kicked this bad habit. If you know me personally, you know that I have struggled with biting my nails ever since I was about 6 years old. I can probably go a month without biting my nails at times. They will grow long and pretty, and then something happens that gives me reason to feel anxious. Therefore, I deal with that anxiety by biting my nails. And so the cycle has gone for many, many years of my life.
I am such a perpetual nail-biter that when I was in high school, my old youth pastor came back to town and saw my nails. He said, “Hey, you don’t eat your fingers anymore.” Oh, how I wish I had kicked the habit then, but nonetheless, here I am, peeved that I still struggle with biting my nails. I am a nurse, and I know how nasty our hands and under our fingernails are, but old habits die hard. So I wrote this blog post, not saying I know all the answers, but on the quest to grow healthy, strong, long, beautiful nails for good this time!
Why do we bite our nails?
We bite our nails for many reasons, which can include a mechanism for coping with anxiety and frustration. If you’ve been doing it for a long time, you might even do it without realizing it or out of boredom. The habit of biting your nails is called onychophagia.
What is under our nails?
Under our nails lurk all sorts of things like Dirt, lint, skin cells, germs, bacteria, and fungi, to name a few. But another thing that is under our nails is something called the hyponychium. The hyponychium is a thin layer of skin under the nail that works as a protective barrier to prevent these items from going into the nail bed.
Habits to stop biting
So recently, I have tried a few things and I am seeing results! Now, I did get nervous the other day and did bite my thumbnail- sad day, but there is progress!
I have started with the goal (this does not always happen) to soak my nails for as long as I can in a warm mixture of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice once daily. The olive oil strengthens and moisturizes our cuticles with its fatty acids and vitamin E components. Reducing the number of hangnails you have and eliminating the urge to pick, pull, and bite those pesky cuticles. Lemon juice will brighten your nails, giving them a whiter tip and strengthening the nail. The Salt helps to strengthen and soften your cuticles, making it easier to push back the cuticles and trim the excess.
First, rub the nail and the cuticle in a circular motion while it is in the bowl. I find it best to do this at night after dinner, when I am able to sit comfortably in bed or on the couch with a blanket, watching a show. I enjoyed some episodes of Gilmore Girls while soaking my nails, haha.
After soaking my nails, I remove the excess oil with a paper towel or washcloth, then massage what is left into my nails in the same circular motion. Then it is so much easier to push back your cuticles without pain and cut the excess with cuticle cutters. After I do that, if needed, I add a clear coat, and they look so much better. You also grow in confidence as you see them slowly growing and looking pretty.
Healthy strong nails
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drinking water and staying hydrated seem to be great for skin health and nail health. Also, keeping your hands moisturized, especially your cuticles, helps!
Also, I have been utilizing my shampoo bars that have quality castor oil in them. Which castor oil is known for strenthening and moisturizing your nails producing stronger healthier nails.
Apply clear nail polish to your nails. When you do inevitably bite your nails, it will taste bad. If you have clear nail polish and you start to get anxious, you will more than likely pick at your nail polish before your nails, which gives you some buffer time. It also makes them a little harder, which will hopefully prevent your nail from splitting on the corners.
Evaluate your triggers
What leads you to start biting your nails? Try to limit those or train yourself to respond to stressful stimuli with a different coping mechanism. I have tried to do so as soon as I am about to put my fingernails in my mouth, I stop and do breathing exercises. I know that might sound weird, but it has been helpful. This has seemed to be beneficial in decreasing my stress. Another positive stress reliever is physical exercise. I speak about that in this blog post. If you are interested, I will link it here: https://wonderfullymade-kmk.com/how-to-reduce-stress/
Some people try to replace the habit by chewing gum, wearing an anxiety ring, doing a crossword, or doing other puzzles. Others will keep their hands busy with doodling or crocheting. Whatever works for you may be different from this list, but here are some options.
Rest in Him
I hope this has been beneficial, and I encourage you as you try to work on your healthy nail journey. Regardless, I hope you feel confident in the Lord. May he bless you with peace and comfort in the midst of stressful situations. Lord, May we always rely solely on You. When anxiteties come to haunt us and the enemy wants us to collapse in fear help us to be bold through the courage we gain from the Holy spirit. We can have confidence that your word is true. That we will not be forsaken, or shaken because you hold our days. To You be all honor, glory, and power!