cuticle biting http://isitnormal.com/story/242/ OMG ME 2!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM I SWEAR!!!I'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE I WAS SIX AND MY FINGERS ARE REALLY GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY MY BOYFRIEND TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD BREAK UP WITH ME IF I DONT STOP!!!WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 1 YEAR AND 4MONTHS AND I'M TRYING TO STOP BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!! http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-106346 2007-05-13 22:07:23 I must agree with helpful_hints. While it is a common disorder,which can at times seem like just some old nervous habit, it is not "normal". If you are a mild, occational nervous biter, then more than likely yours is more a stress realted habit. Try a few different techniques, such as bitters on your fingers, wearing gloves when you are not in a public place, as most biters do it more so in private, or try squeezing a stress ball to keep your hands busy and out of your mouth. While nail and cuticle biting is not commonly known as life threatening, it is also related to a disorder called trichotillomania, which is a disorder where people literally pull out their own hair, eye lashes and or eyebrows. It is a form of O.C.D. which could in turn be dangerous. I am not saying that you have either of the above disorders, however before you toss it aside as a normal stress related issue, you should research it some and if you are truly concerned, check with your doctor. Here is just one of many links I have found. http://www.homestead.com/westsuffolkpsych/SkinPicking.html There is hope and there is help. Good Luck! I'm the momster http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-19207 2006-05-24 19:24:00 This is considered COMMON.... but NOT "NORMAL". This IS a DISORDER and can be treated. I too have this problem and am seeking the advice of a therapist in my home town.... if you have this problem, or know someone who does... DO NOT CONSIDER THIS "NORMAL" but instead "COMMON"! There IS a difference! Perhaps you should look into this further and eventually seek the advice of a medical doctor, or even a therapist, as this is a medical disorder! http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-10799 2005-12-10 02:24:54 i do it aswell i like going swimming cos afterwards it makes ure fingers all weird and then u can bite the skin off. sumtimes i accidently rip mi nail off tht hurts im 13 and i chewed my fingers since i was about 8. its a normal habit http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-8082 2005-10-29 04:25:15 i understand. I used to do it too.i got over it. no worries http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-6943 2005-09-07 16:02:59 You are putting all kinds of germs into your mouth. Think of all the stuff that you touch during the day and then you nibble them up. Yuck! Pitooey! http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-6157 2005-08-04 08:05:44 I don't do it myself, but I do know that so many people in this world bite thier fingernails that we should have a community nail pile. Don't worry about it. http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-6124 2005-08-03 20:43:13 Is your name Will' This guy Will does that. His fingers look like Penis*es. Do girls like that sort of thing' http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-2091 2005-05-13 10:27:19 but micropore tape round youre fingers thatll stop you it stopped my couisin in like a week and if anyone asks u why uve got tape on your fingers say "i bite my nails " http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-2000 2005-05-12 08:08:10 I know someone like that. I used to bite the skin around my fingers, but I don't do it anymore. Just try to do it on only one finger or something. http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-1880 2005-05-11 11:49:37 I always do it! I cannot stop. I have done it since I was a little kid and Im 18 now and I still cannot stop. I know it isnt normal and my fingers are all chopped up and bloody all the time. I feel your pain http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-1099 2005-05-02 19:58:21 I do it all the time. It's normal. http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-760 2005-05-01 18:09:07 I do this as well, but I've managed to get it under control. I used to have the bleeding problems and all that. Lately what I've done is bite my nails more slowly, sort of grind them down against or in between my teeth. This way you can be "biting your nails" without actually causing too much damage. Try and get in the habit of doing this over the real biting stuff that makes you look bad. http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-559 2005-04-27 18:33:57 I do it to, I can't stop. http://isitnormal.com/story/242/#comment-558 2005-04-27 15:42:04