Is it normal that i bite my nails that much

45% Normal
5 Comments

If nail biting was a disease, I'd probably be a chronic patient. i do NOT remember a time in my life when I did not bite my nails. Here is a twist to my story. Do you know how MOST people who nail-bite like to bite their actually nails? Well no. I enjoy biting he skin around my nails. All around it. Sometimes i'll look at my nail, and notice that the enamel part is growing, but the skin around it is depleted and swollen. The grotesque look of them is even more enhanced when I touch water. My fingers look whitish grey around my nails, with my skin poking out. In short, I could never be a hand model lol. I DO remember some instances when i was younger, when my mom would paint my nails and they looked great. I was not biting yet. I think it all started around the time my dad passed away, when i was 6. I always thought it was just a phase, but I'm turning 19 this year, and I do it like every day. If I had a picture to clarify on the appearance of my nails I would, but that would scar you for life. :'(
So what exactly do i do? I usually find something sharp, like a needle even. Then I start poking on my skin. This skin tears right off and I just put it in my mouth and chew. It does not hurt because the skin right under my nail bed is swollen due to having bitten all my cuticles off and exposing the inner flesh to moisture. So the skin is practically dead, or my nerve cells just stop working i guess. When I don't have anything to poke the skin with, I place my fingers on my lips, and use my lips to feel for any flesh sticking out. Than, I just bite it. Sometimes I'll be bleeding from a deep flesh tear, but i just can't stop. I've tried wearing bitter nail wear to stop, but it works temporarily, as sometimes I find myself being willing to sustain the bitter nasty taste,JUST to bite the enamel occasionally. Sometimes I even pick at my toenails and chew the pieces i find !!! XD. i swear, i desperately want to stop, and the fact that I feel I have no control over this makes me sad.
Am I the only one who does this severely? Has anyone stopped biting completely? if so, how? And what is the psychological side to this bad ugly habit?? Please help <3

Voting Results
45% Normal
Based on 80 votes (36 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • Gawdzirra
    11 years ago

    I used to be an obsessive nail and skin biter as well. I can't remember when I started, but it's been more than 10 years. Tried bitter nail polish stuff, didn't work. Tried therapy, didn't work. Tried occupying myself, didn't work. Then I got my hands on something that easily fixed my problem. I always carry around a small pair of nail clippers in my pocket. If my nail looks slightly long or uneven, I take them out and clip it until it looks good. If I have bits of skin around my nails poking out, I take out the clippers and pluck them right off. In my experience, biting only made it worse and caused more flaws in my nails. Pocket clippers really do help, I highly recommend it.

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    • ravageme
      11 years ago

      Thank you very much <3

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  • LadyXul
    11 years ago

    I did this pretty much all my life. I have extreme anxiety which is how it started but it just became a bad habit. I got infections in my fingers even. It was horrible.

    Then..i got engaged and everyone kept grabbing my hand to look at my ring. I was ashamed of my fingers.
    It was mostly pure willpower that made me stop. I found other little habits that weren't as destructive (sometimes even positive)
    Also..It sounds silly but i started buying really beautiful Nail Lacquer, the expensive kind that is $10+ a bottle. And i got a fancy manicure set.
    I had the urge to use it because it was so nice and expensive. I didn't want it to go to waste.

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    • ravageme
      11 years ago

      THANK YOU. Will def try all of what you said <3

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  • DADNSCAL
    11 years ago

    You have a self-mutilation obsession, and should see a therapist.

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