Hi all.
My OH keeps nibbling at the skin around her finger nails. It seems to me to be a nerves thing - she had stopped but recently started a new job and has started again. The problem is that the constant tearing of skin led to an infection in the past and affects how the nails grow in that they have deep ridges.
Any suggestions as to how to stop this? I've suggested cutting the fingers off or smearing them with chilli paste but she wasn't overly receptive...
Cheers!
Comments
One method of habit reversal that she could try is this: first recognise the feeling of the urge to nibble before the nibble starts, and then clench your fist to prevent nibbling, and breathe calmly and slowly until the urge passes..... and do that every time you get the urge.
ive been a finger nibbler for years and as a result have horrible scars on my fingers. Although i still do it when im stressed out there are a few alternatives that work, chewing on lolly sticks or biccy peggs (teething sticks for babies).
I wouldnt do either in public but i have found that chewing on somehing else stops me eating my fingers until they bleed!
M...eldy - sounds ok, but I could get into trouble for assault and I'm not even sure it's appropriate!
Thanks tinasprout - very good, passed on!
I knew I'd get some cracking advice on here!
although the first could work
Gloves - a great idea. What stopped me biting my nails in my late teens was the fashion for wearing gloves everywhere (with rings on the outside). So thin, elegant gloves for indoors and usual gloves for outside. That way the habit can be broken hopefully. Good luck.
Oh and when they were unbitten, I used Sally Hansen's growth programme clear varnish to strengthen my nails which made them look good + I don't want to bite them and get a mouthful of varnish shavings.
I'm worse when I have idle hands - driving, sat watching the TV, period of boredom etc. And like Parklife says, wearing gloves is a good way to help control it - my nails grow nicely when I'm on a skiing holiday, which gives me more to chew on when I get home!
Another nibbler too - especially the thumb of my left hand. My daughter keeps rubbing it and saying "sore" and wanting to kiss it better, which makes me feel bad, as it's self inflicted.
I will try some of the suggestions and see if I can stop too - it's especially bad when I'm tired or stressed.
I never thought this was such a widespread problem - I'm feeling a bit left out - maybe I should start??
I'm very grateful for all your replies, all suggestions will be passed on. Maybe as she settles in the new job the need to nibble will wane as she hd done so well in stopping before.
Cheers everyone!