How To Stop Biting Your Nails, Naturally
Around 30% of people continue to bite their nails into adulthood, mostly due to a nervous disposition or gluten intolerance. Avoid toxic nail biting liquids, that could harm babies or pets that may kiss your hands.
- Identify triggers and remove them. For instance, many people find that after having a glass of wine or absently watching TV (or both) in the evening may lead to subconsciously nibbling.
- Harbour Hypnotherapy offers affordable ‘habit downloads’ from a clinical hypnotherapist (not just nail-biting for also there are downloads to stop thumb-sucking, hair-pulling, addiction to caffeine or chocolate and even cocaine).
- Try giving up gluten. Many people who have been chronic nail-biters for decades find their habit disappears overnight, once they give up gluten. This is thought to be due to gluten (in some people) blocking B vitamins that help with your nerves.
NAC (N-acetyl-L-Cysteine) supplement has helped some people give up nail-biting. This amino acid builds keratin (good for nails, skin & hair), and stop other hair-pulling or skin-picking. Check with GP before taking supplements if pregnant/nursing or on medication.
One woman in Seattle wrote that after a few months of taking this, her nails grew for the first time in her life (she also gave up any desire for alcohol!)
Tips to look after your nails, naturally
Switch to a mild, unscented soap or a natural liquid hand wash based on olive oil or oats. Avoid antibacterial agents unless truly needed.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Wash off cocoa butter in hand creams, before letting pets kiss you!
This plant-based bristle nail brush is made with sisal fibres on a FSC-certified beechwood base,, good to clean gardening hands. Air-dry to prevent mould (not near damp sinks, then compost at end of life.
Massage cuticles with a little olive oil or almond oil every evening. To push them back, soak your hands for five minutes in warm water, then gently nudge cuticles back with a wooden stick.
For nail infections, reduce alcohol, refined grains and sugar (including fruit juice). Use a natural cotton bud to ‘paint’ nails with coconut oil then cover with a plaster, until nails grow out. Podiatrists do not recommend tea tree oil as it could cause contact dermatitis. Also switch to natural nail polish.
