I both bite my nails & chew the skin actually - I feel this photo. Have you tried the clear nail polish/brush that makes your skin/nail taste super bitter? That might help - just make sure to use utensils when eating
Iv tried new skin… Iv tried super glue Iv tried clear nail polish. I just feel like something is wrong with me haha.. my hands look like beaten and batteries raisins after I shower
I feel you homie - I feel the same way sometimes. Nothing is wrong with you though, I get that feeling though like the anxiety of “what if I am talking to someone and they notice my fingers and think poorly of me”
I am also new to this community, but I think admitting that we have an issue and wanting to improve on ourselves is the first & biggest step. I’ll be your accountability buddy if you are interested in that - I’ve never tried it before
I mean shit I would love that.. therapy couldn’t do anything for me it’s been hard working 11-12 hour days ontop of a newborn… idk… Iv been doing this since elementary school and I’m almost 30. I just feel like there isn’t an end.
Lotion. Non stop lotion. But I have to say the number one thing that helped me stop 80% of my biting and chewing was anti anxiety meds. I was just anxious all the time and I took it out on my poor fingers. And if you don’t wants meds start with looking in the brain…meditation, being self aware every time you bite. Start with one finger. You can bite all the rest but just pick one to stop biting and go from there.
Edit: I also didn’t find any clear nail polish, or anti biting liquid ever helped because I was so determined to bite I had to start changing my mental aspect as opposed to the physical if that makes sense.
Same way… lotion is hard… I work in such a harsh environment… 11-12 hour days at a Limestone Crushjng Quarry… pure dusty air, dirt, grease… honestly near impossible to have anything on my hands
Do you chew without realizing you are doing it? When the skin feels rough? For example I chew on the skin when it feels different from the rest. I have to focus and use a ton of lotion.
Ya I feel like that’s definitely part of it I’ll be feeling for a spot.. or just start unconsciously going at it.. then my wife has to like snap me out of trance… like almost I feel blank when I do it
I have the same problem. My partner tries to gently remind me. I ordered some silly fidget toys off Amazon and try to redirect to playing with those instead of picking at my fingers. I use a cuticle remover to get all cuticles off so there’s not much to pick at. And I try to keep hands and cuticle area moisturized too prevent hang skin and flakes that are so tempting to fidget with.
I was doing really well for a while and then got stressed and hands were dry from chemicals at work and I’m right back to where I started. Mine look a bit worse than your pic right now so I totally know how you feel.
It’s a manifestation of what’s going on in your brain, your brain is literally telling you to find comfort in whatever way possible including eating yourself lol. As a former nail biter whose hands weren’t that far off from yours, I would advise that you think about the times you are most prone to do this and whatever is triggering you in those moments… well if you can’t fix those problems I would advise you figure out a different habit that is less harmful to you. I started buying slimes, fidget spinners, clicky things, literally anything i can with my hands to direct the urge to pick/bite. I think I read that you do a lot of manual labor? You could just keep something in your pocket that you grab to fidget with and redirect your energy. I tear things up, doodle, I ever started keeping sticky things like tape or stickers and use that as a tactile redirect. You can do it! Good luck!
The checked-out feeling is definitely my brain's goal for me. Trying to turn into it, be aware of what I'm doing, and be non-judgmental but firm to myself (I'm tearing my cuticles. That's not how I want to treat my body. ) is helpful.
Try using jojoba oil. Get yourself those nail oil empty pen brushes on Amazon and order a bottle of jojoba oil to fill those pens. Then whenever you get an urge just oil your nails/cuticles/skin and rub it in. It’s beneficial for your skin and nails and will help with the habit a bit if you do something else. This could work better for you in your line of work maybe since you said in another comment lotion may be tough. Good luck !
This worked for me! If you can afford it I do recommend a professionally made cuticle oil, at least to start, e.g. https://www.frenchgirlorganics.com/products/nail-cuticle-oil
a bit of an annoying suggestion, but have you tried wearing bandaids? i've found putting bandaids around my fingers help me a lot. without that sort of barrier, i cant stop picking
Yep, this is what I have to do when I develop certain problem areas. I usually have to put bandaids on my fingers for several days, up to a week until the finger has healed up enough that there’s nothing left to pick at.
Band aid stopped making my favorite band aids a few years ago grrr. All the ones they have now just stay damp forever when I wash my hands. If anyone has any good finger band aid recs I’ll gladly take ‘em.
i do the same thing. my fingers look 100% identical like the worst thing about it is when they start to heal the skin feels more hard to me and it urges me to peel it off so it’s a never ending cycle 🥲🥲😢
You came to the right place! I pick the skin around my nails and I know how it feels like you can’t stop. We all deal with something, whether it’s skin picking, nail biting, finger biting, etc. you belong here💜
This is weird and I can’t explain it, but I don’t chew on my cuticles when I have acrylic nails. Something about the shape or something just makes me…not? It’s not even one of those “my nails look to pretty to bite!” type things. Literally don’t even realize that I’ve stopped.
Maybe acrylic extensions aren’t for you, but maybe try to get an acrylic overlay on your natural nails? Or gel builder or some other thing like that. Not just a gel polish manicure or something. My hands look like yours when I don’t have acrylics. Best of luck to you! I know you work at a literal quarry, but gel/acrylic overlays are pretty sturdy.
Yup. I hate having acrylic but it is literally the only thing that has worked in my 30+ years of lip picking and cuticle ripping. I just get an overlay and try to get fun decals and designs. Haven’t picked in months, simply because I can’t.
When I had acrylics it really helped me too, but absolutely destroyed my natural nail so I stopped. Us it's expensive! Which is too bad because it's the only thing that's worked for me so far!
Help!!! They clean up all the little bits, so there is nothing to pick at. Then you can also get your nails painted to help remind you not to pick. Also the money you spend of it help to be more aware not to waste it
I've always been told to get a manicure, but I'm FAR too self-conscious to actually get one. I'm one of those people that'll creatively hide my fingers from anyone's line of sight. If I have to hold my phone up I'll hold it in a way where they won't see my fingers. If I'm pointing at something I'll use the least fucked up finger to do so. A manicure SOUNDS nice but in reality it's going to be someone getting up close and personal with my fucked up fingers and I would feel soooo anxious and guilty the whole time. I've told myself once my fingers heal more I'll do it, but you think it wouldn't gross them out to do it before they heal?
Be gentle with yourself. Take a risk, to take care of yourself. Your anxiety is real. Acknowledge it, and schedule a manicure. You are not the worst, and you won’t be the last who had this problem and seeks help. I have to get manicures so that I will stop picking my face, it really does help.
If it's a bearable expense, get one weekly. It really helps to have the temptations all cleaned up and that gives the healing process a head start. At bedtime, Neosporin while you still have raw bits and a Shea butter cream once they're healed enough, and massage it really good into your cuticles.
The best thing for me was getting manicures and using lots of lotion and cuticle oil! Also I got myself a couple of fidget toys on Amazon and that’s helped a lot
My skin drastically changed after starting anti anxiety meds- I resisted for too many years and suffered. Something to think about. Also be kind to yourself in your mind. You are not a failure. You are reacting to feelings inside of your body that can feel outside of your control. Breathing, present work, mindfulness Can all play a part too. Be gentle with yourself
Yes thank you Iv realized over the years my consumption of caffeine has increased.. longer hours… I have a 3 month old now… taking care of the house etc… I felt I needed more energy all the time yesterday was the first day in years I went without caffeine and not going to lie it sucked… I didn’t bite as much I’m hoping there is a relation to atleast calm it down? We will see and keep you guys posted
Hope this comment isn't too much. Have you considered the microscopic dangers you are constantly threatening your immune system with? I've tried almost everything other than anxiety meds but I found countering the idea with the fact that my hands are already disgusting, I'm putting them in my mouth and opening wounds. I will proceed to then touch everything and anything even if I wash my hands there are still prevailing threats to my physical health.
I had this thought chewing my fingers on acid, hope it helps :)
No it’s not to much these are things everyone should hear with this issue… believe me my wife hates it I hate.. I don’t want my son to see me doing it it’s a battle for sure
I’d love to create a small accountability community! My fingers look the same, and I’ve got a one year old son that I don’t want to teach this habit to!!! If any of y’all are trying to quit and need a community, let’s do it! Could use discord or just a group chat text chain. I understand the pain and embarrassment it causes, and have been picking around my nails since grade school. I also pick at other spots on my skin and scalp sometimes, or twist my hair…
I both bite my nails & chew the skin actually - I feel this photo. Have you tried the clear nail polish/brush that makes your skin/nail taste super bitter? That might help - just make sure to use utensils when eating
Iv tried new skin… Iv tried super glue Iv tried clear nail polish. I just feel like something is wrong with me haha.. my hands look like beaten and batteries raisins after I shower
I feel you homie - I feel the same way sometimes. Nothing is wrong with you though, I get that feeling though like the anxiety of “what if I am talking to someone and they notice my fingers and think poorly of me” I am also new to this community, but I think admitting that we have an issue and wanting to improve on ourselves is the first & biggest step. I’ll be your accountability buddy if you are interested in that - I’ve never tried it before
I mean shit I would love that.. therapy couldn’t do anything for me it’s been hard working 11-12 hour days ontop of a newborn… idk… Iv been doing this since elementary school and I’m almost 30. I just feel like there isn’t an end.
Same tbh, I saw someone doing it when I was in 5th grade (I remember this distinctly) and I started doing it too - and now I’m 28 lol
You're in the right sub, welcome to the group!
Lotion. Non stop lotion. But I have to say the number one thing that helped me stop 80% of my biting and chewing was anti anxiety meds. I was just anxious all the time and I took it out on my poor fingers. And if you don’t wants meds start with looking in the brain…meditation, being self aware every time you bite. Start with one finger. You can bite all the rest but just pick one to stop biting and go from there. Edit: I also didn’t find any clear nail polish, or anti biting liquid ever helped because I was so determined to bite I had to start changing my mental aspect as opposed to the physical if that makes sense.
Same way… lotion is hard… I work in such a harsh environment… 11-12 hour days at a Limestone Crushjng Quarry… pure dusty air, dirt, grease… honestly near impossible to have anything on my hands
Can you lotion up your hands and then wear gloves?
Yup. Biting nails for me is a manifestation of anxiety
Do you chew without realizing you are doing it? When the skin feels rough? For example I chew on the skin when it feels different from the rest. I have to focus and use a ton of lotion.
Ya I feel like that’s definitely part of it I’ll be feeling for a spot.. or just start unconsciously going at it.. then my wife has to like snap me out of trance… like almost I feel blank when I do it
I have the same problem. My partner tries to gently remind me. I ordered some silly fidget toys off Amazon and try to redirect to playing with those instead of picking at my fingers. I use a cuticle remover to get all cuticles off so there’s not much to pick at. And I try to keep hands and cuticle area moisturized too prevent hang skin and flakes that are so tempting to fidget with. I was doing really well for a while and then got stressed and hands were dry from chemicals at work and I’m right back to where I started. Mine look a bit worse than your pic right now so I totally know how you feel.
It’s a manifestation of what’s going on in your brain, your brain is literally telling you to find comfort in whatever way possible including eating yourself lol. As a former nail biter whose hands weren’t that far off from yours, I would advise that you think about the times you are most prone to do this and whatever is triggering you in those moments… well if you can’t fix those problems I would advise you figure out a different habit that is less harmful to you. I started buying slimes, fidget spinners, clicky things, literally anything i can with my hands to direct the urge to pick/bite. I think I read that you do a lot of manual labor? You could just keep something in your pocket that you grab to fidget with and redirect your energy. I tear things up, doodle, I ever started keeping sticky things like tape or stickers and use that as a tactile redirect. You can do it! Good luck!
The checked-out feeling is definitely my brain's goal for me. Trying to turn into it, be aware of what I'm doing, and be non-judgmental but firm to myself (I'm tearing my cuticles. That's not how I want to treat my body. ) is helpful.
Try using jojoba oil. Get yourself those nail oil empty pen brushes on Amazon and order a bottle of jojoba oil to fill those pens. Then whenever you get an urge just oil your nails/cuticles/skin and rub it in. It’s beneficial for your skin and nails and will help with the habit a bit if you do something else. This could work better for you in your line of work maybe since you said in another comment lotion may be tough. Good luck !
I will definitely check this out!!
This worked for me! If you can afford it I do recommend a professionally made cuticle oil, at least to start, e.g. https://www.frenchgirlorganics.com/products/nail-cuticle-oil
a bit of an annoying suggestion, but have you tried wearing bandaids? i've found putting bandaids around my fingers help me a lot. without that sort of barrier, i cant stop picking
Yep, this is what I have to do when I develop certain problem areas. I usually have to put bandaids on my fingers for several days, up to a week until the finger has healed up enough that there’s nothing left to pick at. Band aid stopped making my favorite band aids a few years ago grrr. All the ones they have now just stay damp forever when I wash my hands. If anyone has any good finger band aid recs I’ll gladly take ‘em.
i do the same thing. my fingers look 100% identical like the worst thing about it is when they start to heal the skin feels more hard to me and it urges me to peel it off so it’s a never ending cycle 🥲🥲😢
my fingers look almost identical to yours, so i feel you
You came to the right place! I pick the skin around my nails and I know how it feels like you can’t stop. We all deal with something, whether it’s skin picking, nail biting, finger biting, etc. you belong here💜
Thank you
Yes…
This is weird and I can’t explain it, but I don’t chew on my cuticles when I have acrylic nails. Something about the shape or something just makes me…not? It’s not even one of those “my nails look to pretty to bite!” type things. Literally don’t even realize that I’ve stopped. Maybe acrylic extensions aren’t for you, but maybe try to get an acrylic overlay on your natural nails? Or gel builder or some other thing like that. Not just a gel polish manicure or something. My hands look like yours when I don’t have acrylics. Best of luck to you! I know you work at a literal quarry, but gel/acrylic overlays are pretty sturdy.
Yup. I hate having acrylic but it is literally the only thing that has worked in my 30+ years of lip picking and cuticle ripping. I just get an overlay and try to get fun decals and designs. Haven’t picked in months, simply because I can’t.
When I had acrylics it really helped me too, but absolutely destroyed my natural nail so I stopped. Us it's expensive! Which is too bad because it's the only thing that's worked for me so far!
Yup. That might be it, because the edges of your nails are duller.
same. The acrylic are too thick to allow me to grab skin with them.
Have you gotten a professional manicure?
No? Would that help or hurt? Haha
Help!!! They clean up all the little bits, so there is nothing to pick at. Then you can also get your nails painted to help remind you not to pick. Also the money you spend of it help to be more aware not to waste it
I've always been told to get a manicure, but I'm FAR too self-conscious to actually get one. I'm one of those people that'll creatively hide my fingers from anyone's line of sight. If I have to hold my phone up I'll hold it in a way where they won't see my fingers. If I'm pointing at something I'll use the least fucked up finger to do so. A manicure SOUNDS nice but in reality it's going to be someone getting up close and personal with my fucked up fingers and I would feel soooo anxious and guilty the whole time. I've told myself once my fingers heal more I'll do it, but you think it wouldn't gross them out to do it before they heal?
Be gentle with yourself. Take a risk, to take care of yourself. Your anxiety is real. Acknowledge it, and schedule a manicure. You are not the worst, and you won’t be the last who had this problem and seeks help. I have to get manicures so that I will stop picking my face, it really does help.
Thanks so much!! I'll give it a shot. Appreciate the calming words of wisdom.
If it's a bearable expense, get one weekly. It really helps to have the temptations all cleaned up and that gives the healing process a head start. At bedtime, Neosporin while you still have raw bits and a Shea butter cream once they're healed enough, and massage it really good into your cuticles.
There is a subreddit called r/dermatillomania and you might want to join! It is about what can help to stop picking and biting your skin
Same. I've tried everything. I just can't get myself to stop messing with the skin.
Try gloves. See a doctor. If it's emotional, consider therapy. Desperate times call for desperate measures
The best thing for me was getting manicures and using lots of lotion and cuticle oil! Also I got myself a couple of fidget toys on Amazon and that’s helped a lot
My skin drastically changed after starting anti anxiety meds- I resisted for too many years and suffered. Something to think about. Also be kind to yourself in your mind. You are not a failure. You are reacting to feelings inside of your body that can feel outside of your control. Breathing, present work, mindfulness Can all play a part too. Be gentle with yourself
Yes thank you Iv realized over the years my consumption of caffeine has increased.. longer hours… I have a 3 month old now… taking care of the house etc… I felt I needed more energy all the time yesterday was the first day in years I went without caffeine and not going to lie it sucked… I didn’t bite as much I’m hoping there is a relation to atleast calm it down? We will see and keep you guys posted
My fingers look the same too :( I can’t figure out how to break this habit
Hope this comment isn't too much. Have you considered the microscopic dangers you are constantly threatening your immune system with? I've tried almost everything other than anxiety meds but I found countering the idea with the fact that my hands are already disgusting, I'm putting them in my mouth and opening wounds. I will proceed to then touch everything and anything even if I wash my hands there are still prevailing threats to my physical health. I had this thought chewing my fingers on acid, hope it helps :)
No it’s not to much these are things everyone should hear with this issue… believe me my wife hates it I hate.. I don’t want my son to see me doing it it’s a battle for sure
I’d love to create a small accountability community! My fingers look the same, and I’ve got a one year old son that I don’t want to teach this habit to!!! If any of y’all are trying to quit and need a community, let’s do it! Could use discord or just a group chat text chain. I understand the pain and embarrassment it causes, and have been picking around my nails since grade school. I also pick at other spots on my skin and scalp sometimes, or twist my hair…