Once you've managed to stop biting your nails, one of the questions often asked is whether bitten nails can grow back to normal. The bad news is that although fairly uncommon, nail biting can lead to permanently damaged nails. You can cause permanent damage to your nails by biting them over a long period of time.
The good news is that long-term damage from nail biting is rare. But it does happen, especially if you swallow the bitten nails. You may also be ingesting bacteria that can lead to stomach or intestinal infection.
But it will require some patience on your part. For the average adult, fingernails grow about 1/10 of an inch a month. That means it can take up to six months for your fingernail to grow back to its full size.
Try taking Biotin supplements.
Biotin can help to strengthen brittle nails so that they will not break as easily. Taking a biotin supplement may help you to grow your nails longer and faster. Eating foods that contain biotin can also help with growth.
Repeated nail biting can make the skin around your nails feel sore, and it can damage the tissue that makes nails grow, resulting in abnormal-looking nails.
Apply Cuticle Oil
Years of nail-biting will dry out and damage your cuticle as well. The first step to getting them back on track is to nourish and moisturize them. Use a cuticle oil formulated with essential oils such as the Elon essential cuticle oil with almond.
Nail biting explained
Anxiety: Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety or stress. The repetitive behavior seems to help some people cope with challenging emotions. Boredom: Behaviors such as nail biting and hair twirling are more common when you're bored, hungry, or need to keep your hands busy.
Try introducing regular snacks of crunchy carrot, cucumber and apple sticks (keep it healthy) as they can replicate the 'crunch' they get when biting their nails. A small stress ball or some silly putty can work in the same way, giving your child something else to focus on when they're feeling fidgety or worried.
Lemon juice could help to brighten your nails and remove stains, and the vitamin C promotes stronger growth. Using a cotton pad, swipe lemon juice over each nail and allow to dry. You could also use a slice of lemon directly on the nail. Do this twice a week, following with a rich moisturiser.
The best option to treat your nails with regular manicure treatment specifically designed for nail biters to finish your manicure with either gel coulors or shellac polish to ensure a longer lasting manicure. Manicures will help and using Nail Tiques will help them grow stronger so you will be less likely to bite.
Use a Cuticle Cream or Oil
Remark notes that one of the easiest ways to repair damaged nails is to apply a cuticle oil followed by a hand cream. "Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment and the cream will lock moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage," Remark says.
Nail biting is known medically as onychophagia. It is a type of self-grooming behavior involving biting and chewing the nails, including the toenails. It is a destructive habit, especially when it is repeated and exhibited in response to stressful circumstances.
Nail biting boosts your immune system
Some even immune-boosting. However, once our bodies have been exposed to these potentially harmful germs for the first time, we start to build up antibodies and subsequently strengthen our immune systems.
The Habit Can Cause Nail Deformities
"From chronic nail biting, you can damage the nail matrix (the tissue under the actual nail) and can have permanent nail deformities like ridges," explains Dr. Jaliman.
After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.
The supplement — N-acetyl cysteine or NAC — is an amino acid and antioxidant that's available in pill form over the counter and is well tolerated, experts say.
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many anxiety related behavioral issues such as nail biting and hair pulling. A typical course of treatment will include five to ten sessions with clients attending 60-minute sessions weekly.
Nail biting almost always begins in childhood. It's a behavior often associated with stress or anxiety, but it's likely more complicated than that. For instance, one theory is that it helps some people regulate their emotions — or it feels like it does anyways.
Biting Nails
This habit indicates nerves or insecurity. Whether this means they are nervous about talking to you or just in general, this can be a telling body language cue. It can show that you might be making them nervous (which can be a good or bad thing).
Sometimes after prolonged nail biting your nails can become dry and brittle. If you manage to stop biting your nails you may find that whilst they have grown back to normal, their nail health may not be as good as previously.
What is onychophagia? Onychophagia is the clinical name for fingernail biting. It is a common stress-related or nervous habit in children and adults. It involves biting off the nail plate, and sometimes the soft tissues of the nail bed and the cuticle as well.
Biting is common in babies and toddlers, but it should stop when kids are about 3 or 4 years old. If it goes beyond this age, is excessive, seems to be getting worse rather than better, and happens with other upsetting behaviors, talk to your child's doctor. Together you can find its causes and ways to deal with it.
In some cases, nail biting can be caused by an underlying mental health condition. For example, chronic nail biting may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD causes you to use repetitive, compulsive behaviors to ease the anxiety caused by obsessive, intrusive thoughts.
Scientists, in fact, are still trying to figure out exactly why people bite their nails. But they do know that it's a habit for a lot of us: about 20 to 30 percent of the population are nail biters, including up to 45 percent of teenagers.