Homemade Treatments to Stop Nail Biting

Nail biting has long been a universal "nervous" habit that countless kids and adults suffer from. While this habit doesn't have any known health effects, it does leave you with ragged, unattractive fingernails. On top of that, it's highly unsanitary because of all the germs and bacteria that live underneath the tips of your fingernails. If you're trying to break this annoying habit, try these homemade treatments to stop nail biting:

1. Tabasco Sauce
Try dipping your fingertips in a small container of Tabasco Sauce. Let the sauce set on your nails for a few minutes, then wipe it off. The hot, spicy taste of the sauce can help you stop biting your nails every time you lift a fingernail to your mouth.

2. Chew Gum or Suck on Mints
Chew gum or suck on mints every time you're tempted to chew on your nails. The idea of this homemade treatment is, that by keeping your mouth busy doing something else, you won't be tempted to give into this bad habit. Chewing gum can help relieve your nervousness and calm you down, especially if it's a refreshing mint gum.

3. The Rubberband Method
Place a thin rubberband around each one of your wrists. Then, whenever you reach for a fingernail to bite, pull on the rubberband that's on that wrist and release it quickly. The snap will cause enough pain to remind you not to bite your nails anymore. It's going to sting every time you snap yourself, but this method is sure to help you break the habit!

4. Change Your Obsession
Since you're having a difficult time not thinking about and biting your fingernails, another homemade treatment is to change your obsession. You like to concentrate on your fingernails, so file them instead! Buy yourself a colorful nail file and spend the time you'd normally chew on your nails by filing them instead. Instead of looking ragged and ugly, your nails will be shapely and attractive!