by claire coshan

Created on: June 18, 2010   Last Updated: June 21, 2010

Nail biting is a dirty habbit, I know, you've heard that a million times before, but it's literally true, even when your nails look as clean as a whistle, there is still a wealth of bacteria down there waiting to leap into your mouth.

Not only is it unhygienic as the dirt from your fingers is then transferred into your mouth, but it is also unsightly and it makes your nails look gnawed and horrible.

Below are a few tips to help you get out of the habit of biting your nails.

1 Look at your nails, what do they look like? Do they look smart? Tidy? Feminine? Neat? I doubt it, take a long hard look at how horrible they look. This is usually enough to shock people into trying to change their nail biting ways.

2. Get your nails looking as neat as you can, whether this means filing them yourself or getting a manicure, try to make the best of what you've got. I recommend getting a professional manicure, they can work wonders with even the most gnawed nails. Set yourself a challenge to make the manicure last as long as you possible can.

3. Paint your nails, make it a fairly dark colour, this means that when you do bite your nails, it will be glaringly obvious and make your nails look untidy, which will help you stop as you wont want to make a mess of your nails again.

Do not apply fake nails if you have a tendency to bite your natural nails, they can come off very easily sometimes and could pose a major choking hazard.

4. If you don't want to paint your nails, try brushing a coat of the substance that helps you stop biting them, after you have painted this on, if you do bite your nails, you will get a revolting taste in your mouth.

6. Keep your hands busy, an old friend of mine used to always keep two ten pence piece coins in her pockets so when she felt the urge to bite her nails, she would get the coins out and start playing with them, rolling them over her knuckles, flipping them etc. You can choose anything that you might like to keep your hands occupied; cards, coins, knitting etc.

7. Just think really carefully about where your hands have been all day? Have you been stroking the dog or cat? Cleaning the bathroom? Have you been on the train? Think about what kind of filth is on your hands and under your nails. This should really make you want to stop.

Learn more about this author, claire coshan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.