If you suffer from nail biting, you know that it’s a habit that seems hard to quit. A condition called onychophagia, the practice of biting your nails is one that often starts during adolescence and usually tapers off by age thirty. Nail biting is more prevalent among guys than girls and it’s a habit that can leave your nails looking unsightly and ugly as bitten nails are easy to recognize as they are cut close to the skin. But from a health standpoint, it can even leave your nails susceptible to infection. Knowing how to stop biting your nails can save your nails from more permanent damage. But how does one learn how to stop biting your nails? If you suffer from nail biting it’s probably a habit that you’ve tried to quit at some point or another, but the habit somehow finds itself safely nestled in your daily routine. Nail biting can become habit forming because it gives you a sense of control. Before you jump in, however, it’s critical that you first make a decision and make a commitment to learning how to stop biting your nails. So let’s take a moment to find out how to stop biting your nails. There are 2 main approaches… physical barrier behavior changes   Physical Barrier: There are several different ways to physically separate yourself from your nails to prevent nail biting. If you are a woman you can put nail polish on your nails so that if you bite your nails they leave a nasty taste in your mouth. You can also physically separate your nails from your mouth by putting your hands in your pockets every time you get the urge or putting band-aids on your fingers so you can’t bite them. Physical barriers may only work temporarily or as long as the barrier exists. The more effective way on how to stop biting your nails, however, is to make behavior changes.   Behavior Change: It’s really important to identify WHY you are biting your nails. Are your nail biting habits a result of stress, anxiety, nervousness, self-consciousness, or boredom? When you can identify the real reason why you bite your nails, you can recognize those triggering moments that compel you to bite them. Going through this process requires patience and awareness. Do you tend to bite them when you have thoughts that make you nervous? If so, it’s important to look further and identify what is triggering your nervousness and how you can remedy your nervousness. Perhaps this is a call for stress management techniques that can reduce nervousness and thus prevent nail biting. You can apply this concept to any emotional state to more deeply explore this behavior trigger. When you learn how to stop biting your nails through behavioral triggers, this can be all you need to get rid of this annoying habit. Part of behavior change can also be replacing your habit with a better one. For example, if you feel you have a need to put something in your mouth, instead of putting your fingernails in your mouth, try putting carrot sticks in your mouth. This will help you to replace a poor habit with a good habit so you can get your veggies at the same time. Just be sure to not replace a poor habit with another poor habit or worse habit. Other alternatives are chewing gum or squeezing stress balls.  You may even want to distract your hands with a hobby so they are focused on the hobby and not on your mouth. Knowing how to stop biting your nails from a behavior standpoint can really make all the difference.   Other notes: To have healthy nails, it’s important to eat healthy. Making sure you get adequate vitamins and minerals from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and drinking a lot of water is important to have strong nails as they grow out. If you have brittle nails, they will break easier and you are more tempted to bite them. If your nails are growing well and they are growing out nicely, be sure to trim them with some good nail clippers. Cutting off sharp edges and hangnails is imperative to prevent temptation. Keep your nails trimmed and filed regularly. Be sure to also use moisturizer to keep your hands nourished to prevent skin tears and dry, brittle skin. If you want to know how to stop biting your nails, try some of these techniques. But remember, you must first be committed to stopping. Without the commitment you will forever continue to cycle. Behavior changes often require you to continue trying even when you’ve had a relapse. Soon enough, your nail biting will stop, but it must start with your will to do so.   Health and Wellness

When you are trying to make a good first impression, you want to make sure you look well put together.  If you have a cowlick in your hair, bad breath, and a wrinkled shirt, how do you think people will perceive you? One area that is often overlooked is the condition of your hands. So often people don’t take care of their nails. If you bite your nails or if you have hangnails and your cuticles are peeling, you best believe that people notice. They may not say anything but it is definitely observed. If you want to make a good impression on someone and let your physical demeanor indirectly tell someone you ARE put together and that you have everything under control from head to toe, your hands are a great place to start. If this seems absurd, think about how often we use our hands to gesture and convey a message. We use our hands to do just about everything and if they are in view to that person who you are trying to make a good impression, that person will definitely notice whether they are groomed or not. So ask yourself, do you have dry cuticles? Do you have hangnails? Do you have skin that is peeling off your cuticles? Do you bite your nails? If you answered yes to any of these, you need this next bit of information. Let’s talk about cuticle care for a bit. Cuticles are the small area of  skin that immediately meets the nail. They act as a barrier and, therefore, play a role in the health of your hands by preventing infection. By keeping your cuticles healthy you are keeping your nails healthy too and leaving a lasting impression.   So here are 5 cuticle care tips. Keep your cuticles moisturized. If they are dry and white , they are probably also peeling which could lead to infection. Your cuticles are always ‘thirsty’ for moisture and when they are dry they look very unhealthy. Every time you wash your hands with soap and water or take a shower, you are stripping your hands of moisture. And if you don’t replenish the moisture with lotion afterward you are dehydrating you cuticles. Make sure you moisturize your hands every time you wash your hands to help prevent hangnails and dry looking cuticles. Push back cuticles correctly. The proper way to push back your cuticles is to use a cuticle remover to soften the cuticles. (You do not want to push back or remove cuticles when they are dry). Use a cuticle pusher such as the Seki Edge Cuticle Pusher (SS-303), which is an excellent stainless steel pusher to easily push back the cuticle from the nail. By pushing back moist cuticles, this is much safer to prevent tears and damage. Trim you hangnails. Hangnails are very unattractive and very painful if they get out of hand. So it is important to address them early on to prevent bleeding and tearing. Having a sharp cuticle nipper handy at any given moment can help to prevent this annoyance. The ¼ Jaw Cuticle Nipper by Seki Edge is a great choice for a nipper. Stainless steel and sharp, this nipper works very well for removing hangnails and excess cuticles. Having cuticle care tools at your disposal is very beneficial for these timely problems. Be sure to keep hangnails off your hands at all times. Be careful of products you use on your nails. If you wear nail polish, you more than likely use an acetone-based nail polish remover and polish treatments that contain formaldehyde. Any products made before 2007 likely contains formaldehyde. These chemicals may cause irritation of the cuticle skin and cause dryness. If you use these products regularly, it is important to take extra care of your cuticle condition. Don’t bite your nails! When you bite your nails you actually damage your cuticles at the same time. This puts your nails at risk for infection by harmful bacteria that find their way into the body. Biting your nails cause your cuticles and nails to separate. Often times nail biting is a nervous habit. But once you become aware of this bad habit, it’s imperative that you make a conscious effort to quit because it is damaging to no only the health of your cuticles but also to your overall first impression to people. Nails that are bitten on a regular basis are often very short and jagged, something most people are not attracted to. So take a look at your cuticles and evaluate your own cuticle care. If you have noticeable hangnails, bitten nails, and dry cuticles you may need an intervention. Taking good care of your nails and overall hand condition is one of the first things people notice when it comes to first impressions and yet it is often one of the most overlooked. Take care of your nails and cuticles and you will be one step ahead of most.   Product, Health and Wellness

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals find themselves constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and struggling to find time for self-care. Among the various aspects of personal grooming, nail care often takes a backseat. However, neglecting your nails can lead to brittle, unhealthy, and unsightly nails. The good news is that you don’t need to spend hours at a salon or invest a significant amount of time to maintain healthy and beautiful nails. With a few quick and effective tips, even the busiest individuals can incorporate nail care into their routine. Keep Your Nails Clean and Dry: Cleanliness is the first step towards nail care. Wash your hands regularly using a mild soap and dry them thoroughly, paying extra attention to the nail area. Moisture trapped under the nails can lead to bacterial or fungal infections, so it’s crucial to keep them dry. Trim and Shape Regularly: Set aside a few minutes every week to trim and shape your nails. Use a good quality nail clipper or nail scissors to trim them to a manageable length. Avoid cutting them too short to prevent pain or potential ingrown nails. Use a nail file to shape the edges and smooth out any rough spots. Moisturize Your Nails and Cuticles: Hydration is essential for healthy nails. Apply a moisturizing hand cream or cuticle oil regularly to keep your nails and cuticles nourished. Massaging the cream or oil into your nails helps improve blood circulation and promotes healthy nail growth. Protect Your Nails: Wear gloves while performing household chores or any activity that involves direct contact with water, chemicals, or harsh substances. This protective measure prevents your nails from becoming weak, brittle, or discolored. Avoid Biting or Picking Your Nails: Stress or boredom can often lead to nail-biting or picking, which can damage your nails and the surrounding skin. Try to identify the triggers and find alternative ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing exercises or keeping stress balls handy. If necessary, you can use a bitter-tasting nail polish specifically designed to deter nail-biting. Opt for Quick-Drying Nail Products: When you do have time for a quick nail polish session, choose fast-drying products to save time. Many brands offer quick-drying nail polishes and topcoats that set in minutes, allowing you to achieve a polished look without compromising your busy schedule. Limit the Use of Harsh Nail Products: While nail polishes, gels, and acrylics can enhance the appearance of your nails, excessive use and frequent removal can weaken them. Limit the use of these products and give your nails a break to breathe and recover. Maintain a Balanced Diet: A healthy diet contributes to overall nail health. Include foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, nuts, and whole grains, as biotin promotes nail strength. Also, ensure you have a balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, and protein for optimal nail growth and resilience. Stay Hydrated: Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day helps maintain nail hydration and prevents them from becoming dry and brittle. Schedule Regular Professional Nail Care: While self-care is essential, it’s also beneficial to treat yourself to professional nail care occasionally. Scheduling regular manicures or pedicures can provide a deep clean, professional shaping, and help address any specific nail concerns. Remember, taking care of your nails doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. By implementing these quick and effective tips into your routine, you can maintain healthy, strong, and beautiful nails even amidst a busy schedule. Prioritize your nail care as a form of self-care, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of well-groomed nails that reflect your overall well-being. Health and Wellness

Do you have brittle nails? Discolored nails? Pitted or ridged nails? If you do, these may be key indicators of a more serious health problem and should not be taken lightly. In addition to the health concerns this may bring, unsightly abnormal looking nails are also detrimental to a polished healthy and hygienic appearance. This is because the condition of our internal health is often a direct reflection of our outer health. However, when you are eating the right foods, you improve your overall health and appearance and the condition of your nails improve as well. So what are the problems associated with unhealthy nails? Pale nails can be a sign of anemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, and malnutrition. White nails with darker rims can indicate liver problems such as hepatitis. Yellow nails may be a sign of fungal infection. And if the infection gets worse, it may become thick and crumble. Bluish nails or clubbing of the nails may mean the body is not getting enough oxygen and may indicate an infection of the lungs. If you have spooned nails, this could be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Rippled or pitted nails can be an indication of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. There are many other warning signs your nails can tell you. One way to achieve healthy nails is by eating the right foods. Any kind of nutritional deficiencies can lead to a poor immune system and disease such as the ones described above. When your body is out of balance, your appearance will be out of balance as well. So what are important steps to take in order to have beautiful healthy nails through healthy eating? First of all, eating processed food has poor nutritional value and will not give you the nutrients you need for healthy nails. Cookies, chips, processed meats, desserts, soda, candy, fried food, and French fries provide zero benefit in terms of nutritional value. With poor nutrition, nail growth can be hindered and leave your nails brittle and weak. However, by including the appropriate foods that contain the important nutrients vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, zinc, iron and protein, you can maximize your potential for healthy nails. Here is a list of foods that have high concentrations of these nutrients that help to achieve healthy nails: Vitamin A: kale, carrots, parsley, spinach, sweet potato, broccoli, mango, tomatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, nectarines, watermelon.  Look for reddish/orange colored fruits and vegetables Vitamin B (vitamin B-12 and biotin): vitamin B-12 sources include meat, chicken, milk, fish, shellfish, and fortified cereal.  Biotin is found in high concentrations in boiled Swiss chard, brewer’s yeast, fortified cereal, egg yolk, legumes, nuts, and milk. B vitamins, in general, are found in whole unprocessed food. Whole grains, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, tempeh, beans, yeast, molasses Vitamin C: orange juice, citrus fruit, berries, parsley, broccoli, bell peppers, papaya, kale, cauliflower, mustard greens, Brussel sprouts Calcium: broccoli, collard greens, turnip, low-fat yogurt, mozzarella cheese, blackstrap molasses, sesame seeds, sardines, spinach Folic Acid: spinach, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, collard greens, asparagus, garbanzo beans, lentils Zinc: seafood, meat, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, turkey, low-fat yogurt, boiled green peas, mushrooms Iron: kale, whole grains, liver, prunes, molasses, soybeans, lentils, spinach, tofu, sesame seeds, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds, garbanzo beans, navy beans, protein foods Healthy nails are a direct correlation of what you eat. Making sure you put the right foods in your body helps to achieve not only healthy nails but also a healthy inside so you can minimize your risk for serious chronic disease. Remember that your appearance is directly related to internal health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and optimizing beauty regimens with the right beauty tools can bring out the best in your nails and overall health. If you are eating healthy, then taking care of your nails and hands with manicures is a secondary step to maintaining healthy nail beds and skin. See How to Do a Manicure at Home in 7 Easy Steps article. Health and Wellness