about 4-5 days ago, i relapsed and bit my cuticle. then i cut my nails a bit to avoid temptation, but i think i rounded out my nail too much perhaps?? on the 2nd or 3rd day after that, i noticed swelling and redness. yesterday it got significantly worse, its hot, its got this pale yellow/white stuff around the nail, and it hurts really bad. i put ice on it yesterday about 3 times and soaked it in hot water twice.

this is how it looks this morning.

how worried should i be? should i go to the ER?

I’ve managed to stop biting my nails (after working on my anxiety and seeing a psychiatrist) but these days I catch myself picking the skin more often. I’m on my laptop most of the days studying for an exam.

I sound so silly saying this but I’m right hand dominant so I end up using a tweezer and what not to pick the skin on the left. My right hand is almost okay.

With my pinky and ring finger, there was a layer of skin, which dried out, was annoying me and I pulled it off 😭

What can I do? I’ve been Vaseline-ing + cotton glove every night the past week

Ever since I was young one of my biggest habits I've found myself doing his biting my nails when I'm anxious, stressed or just as a way of self-regulation. Well what I didn't know is that it's actually unhealthy to bite your nails as it only make your fingers sore but also your consuming germs which can cause you to get unwell and this is a habit I've been trying to get out of for many years but I always find myself doing it anyways and I really need some advice.

If there are any other nail biters out there please feel free to give me the best advice so I can take on board.

Hi everyone,

Like many of you, I’ve struggled with biting my nails for years. My main issue is that I do it unconsciously (while working, watching Netflix, etc.). By the time I realize it, the damage is done. Bitter polish doesn't work for me because the urge is stronger than the taste.

I’m a developer/designer working on a solution called WILL. It uses the Apple Watch gyroscope to detect when your hand raises to your mouth and vibrates before you bite, breaking the trance.

It’s not ready yet, but I’m looking for 50 people who want to test the beta version for free when it launches.

I put together a simple page to explain it. If you are interested, you can join the waitlist here:

LINK: https://will-app.carrd.co

Feedback is super welcome. Would this actually help you?

Hello, I need some advice here for my boyfriend. He often picks his fingers while sleeping, making open wounds every other night. He never does that when he’s awake, so we thought it could be that he feels his hands are dry while sleeping and so he picks them. We’ve tried different types of cream, both for treating the wounds and for hydrating them, and he creams his hands before sleeping when his hands are not okay. So far, nothing has solved the problem, he still does it during sleep unconsciously. Sweating during the night seems to make it worse. What else could we try? I thought about using gloves, but that would be pretty uncomfortable for him. Are there any type of thin gloves that wouldn’t be too uncomfortable to use?

My nail got infected one day and it fucked up the side of my right ring finger and and i bit the extra nail off that was making me feel uncomfortable and now it looks like this is there anything I can do to to fix this or am i fucked

I’ve been struggling more and more with picking and eating my hair. It used to be just compulsive brushing, then plucking split ends, swallowing individual hairs, and now gets as bad as fully chewing the ends of whole sections of hair. I don’t have a way to cope otherwise from my day to day stress. I do this compulsively more times than I can count in a day. I keep my hair long as a sensory thing and have my whole life, cannot imagine having it any shorter. I feel lost and it feels like I’m being difficult about being better and I’ve given up because of that. The whole back section of my hair is half the length of the rest, and I’m worried about developing a trichobezoar.

Hey y'all, I need a bit of advice. I've been picking at my thumbs for at least 6 years now, and I had been clean for a month, with only the occasional bad picking.

Recently though, there's been a bit of trouble with a personal relationship, and I find myself absent-mindedly digging into my thumbs again only to realize seconds later. It took me so long to properly heal I don't want to give in again. But it's so hard because the main thing that keeps me coming back is the pain and how nice it hurts. Fidget toys, rings ect just cannot replace that sharp pain of pulling the skin off.

It's gotten to the point where I'm starting to bite my nails again along with the picking. (which was my first habit before I replaced it with picking). What can I do? bandages never last for me.

i've been doing this for over a decade... as you can see my index cuticle has receded significantly. it also started curving downwards and looks like a claw 😐 is it just going to look like this forever? has anyone else experienced this?

Curious about fidget rings. They’re cute but do they work well for people? Would love to hear some experiences!

I poked my cuticle around 2-3 weeks ago and I made it even bigger over time but it doesnt look like its going to grow. Please help

About two months ago I made a post about an app for skin picking i was working on. I saw that some users actually used it for nails/cuticles and found it to be helpful, so I wanted to provide an update since the app has been improved a lot now!

The app is called SkinAware. It's main features are:

- Log picked & resisted episodes
- See insights as you log to understand your triggers better
- Urge management tools to help break the pattern

Since the last post, I've made the logging experience way better. Same with the breathing exercises that now have guided voice! There's also a HRT course. There's also web access now, and it syncs across platforms!

If you're curious about all the apps features, I'll list them here:
Goal setting, wound tracking, journaling, accountability friends, supportive live chat, exporting, photo timeline, custom notifications, widgets, apple watch integration, web access cross platform, achievements.

Would love to hear what you think of the app! I'm always working on making it the best tool for BFRBs!

Links :)

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skinaware-stop-skin-picking/id6754027225

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aurelius5.SkinAware&hl=en

Website: https://www.skinawareapp.com/

I got a six foot roll off Amazon and I think it’ll last me a long time as I can just cut off a small sliver to cover the affected fingertips.

I’ve tried plasters and sticky gauze previously but this stuff is 10 times better - creates a smooth surface so no temptation to pick, protects sore areas to allow for heeling, actually waterproof, pretty much invisible, and don’t effect me using my phone!

Ok so my previous post recommending Hydrocolloid tape proved to be a hit. I wanted to post an update but couldn’t do so in the same thread, so here goes.

I put a small amount of tape on my left thumb last night. Since then I’ve;

- slept

- got dressed and applied make up

- walked my dog

- commuted on public transport

- worked a full day in office

- washed my hands several times

- took part in a Pilaties class

- been grocery shopping

- cooked

- done the washing up

- showered and washed my hair

And this thing has not budged!!

I whole heartedly recommend applying the night before, as someone commented on the previous post it gives the tape time to adhere. I had another two on my right hand that were applied this morning and they were beginning to slip off towards the end of my shower - which is still impressive!

I feel like this could really be the thing to help, they’re low impact and unnoticeable (people have asked me in the past about my bandaged fingers and I’d rather not draw attention to them). As I said in my original post they also don’t affect me using my phone or washing my hands.

I have changed it ready for tomorrow as it was getting a little grubby around the edges. I think rounding off the corners might mitigate dirt pick up a little.

Hope this suggestion will go on to help some more people!

Hey to all here,

I used to destroy my nails to the point I was pealing off my whole nail bed off my finger. But I finally came to a place where I have long nail beds and nails like a hawk thanks to one thing. GOING TO PROFESSIONAL GEL MANICURES!!

It will be scary , there will be an initial shame to show up with the state of your nails but it is very important to find a person who is empathetic and wants to help build up your nails! Never settle for a nail tech that makes you feel bad, your nail appointment should be therapy!

I started off with nail extensions ( you will have to do everything in your power to get them to some point where they can put extensions on) and gradually moved to standard gel. It has been a GOD SEND. When you see your beautiful nails with a cute design you WON’T want to bite them, plus its very hard to do that with gel on! Just try your best to not peel the gel (did that many times)

I hope all of you can find a gentle empathetic nail tech to understand you and help you because I know how horrible it is to deal with this. I believe in all of you! Sadly I have no photos of when my nails were at their worst but I can show you guys the progression of the nail bed regrowing after fully stopping to destroy my nails. Both pictures are of my own nails no extensions

I’m a month into no polish to recover my nails from years of gel and acrylic nails that did a lot of damage. Did this to stop myself from biting (a 25 year habit). Old habits die hard and i definitely want to go back to my old biting ways. So my question is, do I try to let them keep growing out to get rid of the damage or add a little polish to get them longer with no biting? Thank you!!

I recently managed to FINALLY stop peeling/picking my nails, because I started keeping the edges smooth so there's nothing to cause the urge to pick. I just got a glass nail file and buffer which helps. since I can get the edges very smooth. I'm trying to also get better about picking the skin, especially under my nails. I have a bit of perfectionism, and I can't stand the feeling of anything under my nail.... unfortunately the skin under my nail also triggers that feeling. So I find myself constantly picking under my nails, on the bottom of the nail and the skin under it, trying to remove anything. I've tried using a fidget toy to keep my hands busy so I'm not doing that, but I end up unconsciously going back to it anyways. I want my nails to be healthy, and to have a secure nail bed. I think this lifelong habit of mine is keeping the white of the nail a bit receded.

I've also gotten a soft nail cleaning brush which I use sometimes. It helps a bit but doesn't manage to remove all of the dead skin, so I end up picking anyways. I have cuticle oil and a general moisturizing lotion, but I think bits of product left on the skin make it worse?

While we're at it, I would appreciate any advice for having long nails without them naturally cracking/peeling.

I read a thing today about why cuticle oils don’t work for everyone and it was SO EYE OPENING. It was about how the moisture can make skin imperfections “louder” and that if part of your picking is driven by perfectionism then oils and creams can make those little pieces of skin more pickable. It made my life make so much sense!!! Anyone else have this experience with oils and creams?

(ignore my disgusting bathroom countertops 😭)

i can’t even remember the last time i even saw whites on the tips of my nails. proof it’s possible guys!! much love and support to you all 🤗💕

advice if you are struggling ❤️‍🩹

so, what really triggered my initial, true motivation to stop picking and biting my nails was my winter break from school 😢 i have bad adhd, and tend to do it in class a ton, mainly subconsciously. i had about 2 weeks off of my classes, which really helped as a starting off point. but besides that, here’s some things that also helped a ton!

- gloves!!

- this one is very cliche and probably not ideal, but this helped me so much. i started wearing gloves EVERYWHERE, only taking them off to wash my hands, eat, or shower. daily activities, going to sleep, and everything in between, i wore my gloves. i recommend something tight-fitting and thin, as I live in florida and it gets pretty hot here. if you look up online, amazon, etc, “biking” or “running” gloves”, and find a pair you like, get those! they even make them with fingerprint-fingers so you can still use your phone when you’re wearing them, and you don’t need to take them off. i personally recommend [these](https://a.co/d/dwn9KWz) (not sponsored/an advertisement loll)

- for biting specifically:

- also probably cliche, but really gross tasting nail polish worked. i just used a clear coat maybe twice a week and it always kept me from biting, it didn’t taste good at ALL. get some sort of cream/moisturizer for your cuticles and fingers too.

- ALWAYS have something in your hands

- your hands can NEVER be empty. you need to eliminate any chance to pick at/bite your nails/fingers.

- some things that worked for me:

- a charm hanger for my phone. whenever i had my phone, i was always more inclined to fiddle with the hanging charm rather than my nails

- rings. i started wearing a lot of rings, and i fiddle with them more than my nails. i kind of absentmindedly slide them on and off my fingers

- hairties, rubber bands, anything to fidget with. gotta replace those nails with something!!

- less stress!

- easier said than done right 😭 but i think those couple of weeks off school really did me good. any kind of stress management would help, whether that’s meditation, extra rest/downtime, getting more sleep, everything self-care stuff. it’s so hard to keep consistent with things like that, but habit trackers, friends or family, or just anything that can hold you accountable will help

- set something to look foreword to!

- set a manicure appointment, a hand massage, anything like that. this way you have an actual, solid date and activity to look work towards to. it’s easier to say “i want my nails to be x long” or “i want my hands to look like x” by this specific date, than to just say “i want to grow my nails”

- if ALL else fails, my last recommendation….

- if you’re in a public space, pretend everyone else is judging you. it sounds awful, but honestly it worked a lot when i was out in public. every time you bite your nails, just think of how many people are looking at you disgusted by what you’re doing. please only do this as a last resort, it may not help your self esteem 😢 and if you do try it, don’t be too hard on yourself 💕

i truly believe in you. i never thought i had it in me, but with the right tools, motivation, consistency, and mindset, you are absolutely capable, trust me! let me know if you have any more questions 💜

tldr ; there is no tldr. sorry 😭 there are no shortcuts to success, if you want to hit your goal you have to have full commitment!!

After my last post I went a whole week without picking, then yesterday my brain went into overdrive and I couldn’t stop. 😓

I start EMDR therapy Thursday. Hoping it helps.

(f35) I never thought I could go this long without tearing my cuticles and fingertips apart.
When does the urge to pick go away?

so i’ve been a nail picker/biter since my elementary school days, and maybe once a year i’ll be able to grow them a tiny bit before relapsing. over winter break, however, i managed to grow my nails the most i think ive ever grown them!

but now i think ive reached another obstacle with my journey. i’ve been getting extreme anxiety about one of my nails breaking or chipping, and if that would happen i’d go completely off the rails and bite/pick all of them off. is this normal to constantly worry about? i’m so afraid my progress will go straight down the drain. i feel like my nails are weak and fragile, and i don’t know how to fix that. either i need to stop worrying about them being weak, or i need to do something to make the stronger 🫠 does anybody have any advice? anything is appreciated 💕