How to stop biting your nails?

Onychophagia: a ‘technical’ word for the habit of biting your nails! And it can affect any one of us, sooner or later …

What are the causes? Often, this habit starts in childhood or adolescence, in situations of stress or anxiety : fear of other people, exams, shyness, various kinds of competition, boredom, the end of the holidays, starting a new job …

And for some people, it continues into adulthood.

Did you know that one in 3 three French people bites their nails?

What are the consequences? Visually, hands with bitten nails look unsightly; psychologically, we show others that we take little care of ourselves and that we ‘mistreat’ ourselves. Onychophagia increases the risk of viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

How can you treat it? By using a bitter nail polish to stop yourself from putting your hands to your mouth!

We recommend the Belweder Bitter Nail Polish.

This discreet polish has a distinctly pronounced bitter taste to help you stop biting your nails. The taste lasts around 48 h, which is why we recommend reapplying it every other day, using 1 or 2 coats on clean, dry nails. The polish is made mainly from Denatonium Benzoate, a natural compound: it is non-toxic, effective and can be used from 3 years of age.

You can find our bitter polish in the SOS Bitten Nails Nail Care Kit.

Why is it essential to beat this habit?

To avoid the bacterial infections that come from biting your nails. They are more common than you might think!

Final tips: when the urge to bite your nails becomes too strong, try drinking a glass of water, chew some gum or keep your hands busy… And don’t forget the benefits of relaxation sessions, yoga or any other sporting activity that makes you feel good!