How to Stop Nail Biting

Learn how to stop nail biting and you'll break a nasty habit that leaves hands looking ungroomed and ragged. Nail biting, like any bad habit, is not always as easily stopped as one may think because the reason behind it can be anything from a simple habit to a reaction to something worse. This habit, called onychophagia, can be a sign of a more serious problem the nail biter is hiding or does not want to face.
Nail biting is not a serious condition and can be fixed. In order to fix it, however, the reason behind it must be known. Simply putting something on the nails doesn't always work, especially when nail biting is a stress reaction. Most people who have been biting their nails for a long time don't even realize when they are doing it.
One way to help prevent someone from biting their nails is by applying a special type of nail polish to discourage them. These polishes are designed to taste rather nasty, bitter and sometimes down right disgusting. Other types are laced with capsicum, the same substance found in pepper sprays, but in greatly reduced amounts.

This type of application is useful both when someone is just starting to bite his or her nails and when someone has been biting for a long time. It is an immediate reminder they are, in fact, biting their nails and they need to stop it. Remember, most of the time people don't realize they are doing it and the nasty taste reminds them.
If that does not work, the root of the problem must be sorted out and solved. Nail biting is a nervous condition and cannot be taken all too lightly, especially if the person is biting there nails so much it causes bleeding and pain. This is a sign of a deeper-rooted problem and while the topical polish will definitely help them, it will not solve the real reason behind the problem.
For women, a good deterrent is simply having your nails polished at all times.  Every time you place your fingers in your mouth to bite them you will remember your nails are done and you don't' want ruin them. Since most people pay to have their nails done, this can work well especially since getting nails done professionally is not cheap.
There are also support groups out there who can help with serious nail biting issues but, in almost all cases, placing a deterrent on the nails is a great first step.