Onychophagia -commonly known for nail biting- is a psychological pathology that is related, as a rule, to mishandling negative emotions such as nervousness, anxiety, stress or fear. In fact, this anomaly is usually aggravated in particularly stressful periods for people although, in more exceptional cases, it can also be analyzed as a kind of self-punishment with the aim of channeling some type of suffering. Be that as it may, before the recurrence of this custom we can use a series of home remedies.
Stop nail biting by using home remedies
- The goal of the home remedies Aimed at avoiding nail biting will have to be aimed at stopping the compulsive cycle, so it will be necessary to make this habit become something unattractive. One of the most effective tricks in this regard is to dip your nails in Tabasco sauce, clean them and then dry them. The strong taste of this product will remain in this part of the body for a long time, making this anomaly a very unpleasant experience. Other options include using alternatives such as castor oil or vanilla extract.
- Other popular home remedies focus on trying to relax the body as much as possible, so that you don’t feel the urge to bite your nails. In this regard, herbal teas are a great solution, as is the case with those made from valerian, passion flower or ginger. Using stress balls or other formulas with a similar meaning for a few minutes can also help resist and overcome the temptation to bite your nails.
- Finding alternative Sources of oral stimulation can be a good home trick to combat onychophagia. In this sense, it is possible to resort to sugar-free candies, ice cubes or sugar-free chewing gum. It can be tried, on the other hand, with foods such as raisins, carrots or celery that, in addition to reducing temptation, will provide important nutrients to the body.