I’ve started biting my fingernails — many, many years after I stopped (about 20 years, I’d say). Well, I’m actually biting just the one, but it’s pretty bad. The nail broke the other week, and since then it’s been one of those bloody irritating things that I keep agitating at. I’ve put plasters over it, but I know that they can make it go funny, so at the moment I’m wearing one of those finger protectors over it to just stop me from doing it. The thing is, when the finger guard is off, the habit returns. The nail is very low, so putting nasty chemicals on it won’t help -I know that they sting like crazy because my parents used to slop it on them when I was a kid (I got used to the taste after a while anyway).

It’s bugging me that I’ve allowed an old habit to take hold. Grr...

I used to have my nails painted in mustard, until my parents realised I quite liked the taste so would suck them.

Biting nails goes through me, a bit like how rubbing cotton wool affects people, that sort of thing. I have never and could not do it.

I used to bite my nails until I was 13 and got braces on my teeth, then I couldn't bite them and got out of the habit. I'm like you though Paul, if I start nibbling at a hang nail or something I find it really hard to stop, I usually have to cut the nail right down and file it smooth as soon as possible.

My recommendation (as odd as it sounds?) Stick a small false nail over the top, you can buy them from Boots and they're impossible to chew

Have you thought about hypnosis for it?
I get tough skin on the ends of my fingers, and I'm forever nibbling at that. Not my nails though.

I'd recommend visiting a dentist, and having your teeth removed.

Then it will be impossible to bite your nails, and the problem will be solved.

No it won't, he'll just start gumming them

Plus you'll be really popular in the homosexual oral department

Hmmm, perhaps a win-win solution would be to visit a surgeon and have your lips sewn together??

I bite mine but it doesn't bother me