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The question
I've been biting my nails since I was a kid and I've never been able to stop. Do you know any remedies that might work?
The answer
As with any habit you want to break, your chances of stopping nail biting increase when you have the right tools to help you along the way.
First, keep a cuticle cream at work and at home and apply it whenever you feel like biting. This will help in both high-stress situations – which can trigger the urge to chew – as well as those moments when you are bored. The cream will also strengthen the skin around your nails and help promote growth. Once you've got your nails growing, carry a nail file around. This way, when you feel temptation rising, you can shape your nails, instead of ripping them to shreds.
For the ladies, one thing I've found helps is a professional manicure. I used to bite my nails to the bone, but after spending the time and money to make them look their best, I stop dead in my tracks if the thought of hacking at those pretty tips ever comes up.
If none of this sounds like your bag, I'll scare you out of biting your nails. The more you bite down, the more likely you are to pass bacteria from your mouth into the torn areas around your nails. This could lead to serious infection. Scared yet?
Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty specialist on The Marilyn Dennis Show . Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com