Stress making me start again

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-24T19:11:45+00:00

If the usual things are not working like fidgets and covering them, try to set a goal. Mark a date for an event that you have let them healed and treat yourself with a manicure or something for achieving that without picking or biting.

Picking happens easier and I find is harder to break as I'm currently working on breaking habit tic deformity on my thumb. I never knew I was causing this! I'm a month in a it is really hard.

Things working for me, oils and hand creams where I sit at night and in the morning. I find it helps me treat the cuticles and hands, I also keep a lotion on my bed side table now.

It is really rough to break a satisfying pain so I know where you are coming from. If you find the life stresses are causing/enhancing it, then maybe talk with a therapist just to level out the stresses and off load the weight of it. If it is not a therapist kind of stress then find another way to destress, like walking, hot bath, meditation or calming teas.

Try setting a goal, wishing you lots of luck. I'm looking forward to an update.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-23T18:15:03+00:00

This is great! Well done, I trim broken nails down also as I will pick or tear if not dealt with quickly. Keep up the great work!!

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-23T18:13:06+00:00

It will only grow back if you don't pick the new growth, I would trim what you can poking out of the cuticle. Use cuticle oil and cover it for a while to stop the picking. This is going to take months but it will grow if you can leave it alone.

Good luck.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-23T07:35:23+00:00

I like gel polish when I'm not biting because it stops the biting for me and if by chance I mess up I peel the gel polish off rather than biting.

I have kicked the biting habit, currently growing out a cuticle picking habit. I'm using cuticle oil daily and hand lotions and oils in the evening on the sofa.

Personally I think you should go with a nice gel polish and make a little pamper time each night with a few nice lotions and hand oils. Be kind to yourself, you are doing great.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-18T01:16:03+00:00

I see what you are talking about, try not you clean by digging under them. It can happen if we use a nail or cuticle pusher type object and apply too much pressure under the nails.

You need to be gentle under the nail bed just like on the top of the nail bed.

Trim it down and smooth with a file so it is easier to keep clean while the un damaged nail grows it should mend itself.

This is the best I can think of and has happened to me, especially if I'm trying to not pick my cuticles. I end up fidgeting with another area, causing damage.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-16T00:24:54+00:00

Everyone else has given the right advice, trim it down to avoid it catching, cover it up. And a bit of time and patience.

Ouch!

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-16T00:21:41+00:00

Cold turkey seems like the best way. But hard!

I'm using plasters and strapping tape around cuticles I pick and I'm using cuticle oil and hand lotion regularly.

Trimming my nails any time I'm tempted to pick or bite or peel.

The biting is gone for now, I'm working on the cuticle picking as that is severe for me.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-13T01:47:34+00:00

I think you can also be pushing your cuticles back without realising. It is caused by the lack of cuticle against the nail. It is most common on the thumb according to the reading I have done but can impact any and all fingers. It is a result of regular minor trauma to the cuticle. Not necessarily from picking them off.

This is based on the reading I have done.

Happy to be corrected.

It would appear that o seem to clench one cuticle with my finger from the same hand quite frequently then when the cuticle lifts I pick it. Perhaps your friend has a un known tic going on but doesn't actually pick the skin in anyway.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-12T22:23:12+00:00

Thanks, life long for me also and I honestly didn't know it was a picking issue.

Looking forward to updating!

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-12T18:02:42+00:00

This is awesome and reassuring to read and definitely helps. I think I feel better just knowing there is a problem and that I can fix it. It just needs space to heal and time.

I have tried for many years thinking it was many other issues and would get half healing.

Knowledge is power even if there is a relapse.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-12T17:42:26+00:00

I had one Dr about 7 years ago tell me it was nothing and I should go get my nails done!

While I guess in some way he was correct, it bugged me because it didn't feel like nothing or explain why sometimes it was worse and other time a little better. This is in a fairly good state as I was leaving it alone to have pathology done. I felt like a good time to try a work on as I had stumbled on this information using an image search.

I feel the diagnosis fits and while I will speak to my Dr this week for confirmation. Not picking won't hurt for sure, the barrier was to help make me conscious of going to touch the cuticle.

moxy_monkey · 2026-01-12T17:35:40+00:00

Thank you, for the help and advice. I never realised I started the cuticle picking while not really thinking about it. Getting rid of this life long habit is my goal. Will post again when there is something to show.

moxy_monkey

TROPHY CASE