For most people who bite their nails, treatment is only required if the nail biting is persistent and causes distress to the person. Additionally, if the habit is so severe that it has caused damage to the nails and recurrent infections, then it is wise to seek therapy.
The treatment of nail biting includes some type of behavior therapy that helps reverse the habit. These habit reversal treatments include relaxation, self-monitoring, reinforcement, use of bitter tasting substances on the nails and even wearing dental occlusive splints so that you cannot bite on the nail. However, in many adults who bite nails, behavior therapy alone is not affective and some type of drug therapy may be required. Many adults who practice nail biting also have emotional stress, anxiety or other behavior related problems. In such cases, these disorders also have to be addressed in order to successfully treat nail biting.
The drugs of choice are the SSRIs. These medications have a low risk of adverse reactions and they promote compliance. Overall, it appears that with therapy, 60-80 percent of people can be treated but there is a high relapse rate if stress is recurrent.
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