Why do we bite our fingernails ?

[UM-Bot]

Why do we bite our fingernails ?

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How does biting our nails or cracking our knuckles help to relieve stress ?

[Still Waters]

I used to bite my nails but stopped a long time ago. I don't think it was a stress reliever, it was more of a bad habit with me. My dad used to bite his so perhaps I got the habit off him, my mum didn't and would pick me up on it whenever she saw me biting mine.

The knuckle cracking, I still do that now and then but it's more of a subconscious thing.

[Redefining Success]

I can't find a scratching post big enough for my hands.

I've even noticed my cat doing it at times, her claws, not my nails.

[DeeSember]

I used to bite my nails when I was little, my mom made me quit. Now I use them to scratch my head when I read internet post and watch silly videos.

[barbco196]

Oh, if people only knew what they were putting in their mouths when they do it.

[DeeSember]

Oh, if people only knew what they were putting in their mouths when they do it.

That's how my mom got me to quit, told me about all the nasty things. Now, I am a compulsive hand washer!

[lightly]

Finger nails are quite useful, but loooong ones can also get in the way. I wonder what our earliest ancestors did .. to trim their nails? Chewing them off would readily come to mind? Maybe the behavior is sort of instinctive .. but only manifests in some of us?

[docyabut2]

Its just a trait we have from infant hood when taken away the bottle or the boob of food, something to suck or bite on.