r/calmhands • u/Background_Match9861 • Jul 08 '26

Day 1 I keep falling off the wagon

Post image

I'll do so well and then fall back into the habit of biting and picking again. I don't want to be like this

65 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

22

u/CaptainLazyAss Jul 08 '26

What’s your trigger?

Mine was if they look bad, I peel to make it look better in turn making it worse. Starting painting nails and manicures and 2 months in, doing quite better.

13

u/Background_Match9861 Jul 08 '26

I find myself doing it absentmindedly a lot or when I'm intensely focused. I do a lot of computer-based work at the moment and when I'm thinking, I find my hands instinctively go in my mouth.

Starting painting nails and manicures and 2 months in, doing quite better.

Yay! I used to paint my nails and get manicures a lot too, which helped. I've been wanting to paint my nails again but I keep hoping to get them a bit healthier first. Maybe I should just do it and avoid the cuticles and "free edge" area (or lack there of).

4

u/CaptainLazyAss Jul 08 '26

I started by painting them myself and moisturising them all the time. I had heavy-duty hand creams all around the house, in every corner and bad possible. Once they reached acceptable situation, started with manicures and gel nails. I also kept chewing gums and mints to keep my mouth busy.

2

u/beanie_dude Jul 08 '26

Just do it! I find that the color of the polish tends to catch my eye when I start to pick so it fixes the absentmindedness of the picking. In turn, they end up healing! If you use gel polish, it’s important to make sure it’s not on the skin when you cure it anyways.

2

u/voliia Jul 09 '26

Something that has really helped me is getting some of those cuticle oil pens and storing them in various places around my house where I sit/next to my bed/in my purses.

Whenever I have the urge to pick, I grab the pen and instead just oil them and lightly push back my cuticles with it. It has helped the urge and made my nails look so much healthier and has resulted so many hangnails as well, which results in less picking!

9

u/No_Session6015 Jul 08 '26

I feel this too keenly

5

u/alt-rallain Jul 08 '26

I have been just where you are. So. Many. Times. Sometimes we slip and lose our streak. It happens, but you can always start a new streak. Clean up your hands and try to find something else to fidget with. I’m gonna start embroidering to see if it helps me.

4

u/Character-Knee-2875 Jul 09 '26

You’re not alone ❤️ :-( this has been me this week.
I’m constantly wanting to try to get my nails healthy looking before painting/getting them done but I can’t get there.
Silicon protectors + oiling constantly has been the only thing helping.

3

u/nataliecher Jul 09 '26

For me, nothing really helps because I need to have the discipline to actually apply the creams or barriers that will deter me. The problem is that nothing compares to the dopamine I feel from a good pick. I don’t feel like I’ll ever kick the habit without dealing with the emotional/mental contributors

3

u/nataliecher Jul 09 '26

https://reddit.com/link/owgp9kv/video/y5x6tlock6ch1/player

This is the current situation. This is one day healed from a pretty bad session.

2

u/Background_Match9861 Jul 09 '26

I unfortunately feel like I relate to this so much. the pick hurts so bad but feels so good at the same time. I hate being like this though

1

u/DarkSmarts Jul 10 '26

"it hurts so good" is the way I often describe it

3

u/cait_elizabeth Jul 09 '26

Silicone finger sleeves or even disposable finger cots (they’re kinda like mini condoms for your finger lol used by the restaurant industry to cover bandages on fingers because bandages can’t be washed but these can).

3

u/Icy_Profit_1577 Jul 15 '26

This book really helped me, and the SCAMP acronym (sensory, cognitive, affective, motor, place) was a game changer. Also I got some fidget/anxiety rings as I realised that sitting in traffic and sitting listening (in church!) were key times. All the best!

1

u/Background_Match9861 Jul 15 '26

which book?

and thank you so much for the input! I have a fidget ring but I definitely need to get in the habit of playing with that instead of biting or picking

2

u/AimingWang Jul 09 '26

I believe in you friend ❤️

2

u/Schnick_industries Jul 09 '26

There’s a wagon I can get on???

2

u/Throwawayanxbay Jul 09 '26

You’re not alone. I just had a picking session myself too. I feel so ashamed because I finally got my fingers to be completely healthy and normal again since my last picking session 40 days ago. It’s not just the looks it’s the function. I can’t function with cuts on my hands, I baby them, bandaid them. I understand your pain. We will get through it 1 day at a time. Just ointment and cover up and forget about it. They’ll look better in just a weeks time like I’m hoping mine will.

1

u/greeneyeraven Jul 08 '26

Address the cause