I am 46 and have been biting my nails for over 40 years. I think I started before I was 5.
I have biten them down until there was nothing left. I would pick at the skin and cuticles, trying to "clean" them up and make them look somewhat nice.

I have had acrylics on my nails on and off for many years. Even when they came off, I would still bite what ever was left of my own nails.

This last July, I had my last set of acrylics gently removed. It took a long time to soak them off. I had waited about 4 weeks from my previous fill before taking them off.

This time I actually had nail tips. Although my nails were thin, I had a manicure and had them painted as a french manicure.

I took pictures and sent them to my sister, who is 11 years older than me and also a nail biter. We inhereted this horrible habit from or mother.

Since my first manicure, I have taken such good care of my nails. They were so thin, that most of them broke off all the way down a bit past the tips of my fingers.

This was very frustrating, but I kept my cuticles and fingers clean of hang nails and resisted that urge to feel the ripping of the nail.

I massaged my nails nightly with nail oil and applied hand lotion. I have not bitten my nails since July 1 and today I have extremely strong, and to me beautiful nails.

A week ago I bought Nail Magic. It has a slightly pink color and a nice gloss. This really has made my nails even much more durable.
I can even open a soda can with my own nails now !

All I ever wanted was just the slightest bit of nail to cover my fingers and I can proudly say that I have more nail than I have ever dreamed of.

I am so proud of myself. I love tapping my nails on my desk and and laying my hands flat.

I am no longer ashamed of them nor do I have to feel bad about myself.

Im sure you can relate. Tricks to hide our nails:

curling your hands up, sitting on your hands, distracting people away from looking at your hands. It sucks !

How embarrassed I was when my new husband would ask me to scratch his back. I couldnt ! I would just slap his back and tell him to rub mine first.

Going our to a bar, and placing the napkin carefully around your drink to have it drape over your fingers.

Well, I did it and I am so darn happy. There is hope and you can do it.

The times i tried to stop I did get the satisfaction that I could heara tap from my nails. I could scratch myself but then my compulsion would take over and that was that.