Sometimes even at the bits of skin where nail meets finger, and it's something I want to stop :-(
Aside from that bad-tasting stuff that you can get in the nail-care section of supermarkets and HBA stores, does anyone have any advice on how to stop this bad habit without taking up worse habits in the process?
I used to do it too, and I still do, but now it's for the purpose of keeping my nails neat and trim, believe it or not...
The way to stop the destructive biting of nails is just to take notice every time you begin to do it, and then immediately stop. Force yourself! Even if it leaves your nail rough and odd-shaped, just stop.
To constructively bite them: once you have gained self-control over your nail-biting, this could come naturally.
I always just trim my nails as much as possible. They're still really short, but at least they aren't all chewed looking.
Get a nail-file.
Ignore the fact that you may come off as a nacy boy. Get a macho print or something if that makes you feel better.
When you catch yourself biting your fingernails, file them evenly instead. Do this in combo with the icky flavoured stuff, or if you're a female use dark-colored nailpolish that immediately will show if you're mistreating your fingernails - to get you more keen on not doing it.