If this helps...

I sucked my thumb until I was 11 (yes, 11 years old, gross and I suffered 10 years of orthodontic HELL as a result.) When I was finally forced to stop I started to bite my nails. Over time, this has evolved into chewing both the nails, the skin and the cuticles, to the point where sometimes I bleed.

I also pop zits. No matter how tiny the pimple is, I HAVE TO squeeze it. They actually look a million times worse after I squeeze the living crap out of them than before I touched them.

I suffer from OCD in other small ways too, checking impulses and keeping things in order - in their rightful place, but never to the point where it's interfered with my life.

About 2 1/2 years ago, I quit chewing my fingers and popping pimples completely. It was purely awareness and determination. (I also quit smoking 14 mohths ago...to be honest, it is the same type of skill, just on a MUCH different scale.)

(However, when I became depressed again I started to bite my nails again, *sigh* but I will quit again.)

The moral of my long winded story is that you can change the behaviour and stop biting your nails and have pretty hands if you want to. It's mind over matter. My hands were so beautiful (now they are totally ugly again.)

Feddy