Nail Biting= Self-Injury?!

Off in on since kindergarten I've had the nasty habit of biting my nails. I don't know what causes it, it just happens. When I was younger it was just biting the nail portion, but as I got older it got worse. Now, I bite the skin, and bite so much at the skin around the nail, it bleeds.

I've been trying to kick the habit, and I don't even know if its caused by something. My fingers are always red, and lately I've begun to gnaw away at the skin on the knuckle of my thumb. It's really disgusting, I know, but I don't even know what causes it.

Any suggestions?

Nail biting is usually seen as a nervous habit (anxiety) - but this is only one explanation for why people (kids & adults) may nip at their nails.... of all the nervous habits — which include thumb sucking, hair twisting, and nose picking — nail biting is the most common one.
Please keep in mind that you may be doing this for a number of other less worrisome reasons — out of curiosity or boredom, to relieve stress, to pass the time, or simply from force of habit.

What to do - - Keep your hands occupied....
If you can pinpoint the times and places when you are most likely to bite your nails — while watching TV, for example, or riding in the car, when anxious, while feeling upset or hurt — try giving your self substitutes such as a squeezable ball, or a bendable toy / item to keep the hands busy. (and) Cut the fingernails short so there's nothing to tempt you to bite.... Good luck.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

I used to bite my nails when I was in school. I started when I was very young. The thing that helped me to quit biting them was every time I wanted to bite them or found myself chewing on them, I pulled out a nail file and started to file my nails. I also started chewing on my fingers (the knuckles). It keeps me from biting the nails at least!

Hrmm...I might just file 'em short then. I've noticed that I won't nip at the ones that have already been worn down enough to where their is only the base part of the nail. So maybe I'll try all that.

Thank you for the advice! <3