Good news for those struggling with nail-biting, skin-picking, or hair-pulling habits! A new study suggests a simple solution called “habit replacement.” Researchers found that gently touching the skin, like lightly rubbing the fingertips or palm, can help reduce these behaviors by 53%.
This approach, tried on 268 participants with trichotillomania or nail-biting habits, showed promising results. Compared to other methods, about 80% of nail-biters found this technique satisfactory. While more research is needed, this approach offers hope for those looking for self-help options to manage such behaviors, especially in the face of limited mental health services.
