I bite the skin around my nails. i know i have to break the habit, but in the meantime is there anything i can put on the skin to ease the pain?

Lubricate: Carry vaseline or aquaphor. Rub in a tiny amount every hour or more. Avoid use of neosporin, bacitracin, triple antibiotic, etc. These are less than useless. They are common sensitizers: they cause allergic reactions without any chance of any benefit.

Vaseline: Avoid antibiotic creams. Studies indicate that they are useless. Worse, they are a common cause of allergic reactions. Several fatalities have occured. Gloves are not likely to be satisfactory. Lubricate frequently.