Nail biting.
Why they do it
Kids will often start biting their nails because there’s something irritating them, like a dry cuticle or a long fingernail, and it’s either causing discomfort or just capturing their attention. “There’s just something there they need to get,” says Ponti. She adds that nail-biting tends to run in families and can be linked to anxiety. “It may have started with an anxious episode, but then it carries on because it’s self-soothing, or it’s just something that happens inadvertently when they’re watching TV. They put their hands in their mouth, and then start biting,” she says.
How to handle it.
Start by getting on top of any physical issues that are making it tempting to bite the nails. “Keep hands and skin well moisturized and keep nails nice and trim and clean so that there aren’t those little jagged edges of skin and nail that kids will feel that need to pick,” says Ponti. Redirecting their behaviour to a different action can also help. “If you see them biting their nails out of habit, redirect them toward something else to keep their fingers or mouth busy, like a fidget toy or a glass of water,” says Irwin. Irwin put Band-Aids on her son’s fingers to stop him from biting while watching a show. You can also apply bitter-tasting nail polish designed to discourage nail-biters.
What if I just ignore it?
When they bite their nails, kids are putting dirty, germy fingers in their mouth, which can cause illness. So for that reason alone, you should try to curb it. Nail-biting can also become a lifelong habit that can damage the cuticle as well as the skin around the nail; this can be painful, create chronic skin infections and cause the nails to grow in at awkward angles. Nail-biting can even wear down teeth, leading to chips and breakages. Be aware, though, that even if your kid successfully stops biting their nails, the behaviour could re-emerge under stress. Irwin advises to stay calm and just go back to the strategies that worked the first time.
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