2 Year Old Nose Picker

Maybe he picks because his nose is dry, so he needs it hydrated (Ayr jell). Talk to him about it and explain the nose bleeds come from his fingers giving him oueys in his nose. Try clipping his fingernails back and clip off or file the edges so there are not rough edges. His nose could be dirty beyond the nasal cavity you could visibly see. At two, blowing probably isn't option, but try to keep it clean. The scabbing from a previous nose bleed could be irritating him, so he picks at it. So here it goes again, keep the jell on it so it will stay moist. Habits are hard to break and take constant reminders not to do it and then it is still difficult.

I strongly suspect that he's picking his nose because it's dry and uncomfortable. How do you know it's clear? You cannot see into the back of his nose where the nostril's openings enter the pipe going into the throat. His nose would not bleed if he weren't breaking the membrane and he wouldn't scratch the membrane if it were moist. He won't pick if there's nothing to pick at. So why don't you want to know how to keep it hydrated?

Why are you focusing on the behavior instead of the cause for the behavior? If you eliminate the cause then you've eliminated the behavior once his nose is comfortable. Try looking at the behavior from the view point of the child. Once you understand the reason and deal with the reason the behavior will gradually stop.

Because you mention OCD, I'm wondering if you're thinking that your son has a more serious problem. Remember sometimes a rose is just a rose. I have a nose that is frequently dry whether I live here in OR or in Tempe, AZ. I use Vaseline or a personal lubricant nearly every day. If I didn't I would be constantly picking my nose. As it is, I still sometimes do when I think no one can see me.

If you use the little noses saline spray, it may help curb his picking problem. He may not like the moist feeling and can help clear the nose. There are probably little sores and scabs in there right now from the picking/bleeding, and that is most likely what he is scraping off, and will continue to pick at those, which causes further scabbing, and the cycle continues. Trying the Little Noses should hopefully help jolt him into a new behavior, as it helps to condition the nose, which is probably uncomfortable for him. This is the advice our pedi gave to us for the same problem.

Another thing you can try, is maybe offering him a distraction... a soft toy or small blanket or small pillow he can hold for comfort.

Just explain to him that bugers are really nasty because they catch all the germs out of the air. Make sure he knows that he can make everyone else sick once he gets sick. Bugers belong in a tissue so take him shopping for his own special tissue box. I hate to see kids hurt themselves also and so I hope this helps. I can tell you care or you wouldn't ask. My oldest daughter was that way and she could relate to this easily.

When my son went through this phase, we told him it was dirty and made him go get a tissue every time we caught him picking his nose. Within a week he picked lots less, and within a month not at all. He didn't like being made to go get a tissue...it was inconvenient to him to have to stop playing! Good luck!

He is two...Consider telling him not to pick his nose, and then redirecting him.

You can also mention the germ thing...there is a book: "Those Mean, Nasty, Downright Distgusting but invisiable germs... (http://www.amazon.com/Disgusting-but-Invisible-desagradab...)

I do not know that they have nose picking in there, but it helps with the concepts of germs. I used this to get my son to brush his teeth...because "Those germs in your mouth that make cavities like to tink away at your teeth with little hammers and chizles...they go *tink* *tink* *tink*...But you can get rid of those 'Tinkers' by brushing your teeth!" I also would tell him that sugary foods and drinks would turn them into Super Tinkers...that was often all he needed to know and he would avoid sugary foods or run to the bathroom and vigorously brush his teeth.

My point of the story isn't about tinkers, but that the book listed above gave us a common reference about germs and I used it as a platform to change my son's behavior.

Good luck.

My advice is give it a little time. Both my boys were pickers and then just one day it seemed to stop.

I have a 2.5 yr. old. I noticed that when he associated with one of his friends- and avid picker he would come home and stick his finger up his nose. I immediately put a stop to it, by treating this as something that we don't do- like going outside without mommy, or climbing the stairs. and with that was knowledge that the punishment for doing it would be equal to one of these other things. It might seem harsh- but not to me when I think of the many sicknesses that children spread by these habits. And that was effective- I have never seen him picking his nose other then that initial time- which he did while looking in the mirror- so I know he was just imitating what he had seen. I like the suggestion of Christina below- I used that to help him keep his hands out of his mouth. Just explain that germs are little bugs that can make you sick.