My 3 1/2 year old began biting her nails in February of this year. We were moving from GA to NJ and this seemed to be her reaction to the changes in her life. Now we are settled in to our new home and she loves it here. How do I approach the nail biting issue. She knows we do not like it and we have told her it is not good for her. She constantly has soares on her fingers because of it. What do I do ?
Thanks so much for all of the advice. We had a manicure and pedicure session today and her nails are painted. She keeps telling me she is NOT going to put her nails in her mouth so we'll see what happens.
They do make something that you put on their nails that tastes really nasty. Believe me I used to bite my nails and I ended up pulling the skin off the side and it became infected. I had to go to the Dr to have it lanced and I never bit my nails again. Ask the pharmacy if they still make it and use it everyday. The pharmacist my recommend something to you also. I am not sure what it is called but they pharmacy may be able to help you.
Hi C.,
Being a former nail biter myself, LOL! Give her tasks to do to keep those fingers busy. Also you and her can do Manicures on each other. Nothing too serious, a nice bowl of warm soapy water, some buffing to make the nails shiny! Encourage her to take care of her nails so she can safely wear nail polish.
Even at her age let her be aware of the value of having healthy and pretty hands and toes too!
Good luck
A.
As a child I used to bite my nails also. My mother went to the pharmacy and purchased a little bottle, like nail-polish size, of this liquid that she applied to my fingernails with the enclosed little brush. The red-colored-liquid tasted hot on my tongue, and I stopped biting my nails. It's worth a try. Good luck!
Hi C.,
I know she's only 3 1/2 but they do make a "stop nail biting" nail formula at most drugstores or specialty stores ie; Vit-A-Life, Harmons, etc. It's a solution that gets painted on the nail and has a very foul taste - one bite and she'll say "ick!!". After putting it on you could reward her by painting her nails (they do sell "kid friendly" nailpolish that dries very quickly). She'll love her painted nails so much that she won't want to bite them!
Hope this helps!
