Our Child Is Biting His Nails

I am almost 57 and have been a life long fingernail chewer. I have had periods in my life when I did not chew, the longest lasting 11 years. The first time I was really successful was with false fingernails. I had previously tried the nasty stuff and even surgical tape. Every time a stressful situation would come up (except in that 11 year period) off came the nails. The only other times I have been successful occurred during periods when I was either taking antidepressants or antianxiety medication. After studying my problem, I have come to the conclusion that fingernail biting is a form of obsessive/compulsive disorder, which may have a strong genetic component. Two of my three children also bite there nails to some degree. I agree with the others that it will not stop until the child decides to stop. Personally, i would not punish the child. Distract if you want, try the nasty stuff, try the homeopathic stuff with your doctor's okay, but don't sweat it. If in every other aspect you child is happy and healthy then don't make an issue of it. My parents tried with me to some extent and then just let me decide when I was ready. It the total course of human history and the universe, it is really not very important.

HI CM- As a former nail biter, mom of 3 (middle child still nail bites at times), unfortunately from my experience- the only thing that works is when the child decides not be bite nails anymore. I was in high school and told myself that I was done biting my nails. My daughter ( the on and off again nail biter), stopped awhile ago- and then started again. She bites her nails both absentmindedly and to relieve stress. She just graduated cum laude with her MA in Psychology.

Your ploys of trying to keep his hands busy so he isn't absentmindedly biting his nails is a good one. If he's biting from stress ( which happened to myself and my daughter)- if you can, try doing some active gross motor exercise- to work out the stress that way.

The nasty tasting stuff never prevented me from biting my nails either. If the drive is so strong to bite nails, you just get used to the taste unfortunately/ignore the taste of it.

I would tell you as a former nail bitter that the only thing that can help "for Sure" is homeopathy. Nail biting is a deep seated thing that comes on and can stay with you for life. It's like a compulsion, that says , "I've just got to get that one little thing." I am a homeopath and can say from experience that it truly helps. I would say that if you have him put on a constitutional remedy the symptoms will eventually just go away. I offer a mamasource discount, and would be happy to chat.

Well when Western medicine has no answer, you might want to talk with an Eastern medicine doctor/herbalist, (doctor of oriental medicine). They may have ideas using herbs or acupressure that might help. I use Dr. David Karaba in Fullerton at East West Medical Group.

Best wishes

M.

Just curious, what did the dr recommend?

Seek help of professional homeopath. Not an MD, ND, OD or chiro for whom homeopathy is something they add to spice up the practice. For this issue you’ll need the person for whom homeopathy is one and only modality. You can find one – pay attention – you’ll want the one with CCH after the last name:
http://nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/resources/practiti...
Good Luck
V.

Aloha CM,

Biting the nails can be the sign that something is bothering him. I could be something that to an adult doesn't seem like a big deal, but children are much more sensitive to the tiny details of life. I would suggest you keep of log of what you notice is happening around him each time you see him bitting his nails. Does it happen when people come over, or maybe it's a tone of voice, maybe it's just sounds the house makes.....there could be so many nuances. I would also suggest that when you notice him bitting his nails that you go over and hug him. At 2 1/2 years old, it's hard to verbally express any emotions or anxiety he might be feeling inside. Just be there for him and provide him reassurance with your calming presence. Should you ever have questions, do let me know. I am a parent mentor and it is my pleasure to help parents raise happy and responsible children! Visit http://www.lorrainepursell.com/

NAET.com for allergy eliminations. Mental,emotional & physical problems most of them stem from allergies.

Also, books on prodigy & advanced children, crystal & indigo children from Amazon.com.

Sometimes children who are advanced occur hard to deal with, they just need a little different mode of communication.

Be well.

N.