My son (6) bites his nails, I've tried everything to try stop this, but nothing works. Any suggestions?

Question

My son (6) bites his nails, I've tried everything to try stop this, but nothing works. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

My son is 8 and we broke this habit when he was 6.  I made him wear bright orange gloves! we removed them at dinner and i took them off after he fell asleep.  He couldnt chew his nails anymore and he hated the gloves.  We also purchase this $60 toy and kept it on display as an incentive.  after 6 weeks we took off the gloves and he has not had a problem since.  One thing to consider- he picked this habit up from someone around him so once you remedy this situation you may want to try to prevent it from happening again

Answer 2

ignore the behavior.

Answer 3

YOu could try an old technique called avertion therapy.  The person wears a rubber band and everytime he does a bad behavior another person or himself snaps the band.  Of course it goes without saying that the goal is not to do injury.  It is a type of programing of the mind to associate biting of nails to a bad stimulus thus it terminates the biting of the nails.  Humans usaully do things when they get positively reinforced or negative reinforcement works too.

Answer 4

Does it really matter?  He will grow out of it.  He is probably doing it when he is nervous.  Just don't make a fuss and you will probably find when he is calm he stops biting his nails.

Answer 5

Don't force him to stop, he will stop in time. By you constantly wanting him to stop, he will think that you believe he is doing something wrong, which he is not. It's just a phase all children go through. Don't put stuff on his fingers or nails. He doesn't need any medication. It's perfectly normal and it will just make him feel different or stupid if you tell him it's such a horrible thing, when it indeed is not.

Answer 6

my mom said that i did the same thing! she put like hot sauce or vinegar on my finger tips so i wouldnt bring it near my mouth! REALLY WORKS!! even now i am affraid that my nails will taste like that! hah!

Answer 7

try hot sauce

Answer 8

Biting nails can be a habit for some, but for others is it related to anxiety.  I've bit my nails most of my life as has my sister.  It appears to be something beyond a habit as when I was taking a  sleeping pill that is also prescribed to those with significant anxiety, I stopped biting my nails with no effort on my part.  So, I appear to suffer from some internal anxiety, I guess, but since it doesn't interfere with my life, I see no reason to take meds for it.

If a couple of tries of putting bad tasting stuff on nails doesn't work, it is likely the same problem as me.  He could try sitting on his hands, but that tends to disturb circulation.

Answer 9

They actually have this stuff called Bitrex I believe is the name.  You can find where the nail polish and such is in the drugstore.  You paint it on his nails, and he won't bite them anymore.  It gives them a bitter taste.  I had to do this with one of my older boys around the same age, and it works.  Best wishes!

Answer 10

My dad paid me $10.00 to quit,,,,I did and never bit them again!

Answer 11

I hate to admit this, but I've bitten my nails my entire life.

I've tried and tried to quit. sometimes successful for up to about a month or two.

I have read a few studies recently that report nail biting as a pyschological trait that is really hormonal, and not a willful control habit.....

My 5 year old picks her fingers which is a similar sort of act and my 3 year old doesn't do anything.

I don't think there's much you can do to stop it. And bantering at him about it will really only make him feel terrible (personal experience - at 32 I'm still ashamed.  you know I'd stop if I could).

And - to back this hormonal thing up - after both of my delveries, when my milk came in, I quit biting my nails without even consciously thinking about it.  They were long and beautiful right up until I quit breastfeeding.  I think it's the oxytocin - which is a rexant and a boding hormone...

Answer 12

I think you should listen to me as I am a kid (:

I kind of now, but try this poison and put it on his nails, this poison wont affect him, but when he goes to bite them they taste HORRIBLE!

Now my nails are so pretty.

good luck!

Answer 13

make him wipe his butt with his bare hands and don't give him any soap!!!