A 38-year-old member asked:
How can you stop a child from biting his or her nails?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Derrick Lonsdaleanswered
Preventive Medicine 75 years experience
You can't: The more you try to stop it, the more he/she does it. This habit is often associated with other symptoms that indicate a hyperactive nervous system, most commonly activated through the ingestion of sugar in all its forms, including "diet" drinks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
How do you break a child from a habit of biting nails?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Patrick Hieberanswered
Pediatrics 52 years experience
Fingernail biting: This is very difficult to accomplish until the child is old enough to care about their personal appearance as it is usually an unconscious behavior. The good news it rarely has any health consequences other than the very occasional infection of the cuticle area (paronychia) which is easily treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How do you get your kid to stop biting nails?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jennifer Diaboanswered
Pediatrics 24 years experience
Difficult!: Nail biting is a very difficult habit to break. One thing you could do is have your child keep his hands covered with gloves to break the cycle of nail biting. Gently removing the childs fingers from their mouth each time you notice them biting is another method. In pharmacies, if you can find it, is nail biters liquid. This is a very bitter liquid painted on to the nails, and discourages biting.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
What are some methods I could use to stop my child from biting his fingernails?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Rebecca Perrilanswered
Pediatrics 11 years experience
Neg or positive: There are two ways to change behavior, negative and positive. For positive reinforcement we use rewards for any designated amount of time the child goes without biting. For negative we make nail biting a bad experience. One example is having your child soak his/her hands in vinegar. Then is tastes bad when they bite. It is up to you which you feel your child will best respond to.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 18, 2012
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