Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : May 27, 2015 10:50 AM IST
Nail biting is common among toddlers and usually stops as they grow older. However, this isn t same for every child. Some children continue to bite their nails till adolescence or even adulthood. While it s a habit that develops mostly due to idleness and boredom, it also indicates a deep psychological imbalance believes experts. So as a parent the onus is on you to break the habit before it is too late. Here are few things that you can do.
Engage your child in activities: When you see your little one put a finger between the teeth, don't shout or yell. Simply start a game that involves lots of touching and engaging of both hands, like
Do anything that makes your child engage both the hands. Make sure that you actively participate in these activities and help your child to stay glued to it for long. Remember left alone children lose interest in planned activities very soon. Here are 10 ways to help your child learn to read.
Make fingers taste bitter:Neem ka ras, karela ka ras or even a mix of lime and kerala (bittergourd) pulp, are tried and tested recipes for Indian mothers that helped them get rid of the habit. The idea is to apply these bitter juices on your child s finger while your little one is asleep. The bitter taste will make them detest the idea of biting their nail. However, this trick works well only for children under two years of age. So act fast before you run out of ideas or your little one becomes too smart and realises your gimmicks. Like nail biting, thumb sucking is another problem you should worry about in infants.
Go for a run: This might not be possible all the time, but try to take your child for a jog, stroll or play with the ball in the garden when you see your child getting busy with the nails. This will make your child move over nail biting to some real excitement. If you are not able to go out try some other games like counting the fingers or making a character like a dog, deer or fish with your hands and weave a story around it. Ask your child to enact the same. Here are nine reasons why sports is important for your child.
Talk about it: If your kid is big enough, say around five years of age, start talking about the perils of nail biting. How it can erode his teeth, lead to bleeding around the nails and probably make his friends tease him in school. And remember you are not making this up. This is the natural outcome of continuous nail biting.
Analyze the triggers: Boredom, stress or a particular situation what is it that leads to nail biting, find out. Sometimes even the fear to use the toilet could be a trigger. So be very attentive and watchful of your child s behaviour. Always look for clues that leads to nail biting. Addressing the issues at an early age will not only help your child break the habit but help him grow into a more confident and mature adult. Know if your child is suffering from anxiety disorders.
Give more hugs: If you get to know that the problem is not just a mere habit but a psychological one like fear or anxiety, then don't forget to give your child hugs and kisses to make him feel wanted. Deep rooted psychological problems need more love than treatment or therapy. Touch therapy works wonders for children suffering from psychological imbalances and can help them counter their fright to deal with the situation. Go for counselling if needed.
Increase calcium intake: Calcium deficiency is also a probable cause. So try and increase his calcium intake. Green leafy vegetables, dairy products and also a variety of nuts have a good amount of calcium in them. Don t give supplements to your child without consulting the doctor. Here are 12 foods that help to build immunity in children.
In any case, refrain from yelling scolding or punishing your child for biting nails now and then. It will only make it more disturbing for the child and unmanageable for you. So approach the problem differently. It is more work, but it calls for that much of effort. Here are five things the you should not do while punishing your child.
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References: 1: Leung AK, Robson WL. Nailbiting. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1990 Dec;29(12):690-2. Review. PubMed PMID: 2276242. Ghanizadeh, A. (2008). Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. Child and adolescent psychiatryand mental health, 2(13), 13.
