Nail Biting

Habits are common, whether hair twirling, knuckle cracking – or nail biting. Nail biting is so common that one study found almost one-third of 7- to 10-year-olds and almost half of adolescents bite their nails. Why? There are many possible reasons, including:

• Boredom
• Frustration
• Heredity

But once it becomes an unconscious practice, it’s a habit. Nail biting tends to peak in the adolescent and teen years, and is much less common in adults. Most people just grow out of the habit.

The problem is, not only do bitten nails look bad, but nail biting can cause other problems, including:

• Bleeding
• Infection, from the open sores and wetness
• Teeth and gum problems

To help your child stop the nail biting:

• Talk about the health problems it causes.
• Don’t punish or demean, just gently point it out to when you see it occur.
• Buy special nail polish, if gentle reminders don’t work. The nail polish isn’t harmful, but it tastes awful, which should help stop the nail biting.
• See a dermatologist if the nail biting doesn’t stop, and it’s causing infections and other problems.

Next: Nail Infections