how to stop child biting their nails

[nihn]

Ds is constantly biting his nails at the moment. He's 7. Just been to his Xmas school performance and he basically spent the whole time just biting his nails. Any suggestions how best to tackle it? Just to say - he might be ND ... but not sure whether this is related.

I used to do this incessantly. My mother tried the bitter tasting stuff and that didn't work.

What really stopped it for me was when I painted my nails. Could you paint your DS's nails during the school holidays? It takes about 6 weeks to break a habit. I don't know what he or his school would think, maybe clear varnish during school if that is allowed or coloured varnish during the holidays and do it over the Summer. I found the change in texture and the idea of eating varnish really put me off.

I have ADHD and have been a nail biter all my life, to my shame. Two things I've realised, one is that it keeps my hands "busy", so I'd recommend trying some fidget toys, he might not be able to use them in every scenario but it may help. Secondly, I don't like the "feel" of having nails. so I would keep his cut as short as possible.

I was hoping the bitter taste liquid would help but it hasnt so far.

Tell him how unhygienic and unpleasant it is. And just gently remind him when you catch him doing it. I don’t know how but I know people claim they don’t realise when they’re doing it, so reminding him not to would be my first choice.

If you think he’d like a fidget toy or bracelet with beads to play with, then I’d let him choose a few.

It’s a really disgusting habit so you’re doing him a favour in helping him stop now.

Don't call him disgusting or say its a disgusting habit. You can't shame him out of it.

I'm ND, I have bitten my nails all my life, I'm now mid forties. It's a stim. I get really anxious if I can't do it. Tried everything.

Unless he wants to stop, he won’t. I mean, dd is 11. She wanted to stop biting her nails and she did for a while. Especially with the stop n grow stuff. But then she just started to bite again and doesn’t really wanna stop

The only thing that stopped me was having a wobbly tooth (as an adult) and having to wait 2 months for a dentist appointment and not wanting a missing tooth while I waited.

He needs a replacement activity that achieves the same effect for him

Chewing gum?
Light gloves?

I’m not ND and have always bitten my nails and it’s just a fidget thing with me - I’m that person who is always clicking pens, playing with my hair, messing around with my work lanyard or biting my nails. As I got older I stopped doing it when I’m out but still sit biting them in the evenings.

My mum used to slap my hands away and coat them in that horrible varnish, that just meant I started spitting as I was biting.

A fidget toy is a good idea, something silent he can have in class without causing too much distraction to other kids. I volunteer with Rainbows and one of the kids has started wearing a necklace that’s got what looks like a rubber guitar pick which she bites on which might be worth a try.

Dint tell him how gross and unhygienic it isbecause he’s 7 and he doesn’t care. I’m 39 and know fine well how disgusting it is and I still bite them.

I wanted to break the habit.

My mum tried all sorts to stop me.
My nan tried everything.
Nothing worked. I had to want to, even still I have a nibble now and then.

If and when they are ready I stopped, try not biting one nail, just one for a week, then 2 nails for a week. Slowly build up. I like seeing the few nails I did have looking nice.