Son biting nails all the time

[gill321]

My son aged 9 has recently got into the habit of biting his nails, like all the time. I find it disgusting and it's making his hands look so grubby and horrible. This habit only started within last couple of months. Never used to do it. Think his got the habit from a couple of other family members who do it. I've always encouraged him to take better care of his appearance and hygiene. Not only that, I find it awful to see/hear/watch. Any other parents feel my pain?

Most children bite their nails for comfort, do talk to him about things to see if anything is wrong at school etc

I bit my nails,(I think it was because my sister got more attention than me ) and I developed a condition where the skin around my fingers didn't fall off so I had a pile of skin stuck on my nails. That and this product stopped me doing it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Grow-Stops-Biting-Deterrent/dp/B000LNCBBW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=61764208784&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3Pe8UTRV1Xuzzqxxd8L51gg2oq0cjZbEB8-n0FaxVuPBO0Zi-RcLaFSqLlgTfm6ylkxwnDw5vkBRuUUSKIShAgjdt40TkFbgrLBrQ0S1AArHCCnqE8LGqE8-eJxFDNmKL7HqbmY521_SVVoUAOXZmNMYYj4TQRUv2O9w23glxziyPA0UR9FOHx2KC5k0zcqh0-VYo8bLm46oux0gh2NORgCe84H-trSDBjh9NmBg7wfbvxqnrEn1E1sdPr4x3-LJUSEZM2y_zpmWCTSmid6pzouK3z1pOdf6HcuwvTj3EeA.oI8_kOawa8p1IAKDfr-0rvbKDpSxWRHVY2SGYCxpf5E&dib_tag=se&hvadid=267283546991&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9192782&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14564289207876495631&hvtargid=kwd-300147090168&hydadcr=13255_1752926&keywords=stop+nail+biting+kids&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730106769&sr=8-3

My son does this too. It started when he didn't like me trimming his nails so he would bite them instead. I haven't done anything about it because I don't want to make it an issue, but they do sometimes get red and sore.

I bit my nails from about 18 months. Despite many attempts to stop (including foul tasting varnish, mittens etc) I finally stopped at the age of 50. Just realised I hadn't bitten them for a couple of weeks - not trying to stop. I could never pinpoint the need to bite them, it just happened. I still struggle 6 years on if a nail breaks or it has a rough edge - I have to nibble it until smooth if I haven't got a file to hand.

I honestly don't think there is much you can do to be honest apart from having a chat to make sure everything in his life is OK - school, friends, general worries etc

I've bitten my nails and the skin around my cuticles from age nine. Please don't just take this as face value and ' just an annoying habit ' it could be much deeper and coming from built-up stress. My experience is doing it when I'm tired or anxious it's so compelling that the more I'm told to stop, the harder it is. I'm now 53 and wish I could overcome this compulsion. Do please talk to him and find out the route cause 🙏