4 years old & just started biting his nails

[Kath100]

DS has just turned 4 and 3 weeks ago (2 weeks before the birthday) started biting his nails, totally out of the blue. Now his thumb in particular is really sore because it's chewed to pieces. Should I
a) get that stuff that tastes foul from the chemists, paint it on his nails and hope he quits sharpish
b) chill out and try not to cringe every time I see those fingers going in or
c) do something else based on your valuable wisdom??!

Help!!

Mmmm don't really know what to say on that one as my two boys have been doing it for ages (toes too!) but don't make them sore. Has he started nursery/school or has any other major change happened? New baby/housemove? Have a word with your HV if she isn't a dragon and if she is maybe a GP or chemist? I find our chemists very helpful.
hope you find an answer soon hun x

My dd1 did this at a similar age, althought she never made herself sore.

I have tried most strategies, eg. bribery/incentives, use of coloured nail varnish (by request on ds, too, but that's a different story!), foul-tasting stuff from chemist (you have to really slap it on, and reapply frequently) and long explanations of how it's not nice. All work sporadically. Currently dd1 (aged 8) can earn the right to a half-hour extension of bedtime by presenting unbitten nails, washed hands, brushed hair etc.

Would second the suggestion that you ask yourself if any major changes/stresses occuring. Otherwise try each/all strategies and don't let it get to you too much. If it does, I find a large glass of wine very effective (reapply liberally, to parent, not child).

Ah ... sympathies Kath100 ...
My DS is 4 and started biting his nails recently too ...
In our case I believe it is yet another attention seeking thing (see thread on "Do all 4 year old boys turn into dorks???" as he has a new baby sister and he is struggling with the whole concept!
Also, by what others tell me, when they are 4 boys really turn into 'lads' and I can see that in my DS ... the sweet baby and toddler has gone completely and has been replaced by a football/sports mad, nose picking, stinky footed, nail biting, willie and toilet humour obsessed bloke ...
Heartbreaking but true ... and I am working hard to get my head around it all ...

Yesterday we bought Stop 'n Grow and put it on DS's thumb ... when he tasted it his face was a picture and he ran around looking for a drink ... DH and I couldn't help laughing (mean parents! ) but DS has promised that he will stop biting his nails ... hmmmmmm ... time will tell!

Just sending you some sympathy, Kath100. Both my kids bite finger nails and pick toe nails and H picks his fingers ALL THE TIME AAAAAGH. However, dd who is 7 seems to have stopped. I think she wants her nails to look nice. I tried stop & grow stuff on her but it made her sore fingers even sorer. Maybe they just grow out of it in the end.