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Children's health

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Original poster

HELP! My 6 year old daughter will not stop biting her fingers! What!

10 replies

RattyGremlin · 17/02/2020 20:36

This problem has been plaguing our household for years now. My 6 year old angel goes at her fingers like they're corn on the cob. It's not good for her and frankly horrible to look at. We need solutions. I'm at my wits end

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soniamumsnet · 27/02/2020 16:26

Hi @RattyGremlin just bumping this for you, and hopefully some Mumsnetters will be along soon with some advice.

ArthurandJessie · 27/02/2020 16:36

Hi ,

I'm now 27 still doing this but my mother never bothered to try and stop me ! It's actually a form of OCD and theres a big long name for it out there! I've heard people putting that solution on to stop you biting your nails helps some people but hasnt worked for me might be worth a try though ... half the time I dont even realise I'm doing it tbh :/ its strongly linked to when I feel uncomfortable or anxious as well does your daughter suffer from anxiety ?

Seeline · 27/02/2020 16:36

Do you mean her actual fingers or her nails?

If it's nails, I would say there is nothing you can do. I eventually stopped biting mine at 50 having started at about 2. And being honest, I have no idea why I bit them, or how and why I stopped.

ArthurandJessie · 27/02/2020 16:39

Dermatophagia is the term !

creaturcomforts · 27/02/2020 16:41

Can you buy some of the stuff that you used to get to stop nail biting? It has a strong taste that puts you off biting them. Just looked on amazon and they have mavala to help children stop biting nails and thumb sucking.

Don't know how well this works but might be worth a shot?

Seeline · 27/02/2020 16:43

Didn't work for me, just licked it off and carried on biting 😁

peachgreen · 27/02/2020 16:46

It's an anxiety thing I suspect. What does your GP say?

allfurcoatnoknickers · 27/02/2020 16:47

Sitting here ages 33 with nails bitten down to the quick. I can hold it together for a couple of months, but if I'm anxious...those nails are gone.

Sorry...

ScottishStottie · 27/02/2020 16:48

I bite my nails and the skin around my fingernails... I know its a bad habit but it doesnt really hold me back in life.

I would maybe chill out about it a bit. Extra anxiety about it certainly wont be helping your dd.

Maybe try telling her if she stops for 3 months you'll take her for a pamper day amd get her nails done?

Apple23 · 27/02/2020 18:01

It may be about Sensory Processing - but this would need to be diagnosed by an occupational therapist. Can she articulate why she does it? Is she biting to hurt her fingers, either to create an alerting sensation or to mask another pain elsewhere, or chewing to create a calming sensation in her jaw?

Once you know why, you are more likely to be able to find a solution, e.g. if the need is to chew something, could she have a chewable necklace instead to save her fingers getting sore (and potentially infected if she is breaking the skin)?

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