How do you stop nail biting?

[Lilliput]

A friends ds bites his nails to the point his fingers are really sore. She has tried "stop and grow" but he declared today that he's getting used to it plus it has brought his skin around his mouth out in a rash. He's 7 by the way. Any ideas?

I am 45 and have been doin it for 39 years so will read this with interest..

Bribery

My mum offered me a £10 (in the 80s) for every nail I grew, and a bonus of £50 if they stayed unbitten for a month or something. It worked and I had a fab new wardrobe of clothes (it went along way then)

Your friend's ds may be after a toy or 2 that may help focus him on stopping biting.

i think it's a nervous thing, can he do something with his hands, like drawing

He has to want to stop first.

Maybe like what posey suggested, a reward chart or something, each nail = a sticker.. then end of each week, trip to park, take him swimming or something inexpensive maybe???

DD1 who is 2 bites hers until they bleed, we will probably put a bit of raw garlic on her fingers to discourage coz i know she will hate it.. rather that then them get infected!!

oh yuk! raw garlic on fingers - pong

I bit my nails until I was 20. In the end it was sheer will power plus a bit of Stop n Grow and also, filing your nails regularly (even though you might think there's nothing there to file!)as it stops the hangy bits and therefore, the temptation.

However, think pointydog is right, he has to want to stop.

floatinginthemoonlitsky- dd1 has started on the toenails, quite amusing but just so bizarre!! make sure those a wellll trimmed!

She just suprised me with her flexibility , got right down there to try nibble them and then she burst out laughing the little lamb!!!

the raw garlic wouldn't work, he's originally from nepal so they eat A LOT of chilli and garlic!