4 year old biting nails CONSTANTLY

[Summershine22222]

How can I get him to stops ?

I've tried numerous nail varnish (he apparently likes the taste) and they just don't work

I've tried bribery with a toy of his choice if he stops but it doesn't work!!

His fingers are a mess, hes biting skimn and even makes himself bleed , I'm finding it really frustrating and upsetting and really don't know what to do!

I don't think he even realises he's doing it half the time as it has become a complete habit

I hear you, but with my 4yo it’s thumb sucking. Drives me demented.

We’re having some success with a thin strip of a plaster round the top of her thumbnail, which feels less good to suck (and chew, I suspect).

It would be a pain to do on every finger, but might be worth a go?

@Summershine22222 have you tried the nail biting product. You paint it on like a clear liquid and when you go to bite nails it leaves a nasty taste. Is this the type you've tried?

Distract distract distract. Little toys to fiddle with. At the same time, try not to mention it.

@Curlymam88 yes this is what I've tried, in various different brands 😩

Following with interest…

@Shelinaa thank you! This is definitely something I'm willing to consider to be honest!

@Summershine22222 It was slight desperation, and my DD also seems impervious to any type of anti biting/ sucking nail varnish.

We’ve also tried so many types of rewards and bribes, but I’ve realised that she genuinely can’t help it so that won’t work. You need to somehow change the sensation they get to break the habit.

Eczema clothing - google it. Eg Scratchsleeves

But old for it admittedly but you're trying to break a habit

@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams thank you , i will look into this as well!

Can you try to shift the habit of chewing onto something else - maybe try some of the chewing jewellery? And if he successfully transitions from biting nails to chewing on that, it's less harmful to fingers and hopefully easier to drop altogether in time.

Try fidget spinners or something. I bite my nails, I can stop and frequently do if I've got an event or something where I want nice painted nails, so it's not a habit for me, I just can't stand long nails. I genuinely hate seeing the white bit of nails when they grow and clipping them is too much effort for me.

Also you get used to the taste of the nail varnish, and it doesn't bother you after a while (my mum tried everything).

You need to keep his hands occupied, fidget spinners, stress balls etc...

I'm sorry OP, I hate to be the one who says this but sometimes you can't.

No matter what you do, horrid nail polish, plasters, bribery, fidget toys and so on, nothing will work.

I know this because I was that child. I only stopped biting my nails as an adult, and it only happened because I wanted to stop. Before then, no amount of bribery or nail polish would have helped.

I don't have any tips, but just wanted to say you're not alone! My 6 year old bites her nails really badly too. We've tried everything but with no success. Part of the problem is she is at school all day, so even if we stop her at home she is still biting them at school.

@Bax765 I agree! I imagine he does it all day at school, and his teacher has even mentioned it to me before 😩 then I feel like an awful parent as I think they think I'm not doing anything about it!

Same! Unfortunately it comes down to willpower, and at 4 they just don't have it.