Any acceptable nail-biting cures?

[mmrred]

My DSS bites his nails terribly - really rips the skin off the sides, too. My DS is now copying him.

Any great tips that work? I did have this problem with my niece, but I'm not sure promising DSS sparkly nail polish if he stops will go down very well with his mother!

I bit my nails and now think it was because i had, and still have,very weak nails that always cracked and split, causing rough edges that i nibbled off and so it went on. I now keep them smooth with an emery board all the time and never let a split develop at all. i can't really suggest a solution but thinking about this as a cause might help you work it out....... or not.

His fingers must get very sore - teaching him to use an emery board to avoid this might help.

My mum painted my finger ends with bitter aloes. Sounds medieval doesn't it!