Does Your Child Chew Nails? How To Stop Nail Biting In Kids?

Chewing Nail

Every parent wants to give a better upbringing to his or her child, but many times, we see that children have some habits, which prove extremely harmful to them. One such habit is the habit of nail-biting. The habit of chewing nails is common in children. This problem is also called onychophagia. Chewing nails in children are one of the common bad habits such as putting the finger in nose, thumb sucking, copying, etc. which they learn easily. One-third of children and teens are affected by the habit of nail-biting. Nail chewing is an addiction that can be seen not only in children but also in adults, but do you know that chewing nails can be very harmful to health. Nail chewing is a phase and children soon give up on this habit. However, if this habit remains with them until they grow up, it is necessary to take some measures.

So let us know what harm is caused by chewing nails and how you can get rid of this habit.

CHEWING NAIL CAN DAMAGE CHILD HEALTH

Young children often get into the habit of nail-biting, which is better if it goes away with by naturally. If these habits are not stopped, the child may suffer from many diseases. Chewing nails is not a good habit, so it is important to tell children about this. The most important thing is that this habit can cause infection, so it is good to stop this habit in the beginning. Nails contain many bacteria, dirt that can make children sick. Children keep moving around and touching things. Chewing the nails can cause a lot of infection to your child because dirt is accumulated in nails and when kids chew it, the dirt goes directly into the child’s stomach. When this filth goes in stomach it may cause many types of diseases of which stomach upset, food poisoning and vomiting are common problems.

WHY DO CHILDREN CHEW NAILS?

Children chew nails for many reasons. They can do this because they are worried or stressed about something, or nail-biting has become a habit. Sometimes it can be their own way of reducing boredom.

It is often seen that children chew nails but there can be many reasons for chewing their nails.

• Some children chew nails due to stress and in a stressful situation, they make a habit of eating nails to keep themselves comfortable. You may have noticed that this habit is not there in a small baby, but as the child starts to grow up, starts the habit of eating his nails. 
• They can do this just because nail-biting has become a habit. Their parents are responsible for this habit coming into the child, who never stops them to get rid of this habit.
• Sometimes it can be their own way of reducing boredom.

HOW TO GET RID OF THE HABIT OF NAIL BITING IN CHILDREN?

If your child also has a problem of chewing nails, it is important to know how to stop it. So let us show you some ways that children can be prevented from biting nails. Some tips to prevent children from chewing nails:

1. Make Your Child Aware                     

Why are you scolding the child? It is better to explain to your child with love, that chewing nail is a dirty habit than yelling or scolding them. Explain how chewing nails will also deteriorate the shape and beauty of her finger. Tell your kid how she will also have to face embarrassment in front of friends etc.

2. Stop Chewing Nails At The Beginning

If the child adopts any bad habit then it starts slowly. It also happens in case of nail-biting, it stars slowly and ultimately your child gets addicted to it. If your child has started chewing the nails, then you can get rid of this habit by interrupting or explaining it in the beginning, otherwise, it will be difficult to get rid of it later. Have to try.

3. Clip The Nail

Check the baby's nails every week, cut the grown nails in time so that there is no nail left in the finger to chew. A well-clipped nail also protects your kid from minor scratches from the nail. Remember to use a good quality nail clipper for this purpose.  

4. Find The Problem

Listen and understand their concerns. The reason behind chewing the nails may be something going on in the child's brain. This may be due to something that is troubling the child. This can also happen because your child is having problems at school. Chewing nails is a habit of most people due to the experience of bad things. If this is the case, talk to your child with love so that he can tell you everything.

5. Give Your Kids Some Freedom

Some parents have the habit that they are always interrupting the child, but you have to understand that if you interrupt the child, again and again, he will get under stress due to which he will get used to eating nails and when you nail him He will repeat this habit again. You have to understand that your child is already under stress, so he is chewing the nails, so if you scold him, then he will become tenser.

6. Keep Busy With Other Things

When you see that your child is chewing nails, do not shout at him or punish him. For this, keep the child busy in some things in which there is something in his hands so that he cannot concentrate on his nails. If you keep scolding the child, then the child may become stubborn and stop listening to you. Apart from this, you can also talk to the child by looking at the nails. It will be beneficial for both of you.

7. Diverting Your Child's Attention

When children chew nails, they do not do it intentionally. Sometimes this can happen while thinking, so the child should stop thinking that he will chew the nails. If you bring something new for the child, then he starts playing with that thing which can give up the habit of chewing nails.

8. Keep Hands Busy

If your child also chews nails, then you must have felt that whenever his hands are free, he starts chewing the nails. So, if you want to stop him, keep his hands busy at all times. You give the child a toy of his choice so that his hands are always busy. By doing so, he will give maximum time to his toy and you will forget the habit of chewing nails.

9. Use Chewing Gum

If you want your child stop chewing nails, keep his or her mouth busy. Use of chewing gum helps a lot in this case. If the child is older than 10 years, give it to chewing gum, this can relieve the habit of chewing nails.

           

10. Seek The Help Of Older Children

Take the help of older children who have problems due to chewing their nails. They will explain to the younger children in their own way that they will stop chewing the nails or you can apply bitter nail paint on the child's nails. By eating this, the child will feel bitter and will stop chewing the nails.

11. Never Force

One thing should always be kept in mind that you should never force yourself with your child because by doing this he will become negative and will not listen to you. You can also, help the child to get rid of the horror of chewing the nails of the child, because children listen very carefully to their friends.

 

We hope that the tips given by us will be very useful for you and you will definitely share them with your friends. If you have any suggestion or comment related to this article, then you can share it with us.