nailbiting

[Alter]

My kid (7 years old) bites his nails incessantly and even though the popular advice is to leave it alone and he will outgrow it, it is driving me batty. Anyone have any experience with those foul-tasting liquids that can be brushed on his fingers to dissuade him?

 

[why]

Maybe he's honing his potential as a future basketball star.

 

[Unbreakable]

http://www.amazon.com/Mavala-Stop-Na.../dp/B0000YUXI0 On amazon, but personally Ive not known anyone that has used any "anti nail biting techniques" also I think i got slapped everytime I did it as a child..... But perhaps get a clearcoat type polish thats made to strengthen nails (cheaper too), I'd assume that would taste horrid. Hopefully it doesn't give a "high" effect or that in itself could become problematic..

 

[thekunk07]

he will outgrow it. i started biting my nails at 4 and i'm going to be 34 soon and plan on stopping soon.

 

[Reggs]

Send him to a catholic school so the nuns will hit his hand whenever he does it.

 

[Master-Classter]

Tell him to stop it...
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[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Reggs

Send him to a catholic school so the nuns will hit his hand whenever he does it.
This works.

 

[uhurit]

Hoping that a kid will eventually outgrow nail-biting could be a bad mistake: I've seen plenty of adults who never stopped

 

[Smudge]

My five year old daughter is the same and chews her nails incessantly. I love her dearly (of course) but her nails are revolting and look so painful. I can't talk too much because I've been biting mine for as long as i can remember (in my 30s) but I'd rather she didn't end up with fingers like mine! Anyone know anything about this: http://www.quitnailbiting.com/ I'm a bit dubious about the "stop forever in 9 minutes guarantee (or your money back!)" claims but I've cross-checked their product on other sites and it seems legit. Anyone used it...??? Or am I being a mug?

 

[dl20]

There is a product that you paint on the nails that is non-toxic but purposefully foul tasting.

Heard it works well.

dl

 

[Alter]

Originally Posted by Smudge

My five year old daughter is the same and chews her nails incessantly. I love her dearly (of course) but her nails are revolting and look so painful. I can't talk too much because I've been biting mine for as long as i can remember (in my 30s) but I'd rather she didn't end up with fingers like mine!

Anyone know anything about this: http://www.quitnailbiting.com/ I'm a bit dubious about the "stop forever in 9 minutes guarantee (or your money back!)" claims but I've cross-checked their product on other sites and it seems legit. Anyone used it...??? Or am I being a mug?

That one looks very sketchy...what do you actually buy? It looks like you just get a booklet with some words of wisdom. And the website screams "I am going to rip you off and then keep spamming you for the rest of your life". Where did you cross-check that?

I am thinking of trying one of those bitter-tasting brush-on things. There is one from Amazon called Mavala that has a lot of good reviews but it seems that it doesn't work for everyone.

Anyone have any personal experience with this type of stuff?

 

[hamish5178]

I stopped biting mine at 15, it wasn't too difficult, I just did it one day.

I had stopped previously when I had braces, which make it pretty much impossible.

I think there are two main factors, for me at least. The first is stress, if you get rid of that you will probably stop the biting. Also, keeping the nails trimmed. I know for me, I would start biting a nail just because it was too long, and then I couldn't stop.

 

[greg_atlanta]

I stopped in my mid-20s. Using clear nail polish did the trick.

 

[uzairh]

Use the foul tasting nail polish. Has worked wonders on all the kids I have seen who had a nail biting habit.

 

[Alter]

Originally Posted by uzairh

Use the foul tasting nail polish. Has worked wonders on all the kids I have seen who had a nail biting habit.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just ordered some stuff from a Swiss company called Mavala. I will post the results in a month or so.