Although not exclusive to children, the nail biting It is a bad habit that parents should try to eradicate as soon as possible.
It is usually associated with a situation of stress or anxiety. If the child is worried about something, nervous or if something is disturbing him.
He may also do it out of boredom or due to his vulnerable temperament. It can occur in very sensitive children who do not overcome frustration.
The reasons can be several, but the important thing is to locate the real reason why our son eats his nails, what is causing that anguish.
We must know that although the child knows that it is wrong, it is a situation he cannot control, he does not control it. It is a compulsive habit, one of the most common in childhood, called onychophagy.
In some cases it is a bad passing habit, but in others it persists to the point that the cuticles are injured, becoming a focus of infections and consequently a danger to their health.
What to do to quit? Logically the first thing is to detect the cause to solve the anguish that leads the child to bite his nails.
Don't crush it all day with "don't eat your nails." Instead, reward him when he doesn't, but don't scold him when he does.
When he is doing it, offer him a toy or propose to do something to distract him.
If you explain that it is for your good and it is left, there are some substances of unpleasant taste that are sold in the pharmacy to spread it on your fingers.
If you still eat your nails despite everything, it is best to consult with the pediatrician or a child psychologist to resolve the origin of this misconduct.
