Nail Biting in Children

Studies show that almost 30% to 60% of kids have the habit of nail biting. Along with nail biting, thumb sucking, hair twirling and nose picking are some of the habits that are commonly found in children. A child may be blissfully unaware of this fact. However, it is not the case with parents. Nail biting in children usually goes away with age. However, many children carry this habit into adulthood. Various studies and their findings just reiterate parents' fear about the habit of nail biting in children. For example according to "Operant Learning Principles Applied to Nail Biting" - a study carried out by Terry M. McClanahan, 28 to 33% children between the age group of 7-10 years, 44% adolescents, 19 to 29% adults and surprisingly, 5% of older adults have the habit of biting their nails. Nail biting is thus, a very common problem. In consonance with the findings of McClanahan study, I have seen many adults biting their nails, which may be something that they carried on from their childhood. Let us understand why do children bite nails and some nail biting cures for them.

Causes of Nail Biting in Children
Although a common problem, not much research has been done to determine the causes of nail biting in children. Although stress relief is most widely believed to be the reason behind the nail biting habit, other causes have also been suggested. For instance, some believe that it is genetic in nature, that, children of parents who bite nails or who had the nail biting habit in childhood, are more likely to pick this habit as compared to other kids. However, this was opposed to the most widely believed theory that nail biting is a learned or an 'acquired' habit. There are others who have highlighted the correlation between thumb sucking and nail biting. Although these two habits have been found to occur simultaneously in many children, all thumb suckers do not bite their nails. Hence, as of now, anxiety and stress seem to be the reason behind nail biting in children and this is the theory that's gaining ground. Nail biting is also associated with low self esteem and as a mechanism to relieve pent up emotions or tension. Some psychologists also believe that nail biting is a reaction to some deep rooted emotional or psychological problems.

Cures for Nail Biting in Children
For those who are wondering how to stop nail biting in children, here are some nail biting remedies that have worked for some parents. Try them:

• Try to identify if the reason behind your child's nail biting habit is stress. In case it is, your aim should be to identify the situations that trigger stress in your child. Did your child start biting his nails after you moved into a new house? Or is it his new school that you think is causing him stress? It is difficult to change the cause of anxiety in such cases. However, talking and reassuring your child about the new environment would be a great help to enable him to deal with the stress.
• Talk to your child about his habit. Explain to him that nail biting is not good and that it could cause him health problems as well. Also explain the importance of nail care and how to go about it.
• Distract you child when he bites his nails. This requires you to identify the circumstances when he does so. For example, if your child bites his nail when on a long journey or sitting idle, it could be due to boredom. Give him something to play with and keep him engaged.
• You could also coat your child's nails with some bitter juice or solution that does not contain any harmful substances that may be dangerous for your child's health. The bitter taste would help your child get out of the nail biting habit.
• This method of nail biting treatment works great for older girls. Just tell them how gorgeous their nails would look if they were long and shaped up, with a coat of lustrous pink shade on special occasions.
• Praise you child for not biting nails. This positive reinforcement will boost his self esteem. Also reward him occasionally to help him understand the fact that his efforts of giving up the habit are being appreciated. However, do not shower him with too many gifts, as frequent rewarding may have a negative effect on the child.
• This might sound strange, but sometimes just leaving the habit on its own may work out. It is because in majority of the cases, a child gets rid of this habit as he grows up. This most commonly happens as a child starts going to school due to peer pressure that works great in reinforcing positive habits in us. However, in case the habit does not go with time, you might need to take one of the aforementioned steps.

Nail biting in children is one of the mild types of self mutilating habits. Although in most cases it is limited to just biting off the nails, some children damage the cuticles and also nibble at the skin and flesh around the nail. This may create serious wounds and may also leave an opportunity for bacteria and other germs to enter the body. If nail biting is severe and is also accompanied with other self destructive behavior like tearing one's hair, a pediatrician should be immediately consulted.

Nail biting in children may have various causes. However, the approach for curing it is only one, and that is through love and patience. It is not difficult to get rid of nail biting in children through positive reinforcement and persistence, although in most cases the habit goes away with time.