Nail biting

[West Ender]

They used to say Bitter Aloes (available at chemists) was the best thing. Painted on the nails, apparently, it tastes dreadful.

None of my children ever bit their nails but my son picked his off, which is worse really. I don't know how or why he started doing it but he picked his finger and toe nails off down to the quick and he did it for over 10 years. They looked disgusting but nothing anyone said or did made any difference. Once or twice he even got infections in the nail bed and even that didn't stop him. He did stop, when he was in his late teens, but he replaced that habit with cracking his knuckles - eeeeeek! He's a lovely fellah, my son, but - dear God - he tested my parental patience to the limit at times.

It's a tough call, trying to help someone break a habit (I know - I used to be a smoker) but I don't think much helps. He may just grow out of it, with luck. Meantime, be very glad he's supple enough to bite his toe nails. I am, actually, quite impressed.

[keetah992000]

i was joking about the stardrops - but the bitrex in it is probably what they put in those nail remedies - the bitrex itself iisnt poisness it just stops kiddies - or anyone for that matter from drinking poisinous substances - it is supposed to be bitter enough that it induces the instinct to vomit -so yes i was joking - but then again if its as bad as you say ........

[pam1]

its normal for a boy to do that he will stop in is own time,for now jive him a stress ball,my son bit is nails till he was 13 then just stop.

[The Blue Rose]

I made my daughter scraped her finger nails and take it to school to inspect under the microscope,what was crawling about in that , when she saw the bugs , she never bit her nails agin !!!!