Nail biting is one of the most common childhood habits. Other common habits include hair twirling, thumb sucking, and nose picking. Most children go through this phase and come out of it spontaneously. The habit itself is not considered an illness, but it may cause some medical complications: nail infections or ingrown nails for the nail biter, nosebleeds for the nose picker, or dental problems for the thumb sucker. Punishment or harsh words have not been found effective in stopping these habits and may even prolong them. In the meantime, if your child bites her nail, why not make a game of it and let her show you that her hands are clean, at least. Hopefully, that alone may distract your child from the habit.
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