is it bad when . . . [?]

Emma - posted on 02/19/2010

I was told this is a cause rather than a sign of worms. But who knows.

Emma - posted on 02/19/2010

My daughter bites her nails when she is less occupied, like waiting her turn in queue for something or listening to her teacher. I think it's mainly boredom rather than anxiety. She is six and it has cut down a lot since she started doing lots of after school activities. Don't worry too much.

Gloria - posted on 02/18/2010

thank you i will try it

Amanda - posted on 02/18/2010

I know this is an old wives tale but it worked for my daughter.. My mum told me that if they chew on their hair, bite theie nails or grind their teeth it can be a sign they have worms... My daughter was grinding teeth and biting nails so i wormed her and it all stopped! Weired but it worked.. Hope it can help you

Hayley - posted on 02/18/2010

I bite my nails constantly and it has nothing to do with nerves. I would try to stop it b/c truthfully it's gross, and hard to stop but I wouldn't worry that she was upset or that it means you are doing anything wrong. And please don't put the nasty tasting stuff on her nails it gives you a bad stomach ache or at least it always did me and of course I still bite my nails so it didn't work.

Kelly - posted on 02/18/2010

I would try to stop this asap. Keep her nails short and well groomed, put gloves on at night, and use that yucky tasting nail polish (I think they market it as a stop thumb sucking cure) to get her to stop. When you catch her biting her nails distract her with a new activity. It's a bad habit and hard to stop, but there have been studies that show appendicitis risk goes way, way up with nail biters. The nails don't digest well and get stuck in the appendix causing irritation and infection. I don't think I would jump to the conclusion that she is nervous just because she bites her nails. It's just something she has discovered and likes to do (when she is bored?). Good luck.