Our kid eats nails!
If the nail biting behavior that occurs after the age of 3-4 continues despite a six-month period, it is necessary to consider that psychological factors lie behind it.
Experts say that "restriction of the child's movements, an overly oppressive and authoritarian parental attitude, disapproval of the child's habits, sibling jealousy, making a difference between children, not showing enough care and love from the parents can be stated as the reasons for nail biting." He shares with you what is curious about the subject.
At what age is nail biting behavior most common?
Nail biting is a habit that is not often seen before the age of 3-4. It occurs in 33% of children.
The first nail biting in children starts at the age of 3-4, but the most common age is 7-8 years. Beyond that, adulthood is the most common nail-biting period in children. During this period, the rate rises to 45%.
Why do children start nail biting?
Nail biting, which occurs at the age of 3-4 years, usually does not find any reason. It is seen that nail biting seen at that age mostly occurs with modeling, and if someone in the family bites their nails, they reflect it. But if this is a prolonged process, it can be thought that psychological factors lie behind it.
For example, the restriction of the child's movements, the excessively oppressive, authoritarian, restrictive parental attitude, the often disapproval of the child's behaviors, sibling jealousy, making a difference among the children, the parents not showing enough care and love, and the conflicts with the child can be counted among the reasons.
Does nail biting problem differ according to gender?
Especially in adulthood, girls and boys have nail areas almost equally, but it is known that biting nails in girls is slightly more common than boys. But judging by the gender, it cannot be said for nail biting, which varies a lot.
What are the mistakes that families make in preventing nail biting?
The most important factor in the transformation of nail biting, which is generally learned by reflection and modeling at the age of 3-4, to turn into a long-term behavior problem, should be seen by parents and immediately warn their children.
We see that children who are warned frequently, after a certain period of time, repeat this behavior in order to attract attention. Children at this age will stop biting their nails after a certain period of time without any warning, unless there is an underlying psychological reason.
The biggest mistakes families make; Punishing the child, humiliating the child for biting nails, using violence, putting hot pepper on his hands, applying hot solutions, defining this case as nail biting and conveying this situation to others as well as the child and causing the child to hear this.
When should you consult a specialist?
If nail biting continues after a period of at least 6 months without any warning after the age of 5-6, it is absolutely necessary to seek the help of a specialist. Because up to the age of 5-6, it is acceptable for the child to be distracted and to bring his hand to his mouth for things that require concentration for a long time, since he cannot concentrate on a particular thing for a long time.
If there are some triggering reasons during this period; For example, disinterested parental attitudes, excessively oppressive, authoritarian and interfering parental attitudes can cause nail-biting behavior, which is really temporary, to turn into a permanent behavioral problem. Therefore, if it continues after 5-6 years of age, help from a specialist should be sought.
What kind of results does it have in the future when the nail biting problem is not treated?
All behavior and harmony problems, nail biting is one of them, often not seen alone. If left untreated, the most important consequence is that other behavioral problems may accompany nail biting.
If there are real psychological reasons for biting nails; It may be accompanied by thumb sucking, bed wetting, stuttering or unrealistic behavior. because underneath it all, if not temporary, there is distrust, disapproval, lack of adequate attention and love.
Apart from such things, the deterioration of the nails physically and the presence of some deformations in the hand structure are situations that will gain secondary importance.
Should families have a good approach towards a child with nail biting problem?
First of all, if we think that the child's habits are not really approved and he bites nails because he does not receive attention and love, the family should definitely loosen his strict attitude, the parents should not argue with each other in the presence of the child, remove excessive pressure, spend time with the child, start activities that may attract the child's attention together, parent-child. The child should be kept away from situations that may cause fear and anxiety.
Nail care may have done to the child. Occasionally, the nail may be cut deep. It is also important that the teeth do not reach the child's nails, but the most important thing to do is not to warn the child at that moment, and to direct the child to some activities that will distract the child's hand and mouth.