Nail Biting - Dallas, TX

For a minute i thought you were talking about my husband...I think this is something they do when they are nervous or stressed. My husband has been doing the same thing since he was a kiddo and is 28 yrs old now. I have been trying to get him to stop since we started dating 6 1/2 yrs ago. I don't think there is anything for a mother or a wife to do about this, other than when you see him do it bring it to his attention - he might not even realize he's doing it.

If that is the only thing you have to worry about for him then let it go, and know that you have done a great job. He is an adult for goodness sakes, it is up to him whether or not he will quit biting his nails.

My daughter bites her nails when she is nervous. I also find out that she bites her nails when she has parasites. I do give her special herbs for parasites designed for children. It always works great for us. Google info about parasites.
Good luck-W.

I buy herbs from www.zoneofnaturalremedies.com

My 4 yr old bit his fingernails down past the quick and they would bleed. Then we took him to our naturopath doctor and she tested him. He had a torpidic liver and she gave him a simple homeopathic and in a couple of weeks he quit biting and hasn't bit them since. He now asks for them to be clipped and won't put them in his mouth at all. Hope this helps.

Let his girlfriend handle it!

I have also been a habitiual nail biter since I was a young child. It's really a nervous habit and a TOUGH one to break. Honestly, as a parent I'm not sure that there is anything that you can do other than to accept that this is something he needs to change when he is ready. I am 30 years old and have only recently stopped.

My apologies for not being more comforting.

My advice to all mothers with children who bite their nails is: TELL THEM TO STOP AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE THEY BEGIN TO DO IT! My grandaughter started that terrible habit when she was very very young. I got on her case, everytime I saw her doing it I would say softly that she is a princess and princesses have beautifun fingernails. Next tiime I would say 'you need nails to pick up stuff'. It has been a constant battle but very much rewarding since she is 6 now and does not bite her nails. I think that sometimes parents get tired of saying the same thing over and over again so they give up easily. Anyway, my point is that when you see bad habits in your kids, you need to start working on the problem early.

maybe he could get a manicure and make his remaining nails look nice. only a suggestion. is he anxiety ridden? good luck.

Have him marry someone like me who yells at him everytime she catches him doing it. lol... my husband does this too and he is 25. I just constantly nag at him about how annoying and gross it is and he hardly ever does it now. Just an idea. lol

I don't think there is anything you can do. My mom bit her nails and then I followed in her footsteps and have been biting my nails my whole life(iam 26 now). I am 6 months pregnant and have stopped and now have long nails for the first time in my life, but only because I made the choice to stop. It is kind of an unconcious habit that you don't even realize you are doing unless someone points it out to you, so maybe just making him aware of it when you see him nibbling his nails might help. Otherwise, I think it is out of your hands.

As a mother of a 2.5 yr old I have learned to pick my battles. This is one battle you should let alone. He is an adult. Don't be a helicopter mom and drive him crazy!!!

Nothing. He's an adult and responsible for himself now.

I'm hoping someone has some really good advice for you. I have a 4 yr old that has been biting his nails for the last year. I have tried band aids and that stuff you paint on his nails.....nothing, nothing works!

Ummm, nothing!! He is an adult, and there is actually nothing you can do about his good or bad habits. I am a nail biter, and really do want to stop, but it is a tough habit to break!! My 9 year old is starting to do it, so we are going to work on breaking this habit together! But..at over 25, it is time to let him go, and accept him regardless. ~A.~

(o: time to cut the apron strings...there's absolutely nothing you should or can do... :o)

B.!

I feel your concern!

But he is an adult! Does HE want to quit?

I tend to shake one or the other of my legs during meetings or church, I'm not even aware of it until my husband puts his hand on my knee to help me realize it so I'll stop. Just one of those mindless patterns some people have.

My husband pulls on his mustache without being aware of it.

My son taps his pen or pencil.

I agree with the Mama who said "At least he doesn't smoke!"

You received some good responses/ideas here. I hope one of them will help him if he wants to stop.

A.

This is quite possibly a non-integrated reflex. Babkin Palmomental. If your son can find a practitioner of the Masgutova Method (MNRI) this can be re-patterned in about 3 minutes a day for a very short period of time.

If you would like to message me privately, I could give you my phone #, where I can talk you through this without having to see a practitioner.

As an adult nail biter who drives my mother and her perfect nails crazy, LET IT GO!

He is an adult and you are not going to change him, only he can change himself.

I broke my nail-biting habit when I was 11. I read in a Reader's Digest that if you wanted to stop biting your nails, you should stroke your forehead when you caught yourself biting the nails. It worked! And I wasn't left with the weird habit of stroking my forehead a lot, in case you're wondering. :)

I'm a chronic nail biter too and I'm 37.

I would say... just don't worry about it. It's his nails. He'll stop when he wants to.

I have had periods in my life when I've stopped but then started back up. I know it has to do with nerves but, more likely, I just have an oral habit.

And, just be happy that he doesn't smoke - it could be worse.