Tips on Getting an 11-Year-old to Stop Biting His Nails??

You have the computer at your fingertips. Go online, look up websites that actually show you pictures of the zoomed in version of what is under your finger nails. There are some really disgusting pictures I am sure. Show him what is growing with his nails. Maybe that will help. I didn't stop biting mine till I was around 18. It has to do with stress, and nerves, and is a very hard habit to break, but they do usually grow out of it when they learn how to cope differently. How many adults do you see bite thier nails? Not many. Good luck

I'm a pediatric nurse in a hospital and a mother of an 11 year old girl. She was a nail bitter herself as a young child. There is a problem with "oral fixations" - which is clearly what he has. I will tell you that if he does it now, he will continue into adulthood. There is an excellent over-the-counter product that you paint onto nails which is what I eventually used - it tastes very bitter, and can be a helpful reminder. You MUST be consistent - it requires daily application, but with consistency it may help. You may also consider sugar-free gum - because nail bitting IS an oral fixation, having something already in his mouth may be helpful

oh if you find a cure, or something that works, please let me know. i did the nail biter polish but i was not consistant. hard to remember to polish your 11 year old boys nails. LOL mine has many phobias too. and even worse, he bites his toe nails.. yeah, theres a visual.. LOL

J.,
I did this as a teen and my mom used Chyanne(spelling) pepper,I did stop biting my nails, but I to this day can't eat any type of spicy foods.
Amanda