The shy girl replied, “I… can’t hold it anymore!” After saying this, she started biting her nails, even to the point of drawing blood. Guilt and shame were evident on her young face.
Her mother slapped her hand multiple times to no avail. “Look at yourself; you won’t amount to anything. You might as well drop out of school!”
It is not uncommon for young children to bite their nails. Many children exhibit similar habits.
Why do some children bite their nails?
Nutritional deficiencies
Children with nutritional deficiencies may experience various health issues. For example, a lack of zinc can lead to pica, causing children to bite their nails and even eat unusual things like dirt or hair. However, this reason only accounts for a small proportion of cases.
Zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium are essential for growth and development. When children do not get enough of these nutrients, their immune system, concentration, and brain development may be affected.
Nail-biting is not uncommon among children.
Incomplete oral development in children aged 0-2 years
Infants explore the world by sucking on their fingers and biting objects. Meanwhile, adults often unconsciously hinder this behavior, so children’s needs are not met, and they continue to bite their nails unconsciously.
Psychological reasons: Anxiety and stress
This is the most common and fundamental reason for nail-biting and the one that parents are most likely to overlook.
Some children feel anxious when facing unfamiliar environments, academic pressure, parental conflicts, or the absence of a loved one. This behavior can temporarily relieve stress and become a means of soothing their emotions.
Simply put, it is a way of releasing emotions. When children bite their nails, it is sometimes more than just a habit; it is a psychological conditioned reflex.
Most children’s nails become deformed and may turn red, swell, or even become infected.
When a child bites their nails for the first time and realizes it helps them relax, they are likely to repeat this action the next time they feel anxious. If they are scolded by parents or mocked by peers, they will become even more anxious and have no other way to relieve stress than by biting their nails.
Over time, this creates a vicious cycle: Anxiety → Nail Biting → Blame → Increased Anxiety → Increased Dependence on Nail Biting.
Two likely outcomes if children continue nail-biting in the long term:
Deformed nails and health issues
Some children continue to bite their nails even as they grow older. In reality, most children’s nails become deformed and may turn red, swell, or even become infected.
Nail-biting can lead to ingesting germs and dirt from the hands, increasing the risk of illness. This can make children more susceptible to sickness and impact their overall health. Additionally, prolonged damage to the nails and surrounding skin can lead to chronic infections, causing discomfort and pain, further adding to their anxiety and stress.
Nail-biting can be reduced by painting nails, but choose child-safe products.
Low self-esteem and the development of an avoidant personality
Some children bite their nails due to anxiety and nervousness. This is an avoidant behavior and a sign of low self-esteem.
Children often use this as a distraction instead of facing issues directly: biting their nails during a challenging test, after a fight with a classmate, or when scolded by parents. Over time, they lose opportunities to learn positive ways to cope with their emotions.
Of course, many children naturally outgrow these habits, and the physical and psychological issues subside. However, in addition to children’s self-correction, positive parental intervention is crucial.
The key to stopping nail-biting is not prevention but finding alternative solutions.
Find healthier ways for children to release their emotions.
Address the specific reasons behind the behavior
Observe and identify the causes of your child’s nail-biting.
For example, does your child bite their nails more when they are alone, anxious, or bored?
If they bite their nails while playing, it may be a habitual action. Parents can remind their children to stop by using gloves, nail polish, or other physical barriers.
If it occurs before exams or after criticism, it is likely related to emotions. Teach your children healthy stress relief methods, such as hugging, playing with toys, exercising, or deep breathing.
Parents can also make a secret agreement with their children: When they see their child biting their nails, they gently tap their shoulder as a reminder to change their behavior.
Observe and identify the reasons behind your child’s nail-biting behavior.
Minimize scolding and provide more encouragement
Statements like “Don’t bite your nails!” “I’ll punish you if you don’t stop!” or “Biting your nails is a waste of time” will only increase your child’s anxiety.
A more constructive approach is to encourage them. For example, say, “You’ve bitten your nails less this time, which shows progress. I believe you can gradually overcome this habit.” This way, your child knows they can manage their stress positively.
In addition to verbal encouragement and building self-confidence, parents should also reward their children with gifts. For instance, keep a record of how many times your child bites their nails each day and offer a reward if they reduce this number. By addressing the root cause, your child’s behavior will naturally change.
