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Health

My son gnaws fingernail. And now?

03/23/2016

This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.

 

 

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Understand what may be behind this habit and what you can do to help your child

His son also gnaws nails? (Photo: Thinkstock)

When children have a habit of biting your nails, automatic reaction of many parents is to fight them, "takes the hand of the mouth", "to do this," "that ugly thing." Only scold the child in this case, you may even aggravate the problem. This is because, behind this behavior may be something much bigger: the anxiety. "Nail biting is a habit closely related to psychological well-being of children," says pediatric dermatologist Flavia Naranjo Ravelli, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

In an interview with GROW, the expert account that receives a lot of children who bite nail in his office, most between 6 and 10 years, and says he has the impression that the number of cases has increased in recent years. "It appears that increased in proportion to the degree of anxiety that children feel," he says.

So using bad taste enamels or just fight for the child to take the hand of the mouth does not work. "It's the same thing as playing the dirt under the carpet. You need to treat the cause of the problem, "recommends Flavia. For this reason, in addition to consultation with the dermatologist, sometimes it is necessary that the child also receives the accompaniment of a therapist to help her identify what is the cause of his distress.

What are the dangers of nail biting?

Many children come to Flavia's office already with irregularities in the nails, like ripples and cracks, the bad habit of biting them consequences. "In most cases it is transitory, but if the child gnawing in the same place repeatedly, the damage may become permanent," explains dermatologist. This is because if the wound reach the matrix, which is precisely the place where the nails are formed, and damage it, the nail can begin to grow pie forever.

Another point is that the mouth is full of bacteria environment. And as the child chews a fingernail, cause sores, which are the gateway to bacteria, viruses and fungi. "This can not only cause a fungal infection, but also a more serious infection." If this happens, it may even be necessary to use antibiotics, either topical (applied directly to the skin) or orally. So if the wound is is red, hot, painful or leave some kind of discharge, rinse with antiseptic soap, pass oxygenated water and seek immediate medical attention.

What can you do to help your child

Children who bite nails tend to become adults who bite nails. And socially, the habit is not well seen. Therefore, the sooner your child overcome this habit, the better! See what you can do to help you:

- Keep the nails short of the child and always well sanded. Do not forget to constantly trim the skins that are raised with pliers;

- Never use pepper or anything that burns in the child's hands. The goal is not to punish, only warn that the gesture should not be repeated.

- Another tactic that may work is to put a micropore at your fingertips;

- Create in children a taste for nail care, leading to, for example, the nail (but with your own pliers kit). From 5 years, you can now trim excess cuticle, but without removing it entirely, just cutting the tips that are raised and that his son would take his teeth.

 

Source: Growing

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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.

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