Natural Aid to Stop Nail Biting in Children

Nail biting is a common nervous habit that typically begins in childhood. While the habit may be established out of boredom, such as sitting in class, the website Home Remedy Haven notes that nail biting may be a sign of anxiety or stress. By ridding this habit, a child's fingernails are able to grow healthy and strong.

Nail Trimming

• Eliminating fingernail tips may deter a child from fingernail biting as there is no protruding nail to bite. Trim your child's fingernails at least twice a week to help prevent biting.

Cotton Gloves

• To deter a child from biting her fingernails, parents may place cotton gloves over her hands to help break the habit.

Petroleum Jelly Nails

• Place a small amount of petroleum jelly underneath each of the child's fingernails so that when he begins to bite, he will experience an unpleasant taste.

Hot or Bitter Nails

• Coating the nails with hot pepper or lemon juice---"any nontoxic, bitter substance," according to the website Mother Nature---will discourage nail biting. Caution must be used, however, to avoid transferring such substances to other sensitive areas, such as the eyes.

• Constant nail biting not only damages the appearance of a child's nails, but it may also place her at risk, as germs and bacteria hiding underneath the fingernails may be introduced to the body through the mouth. Discouraging nail biting benefits the child's nail growth and protects her from exposure to sickness-causing germs.