Cutting the nails to children is one of those terrible things that parents should do for their image, to prevent them from accumulating dirt and by decreasing the risk of destroying their faces and destroying us.
And I say terrible because they are not left, at least when they are little, and it becomes a torture towards them, and from them to us. So until one day you are going to cut them (it does not happen to all parents, but some do), and you realize that there are three or four nails that are already very short: "But son, do you bite them? Don't you know what the four important consequences are?".
1. Increased risk of infections
Nails, as a distal part of the hands with space to hold dirt, become a possible focus of various infections If they end up in the mouth. Some children, accustomed to biting their fingernails, end up also seeing as a valid option to bite their toenails, in an event that few parents keep their stomachs in place.
In Babies and more The positive side of sucking your finger and biting your nails: protects against allergies2. Risk of infection with the same nails
If in the irregular process of biting the nails, some piquito is left that can be nailed to the skin as the nail grows, or a wound is made, the risk of a paronychia occurs. This condition consists of the redness and swelling of an area next to the nail, which can become filled with pus, being very painful and annoying.
3. Risk of dental involvement
If you bite your nails for a short time it is unlikely to happen, but if it becomes a repetitive and constant habit over time, it may happen that the teeth move out of place and even that some of the teeth erode in the area that repeatedly comes into contact with the nails.
4. Pain if they bite more than they should
In the event that the nails are bitten as a repetitive habit, it can happen that bite even when they have nothing to bite anymore. Once they have finished with the edge of the nail (the soft), they only have the nail plate (the part that is attached to the finger), and there are children who are still there until they are harmed, leaving the finger without that part of protection and being a few days (until the nail grows back) in pain when doing what things with your hands.
And what to do if they bite their nails?
If you have just read all this and have decided that your child is not going to bite your nails anymore, and that you are going to remedy it, then you should know that there are some tips that can be followed to get it, or at least to try:
- Explain why it is better not to bite them: The first thing is that you know why you are going to have an effect on stopping your nails from biting, so you have to explain the risks of nail biting.
- Try to know the reason that you bite them: if it's because of anxiety, if it's because of boredom, if it's because ... to go to the root of the problem and try to solve it. If we get a child to have a calmer environment, they may be less bitten; if you are busy, you may not think about them; etc.
In Babies and more, have you recently checked your children's toenails? - Don't be too severe: Biting your nails is a voluntary act that often becomes an almost involuntary routine (many times we will remind you that you are being bitten and you will be surprised to realize that you are doing it). Since they usually do it because of anxiety, it is better not to scold or punish, because that would make them even more nervous. It is worthwhile that the process be calm and that they be partakers of the decision to quit.
- Avoid putting liquids or strips: unless they ask us to help them in the process. If they still feel the need to do it and we give them something, they may think that we are punishing them and again increase their nervousness. We must try to redirect this way of channeling their anxiety by modifying the environment: eliminating stressors, helping them to sleep well so that they are not sleepy during the day, allowing them to play and run so that they are not at home with energy to burn, etc. ., and if they are still nervous, see with them what activity could help them regain a little calm.
- Let a nail grow: If the thing gets too long, or if it costs too much, you can try to reach an intermediate pact, such as leaving a nail without biting, until it grows. Once he succeeds, assess the effort he has made, let him know that we are proud of them, and let you choose the next nail that will grow.
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More information | Healthfinder
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