United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've read posts about this in the past but I can't remember what people recomend for this. What is the name of the stuff you put on nails that tastes bad and helps heal?

Please does anybody know?

Some of us bite our nails for independence. I realized a few years back when I tried to stop biting my nails that it is impossible for me to clip my nails on my left hand because my right is far too weak. For me its independence as to why I bite my nails. So this may be part of it for your child.

But if you really want to stop the nail biting try nail polish remover, I am pretty sure thats the most nasty tasting taste in the worrld! Otherwise go to a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist there, they will know what you are talking about but my guess it that nail polish remover is cheaper and would probably work.

Hugs,
Amy 21 yeaers old ROBPI from MN

Are you thinking of this stuff?
http://www.amazon.com/MAVALA-Stop-Bitin ... B0000YUXI0

Marieke (32, LOBPI)

no, I think it was more of an herbal thing or something. Something like an oil that tastes bad and also helps heal. I do not think its the independance thing yet because my child isn't old enough to cut her own nails anyway. I've tried the no bite, but it doesn't last that long and my girl chews right thru it.

Guest78,
My Son,(Non-BPI)but other disabilities, chewed his fingers when frustrated and over-tired, sometimes still does as an adult man. All nails are down to the nubs-it's a habit now.
Is your child under some stress? ...no breaks from therapies?...Therapy "working" her hard--no fun involved?

Just my "2 Cents"

Carolyn J
LOBPI/over-aged adult

There is a liquid you can by in the nail polish area. It taste really bad.....
The natural stuff is Cloves ointment. I bought it in a natural food store and if you can get over the smell(very very very strong) it isn't that bad.
Neither has worked for my daughter who is 10 years old and still bites her nails until they blead.......

My 11 year old with LOBPI did this when she was younger. We used clove oil massged into the nails morning and night. Tastes terrible but also has an anesthetic quality to aid healing. Fortunately, at this stage she has regained enough feeling in her hand to not pull the nails out by the roots with her teeth. She still bites them but not until they bleed. Hope this helps. LeeAnne

Clove oil. You can get it at speciality kitchen stores that sell unique spices and flavors. You rub it on their nails...it's bitter and helps heal at the same time.

Laura

There used to be a product from Sally Hansen you can get it at a drug store. It is supposed to help in biting nails.

I too used to bite my nails...(well, I still have a few I can't seem to give up on). I know it sounds strange but it is such a bad habit and many people with an injury seem to chew their nails.

It is like any other habit( you just need to make yourself aware of it) before you can help it.

I used to eat right through the nail biting stuff. My grandma used to offer me $$ to quit chewing my nails and I still would do it.

I'm 36 and it wasn't until recently that I started to grow them out.

I'm not sure how old the person with the nail biting habit is but this is how I started to stop.

You can buy cuticle oil at a drug store or even at a hair/nail salon. It's not real cheap but put some on the base of the fingernail. Use a cuticle stick to push back the cuticles and even clip them if needed. Use a fingernail file and start to shape your nails. Once you get a little bit of free-edge (the white part of the nail) it makes it easier to not chew on them.

It sounds like a lot of work, but once you start doing it yourself you are keeping your hands busy while doing it and that seems to be the problem with nail biting. You always need to keep your hands busy.

Hope this helps, I know it sounds like a lot of work but it may help.