How to Keep Your Child From Picking His Toenails

Picking at fingers and toenails is not just an unpleasant habit; it could lead to illness. Picking at nails destroys the functioning of the toes and fingers, and rips the cuticles, which opens the skin. This then leaves an open pathway into the body for germs to enter and this, in turn, causes infections. Germs also enter the body when the child puts his hands to his mouth after picking at fingernails and toenails. Stopping this habit now will save your child a good deal of heartache as an adult.

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify, if possible, the reasons for your child picking at his nails. Stress-related habits may go away if the source of the stress is found and resolved.

    • 2

      Buy a special bracelet that has elastic on it and when you see your child exhibiting this destructive behavior, teach her to play with the bracelet instead. Use a ball if you do not want your child to wear jewelry.

    • 3

      Show the child that he can get the same feeling of relief by thumbing through a pad or book. Buy him a blank book and have him keep a list of times when he is picking at his nails. Ask him to write what he was doing or thinking of when he began the behavior.

    • 4

      Keep your child's nails as short as possible and neat. Make sure that he takes pride in the appearance of his hands and feet. Treat him to something special, such as swimming or new sneakers if he does not pick at his toes for a set amount of time.

    • 5

      Try to make sure that your child is not bored. Encourage a habit that takes using his hands. If his hands are occupied, he cannot pick at his feet. Try anything from stamp collecting to baseball or even solitaire.

    • 6

      Put small bandages on each toe. If he has to remove the bandage, he will be aware of what he is doing, and once he is aware it will motivate him to do all the other things listed to stop the nail-picking. Cover the nails with nail hardener as well.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Effective Ways to Stop Whining Children
      One of the biggest child behavior problems is how to stop whining. Like fingernails on a chalkboard, whining is one of those sounds that instantly get your attention—and jangle your nerves. A study has even proven that whining is one of the mos
    • How to Help Children to Cope With a Parent's Suicide
      Dealing with the death of a parent is a difficult task for children, especially when the parent took his or her own life. Each child grieves differently, but most grieving children have a few things in common. As the child learns to cope with the los
    • How to Teach the Story Good Wolf, Bad Wolf to Kids
      The story of Good Wolf, Bad Wolf is an American Indian story that has been passed down from generation to generation. The story tells the tale of a grandfather who informs his grandson about the two wolves that battle each other inside every living h