Nail eating habits do not usually begin before 3-4 years of age. (Very rarely seen as early as 5 months). 33% of children experience nail eating behavior. This rate lasts until early adolescence. In adolescence, the number of children eating nails increases to 40-45%. So almost half of the children towards the age of puberty show the eating behavior of the nail. This is due to the fact that young people do not get approval from the environment.
In addition, nail eaters are found in most of the families of children eating nails. It is suggested that nail is an imitation and is learned by imitating the big ones. In puberty, most of those who have social appreciation abandon this habit. The meal is sometimes associated with biting the toes and catching the toenails with the fingers of the hand. The toe and nail of the toe nail is almost only seen in girls.
Causes of nail eating habits
The underlying causes of this behavior are mostly psychological disorders, such as finger sucking. Habit is more likely to be the case with the excitement of repressions, and the child seems to be rooted when he realizes that this is an undesirable behavior and habit. Nail eating is considered a symptom of distrust. Excessive pressure and authoritarian education in the family, the child's constant reprimanding criticism, jealousy, lack of interest and love to see the distress and tension are the main reasons. Parents' lives are also an important factor. Parental incompatibilities parents often quarrel problems in the family causes problems such as eating nails in children.
In addition, the parents are extremely anxious to protect and protect the child excessively, and the distinction between parents makes children jealous. This also indirectly shows itself as nail eating. Nail eating is a behavior that can be obtained by imitation as we have already mentioned. Naturally, it will be of interest for any individual to have a nail-eating behavior in the family. In addition, nail eating behavior may develop depending on the events. Any event that may aggravate the child or any other circumstance that would cause discontent to him / her leads to this behavior.
Treatment and precautions to be taken
· The most effective method is to ignore this habit until the age of 3 bu4.
· If this habit continues later; The causes of tension and incompatibility of the child should be investigated thoroughly and they should be identified and resolved. It is not useful to apply compelling methods such as scolding, scare and punishing the child. Sometimes even more severe emotional problems may cause.
· It is necessary to keep children away from fear situations. It is inconvenient for the young children to watch the horror television movies of fear, and to engage in the conflicting events to excite the child.
· Wearing old lightweight gloves when lying on a nail-eating child at night. The child may be useful as a reminder when he wants to eat or bite his night nails.
· A painful but harmless liquid can be applied to the finger and toe. This can be a reminder, and when you take your fingernail into your mouth, it can help to leave when combined with pain.
· Children's interest may be diverted. When cinema is watching television or listening to the radio, it may be an activity that replaces nail-biting and biting with something to chew on its mouth.
· The occasional rewarding of children may be useful in some cases. However, this should be used in a limited and appropriate manner. Otherwise, the child can use it to get new rewards.
Nail can be cut deep. It may also be useful for the child to deal with his or her own nail care. Manicure and pedicure materials can be taken in the child.
As a last word and as a precaution, it should be explained to the children that nails and bites are not a bad habit and that those who want it can easily leave. When the child is convinced of this he will endeavor to give up this habit. Because external factors are not too effective for the child to give up this habit, in some cases it causes the habit to become rooted and to be used as an instrument to annoy others and make them uneasy.