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What is nail biting?
Nail biting is a common habit of school-age children but can happen at any age.
In general, it is a harmless habit.
Some children also chew on or pull their cuticles. This habit can cause pain or infections.
What causes nail biting?
Touching the fingers to the lips is a comforting oral habit.
It's easy to move from there to chewing on the nails.
Like other habits, it may become more frequent when a child is unhappy, nervous, or bored.
If that happens, kindly ask your child if there is something they are worried or frustrated about.
What should I expect with nail biting?
Nail biting usually starts at school age.
It is rare before age 4.
Some 40% of teens and 20% of adults are chronic nail biters.
Most adults have stopped by the age of 35.
It is a difficult habit to give up.
Like all habits, the longer it goes on, the harder it is to give up.
How can I help my child with nail biting?
Have Practical Goals
Nail biting is a normal human habit. In general, it is harmless.
Unless a child wants to stop, treatments will not work.
This is not a habit your child wants to have, so shaming them will make them feel worse.
Before Age 3, Ignore or Distract Your Child
Nail biting is rare prior to age 3.
Try to distract them when they are biting their nails.
Offer another activity that requires their hands.
You can offer a toy or something to drink.
Play a game such as peek-a-boo with your hands.
If that doesn't work, ignore the behavior.
Do not comment; commenting often makes kids feel worse.
Do not challenge their need for independence and control.
After Age 3, Limit Where Nail Biting is Allowed
Avoid scolding your child for it.
Try to ignore it.
Offer a distraction that requires them to use their hands.
A toy or a small bowl of water can help.
Try putting a puzzle with large pieces together.
Offer some crayons and a coloring book.
At a Later Age, Try to Motivate Your Child to Stop
Nothing can change until you have your child's buy-in.
When you think your child is ready, ask them if they would like help stopping.
If they agree, come up with a plan together.
Helpful ideas: playing finger games, making a fist or squeezing an exercise ball, rubbing a special stone or gem.
Using a different activity to replace the nail biting is called habit reversal training.
Give them options, but allow them to choose what they want to do for nail biting.
You can try having your child wear a pair of gloves they like.
If not, let it go until a later age.
In general, don't try to change a habit unless your child wants your help.
Give Praise and Incentives for Progress
Give your child lots of hugs and praise for their effort.
When you give them praise for changes, they feel good, so they are more likely to continue working on nail biting.
Consider using a star chart to track the days that you see less nail biting.
Giving a small treat, or points toward a small gift or trip to the park, helps encourage your child to keep working on nail biting.
Stay positive, being positive is always more helpful than being negative.
Teach Teens Normal Nail Care
Provide a good nail clipper and file.
Show them how to smooth the edges of the nails with a file.
Reason: rough edges are hard for the nail biter to resist.
Show them how to cut any loose cuticles.
Reason: helps prevent pulling them.
Ask your teen if they are worried or nervous when you notice them biting their nails.
If you feel like your teen is struggling with anxiety, call your child’s primary care provider.
If as a parent you bite your nails, make it a habit you work on improving together.
If your teen is ready to stop, work on a plan to help them.
You can discuss coming up with a code signal to remind them about biting.
Working towards a goal like a manicure can be helpful.
You can try nail polishes that have a bitter taste, that are marketed as safe to try for nail biting.
Remain positive and continue to praise your teen for any decreases in nail biting.
Good things to avoid:
Caution: Never Punish Your Child in Any Way for Nail Biting
Never swat your child's hand or pull their finger out of their mouth.
Avoid scolding, nagging or repeated reminders.
Avoid shaming with words like "dirty or disgusting" habit. It will only make your child feel bad about something that's hard to control.
When to contact your child’s provider:
This treatment plan does not improve the nail biting.
You think your child needs to be seen.
You have other questions or concerns.
This article was adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Patient Education. Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP.
Reviewed by: TT DO, JW MD, Patient Education Committee, 07/2025