Those Nibbled Nails

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 9

Those Nibbled Nails

The placid, plumply-smiling baby rarely develops into the toddler who bites his nails. For nail biting is a nervour trick and lies in wait for those who are “highly strung” or show nervour instability in some form or another. This is why scolding, punishment and pleading are each, in their different ways, inadvisable. They fix the child s attention more firmly on the trick, and this is just what wc want to avoid. For this reason, I have not much faith in the bitter aloes of tradition, though with children who are terribly anxious to rid themselves of the habit, such reminders may be useful. But then the child’s own will is aroused, and that is a great deal more than half the battle, while artificial reminders, like boomerangs, are apt to recoil upon those who use them. All habits are tiresome to break, and this, of nail-biting_, is one of the most obstinate. Prevention, therefore, is of vital importance. So, at the least sign of picking or fidgeting with the fingers, see that the nails are kept very short and smooth, and immaculately clean. It is the irritation from roughness, etc., which starts the habit ... if it is not sheer mimicry, for children are veritable little monkeys in this way! A file, followed by a tiny emery board, is therefore better than scissors, because it makes the top of the nails and the surrounding surface velvet smooth. Hangnails rarely occur unless there is injury from biting or otherwise. If they do, rub in some good cuticle cream and keep the little finger in a finger-stall till the tiny spike softens and falls out.

But what about cure, you say? Well, with toddlers, gloves are the best protection, after dressing the nails each morning with cream. After a week or so the habit is usually broken. With older children the great thing is to enlist their co-operation. The gift of a manicure outfit often works wonders with little girls. Hands are not easily kept clean in school days, so insist upon a thorough soaking in soapy lather, followed by rinsing in cold water at night in addition to the careful filing and rubbing down of any inequalities. _ Such precautions plus a little vanity are most useful. But it is a work of patience, and judicious encouragement as well as supervision are called for.