9 Yr Old Son Can't Keep His Hands Out of His Mouth!?

Updated on May 06, 2008
K.C. asks from Windham, NH
5 answers

Help!! I need some advice on what to do about this. He ALWAYS has his hands in his mouth, biting at his nails, fingers, it's soo gross!! Even while in the middle of playing flag football, there he is with his hands in his mouth. I have tried to tell him how gross this is, but to no avail......

What can I do next?

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J.C.

answers from Boston on

Maybe he has anxiety??Or hes nervous for some reason??Not sure how to get him to stop?I know they make nail biting stuff to put on his nails but not sure whats in it,maybe tell him tiny little bugs live under his nailbeds ect....although boys probaly really dont care!!Well good luck hope you get him to stop,maybe have him purell all the time??Put bottles around the house?

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

This does seem like a nervous/anxious behavior - any idea if he has been bullied at school or anything like that? It could just be a phase that he'll grow out of. Try giving him something more socially acceptable to do with his hands every time you catch him at it - maybe he'd like a stress ball or something like that?

Good luck, I hope you find something that works!

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M.A.

answers from Boston on

My 8 year old daughter was the same way. It seemed to be an oral fixation thing so I started offering her gum to chew and the behavior has decreased alot.
Good luck!

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D.T.

answers from New London on

Well if nothing but some encouragement, I have an 8 yr old who is almost 9 who is the same way. He always has been. I used to have the biting the nails habit but it seems so much more than that. My son has a lot of energy and one fo those that is always moving around. It is like a continual letting him know when they are in his mouth, he does it without even thinking. We have talked to him, taken away things like gum adn stuff until we see some nail on his fingers. It has worked some but still workign on breaking the habit. I think eventually he will. I just feel so naggy having to tell him all the time. If I see that he hasn't been doign it much or his nails are grwoing, I point that out. When they ehar teh praise it helps them to break the habit too. If you get any ideas that work, please let me know too!
D.

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L.Q.

answers from Boston on

Sounds like a nervous tick! I would try not to make it a huge issue or tell him it or he is gross to often. Ask his doctor why he may be doing it & what can be done to stop it.
Has he been tested for ADD/ADHD or anything? Too much energy which can make a child act nervous or anxious. My niece is 10 and does not have ADD/ADHD however very hyper active and also bites nails when she is in a hyper mood or playing physically. Not sure why just hyper like her dad I guess.

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