My 8 year old has just started licking and putting each finger on each hand into her mouth. She touches the back of her teeth with each one. She had never had any thumb sucking or even a binki when she was little. She says that she doesn't feel anxious of any other way but she just does it. She had mentioned one time she had done that when her finger had a sore and it healed it. I am at a loss. Nothing will stop her. Will she grow out of this? It seems to be getting worse. I just do not know how to help her:(
It's only been a few weeks since I posted this question. Everytime I brought it to her attention she could not help but do it! I have tried to overlook this behavior unless she does it continuously. And...she has significantly stopped doing this! I would say she only does it about 1/4 of the time she used too. Thank you for all your comments!!!
Its probably turning into a habit at this point. I'd say to google a video about germs on your hands and fingers maybe see if you can find one that shows them through a microscope. I remember touching petri dishes at school and then viewing the results after they grew for a while. YUCK
This like my little anxious kid. Minor anxiety however, she used to touch her face a little bit at times. It was a phase. I see it now and then - very infrequently now.
I wouldn't make a big deal but I would say we don't put our fingers in our mouths because of germs - just matter of factly.
Keep in mind, kids don't necessarily know they feel anxious.
It's common (anxiety) at this age. They tend to grow out of it on their own - big milestone in development at this age.
* You could put hand cream on her hands, to discourage her - let her pick it out, something nicely scented she'd like, but wouldn't taste good.
If she does it from some feeling of anxiety, then no amount of talking or disciplining her will make it better. In fact, it may make it worse or make her hide it or even choose something else more harmful.
I'd let it go for now, and put in a call to the pediatrician to ask how long you should allow it to continue before addressing it medically/psychologically.
See if dropping the subject helps her work through this. Maybe constantly discussing it and trying to get her to stop makes it much more top of mind. It really doesn't sound dangerous, even if it's a little unappetizing, so you don't need to panic. If you can easily (inconspicuously) take a photo or video while you appear to just be looking at your phone, it will give you something to show the doctor. I'd email it or discuss it privately without your daughter being there, at least to start.
If she does have anxiety, there are a wide variety of techniques to deal with it. Get expert help in this regard.
It sounds almost like nail biting.
I know a guy in high school who finally got fed up with his own nail biting (his fingers were sore and getting bloody) that he decided to break his habit by wearing gloves for as long as it took for him to get over it.
He was over it within a few weeks.
This is obsessive/compulsive behavior. You need to talk to the pediatrician about it and get her some help.
