Most of us are pretty susceptible to the Swine Flu since we cannot run and hide from other people and germs, but when you are a nail biter you are at a much greater risk. Jenny Craig’s motto: In your house, in your mouth. My nail biter’s motto: Hand in mouth, bug in mouth. It’s really that simple.
It’s been hard getting my daughter to quit biting her nails and cuticles for about ten years now, despite all attempts other than hypnotism to curb the habit. I tell her it looks odd when she is constantly sucking on her hands at thirteen. I tell her about the organisms on her fingers that she is feeding directly into her body. If Swine Flu doesn’t deter her, what will?
Many websites, including Health Field Medicare, are posting suggestions for quitting during the epidemic. It’s not enough to shame children or buddies by reminding them what their hands are touching during the day. These sites tell us to pick up some props to keep the mouth and hands preoccupied with something else.
Here are some of the recommended steps:
1. Chewing Gum
Dentists aren’t fans but it keeps the mouth busy
2. Hand Toys
A charm bracelet, knitting kit, rubber stress ball might serve as good coping tools for busy hands.
3. Manicures for teens
The chemicals are nasty, but once in a while, getting those nails cleaned and polished might make a difference to those concerned with appearances, i.e. teens! And when the nails are hard from polish they are harder to chew.
Meantime, experts warn not to freak kids out about the flu since nail-biting is already a way to calm themselves down from the anxieties of a world faced with war, economic collapse, violence, fierce academic competition … and yes, even a foul virus that doesn’t want to go away.
If none of the tips work, you can always resort to hypnotism. I’ve always wanted to try it but fear it might be dangerous for a kid. They might say the wrong thing and she will begin sucking on her toes or collecting reptiles. It’s tough to mess with chronic behavior. I’m pondering it all as I grab yet another bar from the Halloween stash. Better head back to Weight Watchers on Monday.
