Nail Biting - Genoa,IL

http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Habit_disorders__How...

I went to the above website to read about nail biting since my cousin did this and still does sometimes as an adult. Some of the other posters said it was due to stress. But... when I think of my cousin doing it as a kid, I did not see any real stress in her. So yes... the website said there are different reasons why a person bites their nails. Your son is not alone... it stated that 44% of adolescents do this! For some, I think it's just an oral fixation. They have to have something in the mouth whether it's a toothpick, finger, etc... You may want to go to the website I typed above because I thought it was pretty informative.
J.

My brother did it horribly. It is stress. He also had/has a self esteem issue. We had kinda a rough childhood. He keep everything inside. Even if the home life is great, being 13 these days is ROUGH!! Whew, I would never go back for nothing!! LOL
Now my son bites his here and there, seems only when he's nervous. I tell him his finger nails aren't clean and keep his fingers out of his mouth. After about 100 times it gets through! It's truely harmless, just germy. Good luck.
Mom to four great kids!

I leave my nails alone, but my cuticles and finger skin are fair game. Yep, its stress... if you find a way to get him to quit you let me know!!! I have been at it for over 20 years... and seem to have no problems aside from a limited ability to do hand modeling. ; )

I don't have any advice to give you, but I did that myself when I was young. I wonder if it was related more to self-esteem issues rather than stress.

oh man, my son did the same thing. only my son was about 13 months. I was afraid he was going to start biting his nails because I do. I hate the fact that I do because it's so not classy! :) but, I would just tell him "don't bite your nails" EVERY time I saw him. I just said it really calm and nice and after about 6 mo - 1 year he stopped! yea! not sure what it would be like for a 13 year old....they can growl and talk back! and yes, it is a nervous habit and for me, it's just something to do. I'm not normally a nervous person....just always on the go. Hopefully if you just keep on him...he'll stop. or get the nailbiting stuff from walgreens. it tastes gross. hope he stops. :) A.