Question
A boy, 2 years and 9 months old. In the first year, he would chew on the blanket (holding it to his mouth, nibbling, just touching his lips, making a suckling sound). In the second year, he chewed on the cuff of his shirt. This year, he chews on any part of his fingers, usually the outer side of his thumb. The same way. He doesn’t put them in his mouth. I know this is a bad habit, how should I overcome it?
Answer
Chewing on nails not only causes damage to the nails but may also lead to other clinical symptoms. Some children who bite their nails often have yellowing of the face muscles, abdominal bloating, visible veins, insufficient diet, preference for five flavors, restless sleep at night, grinding teeth, dry or runny stools or diarrhea, yellow tongue coating, greasy tongue, slippery pulse. These symptoms indicate disharmony between the spleen and stomach and symptoms of worm-induced jaundice; others belong to children who bite their nails. Children with irritability, white eyes, red tongue, wiry red pulse, constipation, and redness are manifestations of liver fire and dry blood. Malnutrition is natural. The older they get, the better.