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Nail biting and picking to the point of bleeding

ParentingAutism

Hi everyone, hope you are well. I would like to quickly say that my daughter is doing amazing in school. Staff have put more things in place and she is so much happier. She is a different person. 

She does however keep on biting her nails, she's done this her whole life but I'm not too worried because they don't get infected or bleed. But now she is starting to pick the nail and skin around it which in the past I want too worried about because she didn't do any serious damage involving it bleeding. My main worry now is that over the past couple of days, and I only found out from her today, that she has been using scissors to cut the skin around her nails and use tweezers to pull the skin to the point where its bleeding. She does it on multiple fingers. 

I don't know why she is doing it but she said she likes the pain of it. Is it a sensory thing? I'm not sure how I can help to replace this behaviour especially since it's becoming a problem. 

The thing I can't get put my head is what she said. She came downstairs asking for toenail scissors and I asked why, and she replied, so I can cut my finger, showing me the blood and the skin that's hanging off. I honestly couldn't believe it. 

Parents

  • I'm thrilled to hear that your daughter is doing so well in school and that the staff has been supportive! That's such a positive thing, especially for kids on the autism spectrum. However, the situation you described with the nail biting and picking is concerning, especially if she's escalated to using scissors and tweezers to the point of bleeding. Given that she's now cutting and pulling her skin, infections are a risk. As you seek professional help, you might also consider using a topical solution to prevent infection. One that comes to mind is [removed by moderator]. Damaged Restorative Solution, which is designed to combat fungus but also contains antiseptic properties that could help in preventing any bacterial infections on the fingers.

Reply

  • I'm thrilled to hear that your daughter is doing so well in school and that the staff has been supportive! That's such a positive thing, especially for kids on the autism spectrum. However, the situation you described with the nail biting and picking is concerning, especially if she's escalated to using scissors and tweezers to the point of bleeding. Given that she's now cutting and pulling her skin, infections are a risk. As you seek professional help, you might also consider using a topical solution to prevent infection. One that comes to mind is [removed by moderator]. Damaged Restorative Solution, which is designed to combat fungus but also contains antiseptic properties that could help in preventing any bacterial infections on the fingers.

Children
  • in reply to NAS89347

    Thank you for your response. I have forgotten to mention that the past few months I have taken on another business in nails. She has been my model and her nails are just amazing now. So long, strong and pretty. I took her to London with me to complete a shellac course so she was my model again. She loves her nails and wants to thank everyone for all the tips and advice we got. Xxx