My 19 month old son wore his nails down playing outside a few weeks ago (playing with gravel) and started sucking on his fingers to relieve the discomfort. He is now constantly biting his nails, and even a little on the skin. They are extremely short and I worry about infection. I would like to know if anyone knows of a product that I can apply that will make it taste really bad. I tried white vinegar, but apparently he likes his fingers pickled! :)
I know he dislikes grapefruit juice, but I don't want his fingers to become the attraction for the neighbourhood bees and wasps.

Preferably I would like to put something edible on his fingers that just has a very bitter taste. I know there are some products out there for thumbsuckers, although my local pharmacist has not heard of them and I don't know of any particular brands. I would really like as natural a product as possible.

Any ideas on how to help him, please let me know. He is good about removing his fingers when I ask him, but of course they are back within a few minutes - mostly subconsciously from what I can tell. Since his hands are also everywhere else of course, being 19 months old, I am worried for hygiene's sake as well.

Thanks!

Here's something I just found online:

http://www.folica.com/Orly_No_Bite_d515.html


$3.99
A bitter flavored nail bite deterrent helps break the annoying and painful nail biting habit allowing for healthy new nail growth.

Here's another site... a little more informative

http://stopbitingnails.com/

I just typed:

Stop biting nails

Into Google... there's a lot of results there

The last one is great. I had done a couple of searches too, but kept getting the old "apply nailpolish" solution or lists of chemicals I don't know, neither of which I am not keen to try do due to his age. This seems perfect as it is all natural ingredients. Thanks a lot!

You might try keeping his nails filed and smoothed out so that he doesn't feel like there's something there to bite off. He may also be trying to soothe some pain. So you might have him soak his little hands in warmer water for a few minutes a day, he will feel comforted without having to put his fingers in his mouth. Hope this helps.