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Nail Biting In Children - How To Stop It
Nail biting is often a harmless habit that most children acquire naturally as they grow older. Most of them quit on their own over time, but some carry it on to their teens and adulthood. Estimates show nearly 50% of children between the ages of 10 – 18 bite their nails. Although it is an annoying habit, it is up to the parents to discover the underlying causes and help them get over it.
Causes of Nail Biting in Kids
Children bite their nails due to various reasons such as anxiety, stress, and boredom and comfort. Here are some of the most common reasons for child biting nails:
1. For Comfort
Infants and toddlers suck their thumb as a self-soothing action which is a natural thing to do. It provides comfort when they are playing or being on their own. The nail-biting is a modified form of thumb-sucking that develops as the kids grow. Hence children and even teenagers bite their nails as it feels comforting.
2. Boredom
Kids engage in nail-biting when there are bored or doing something monotonous. It can also be seen when they are not involved in an activity and their hands are free; during watching TV or attending a class.
3. To Relieve Anxiety and Stress
Situations at home or school that can cause stress or anxiety triggers nail biting in children. There are plenty of stressful situations that can cause them to get anxious such as:
Fights between family members or parents
Loss of a family member or a close relative
Divorce
Relocating to a new city or home
Joining a new school
Getting bullied by other kids
Punishment
Pressure to perform well in class or sports
4. Imitating Habits of Others
Children pick up behaviours of others quickly. Nail biting is one such behaviour which is common, and when they see another sibling or a family member doing it, they imitate the habit.
5. Genetics
There are chances that your habits get passed on to your children through your genes. If you were a nail biter as a kid, chances are your children will be too.
How to Stop Nail Biting in a Child?
Here are some effective home remedies for child nail biting:
1. Pacify Anxieties
If you notice that your child bites his nails more often when he is stressed or anxious about issues such as changing schools, moving to a different place or conflicts within the family, take time to talk to him. Find a good time when he is in the right mood and connect with him to discuss the things he may be worried about.
2. Trim their Nails Regularly
Trimming their nails is a good way to minimise their urge to bite them. Clip and file their nails every week, so there are no rough edges that tempt them to gnaw at it. Girls can have their nails done at a salon, so it looks all shiny and pretty. The attention and pampering her nails get can keep her from biting them again.
3. Offer an Alternative
Give them something else to release their anxiety and fidgeting. A stress ball is great for releasing anxiety. Squeezing and rolling it in their hands can give the children a better way to relax. Activities and projects that keep their hands busy is another good option. Arts and crafts along with stimulating their imagination relieve their stress. Outdoor activities, playtime and sports are also some of the best ways to release pent-up energy.
4. Make Them Aware of The Habit
Habits such as nail biting are mostly unconscious. Your child would not know at most times that they are doing it and hence get surprised when you yell at them to stop. Talk to the child about what causes them to bite the nail and suggest secret ways to remind them of it when they do it. This is useful when done in a subtle way, especially in public where they can get embarrassed. A tap on the shoulder or a code word only the two of you know is a good start.
5. Reward Positive Behaviour
When you see that your child is making progress in the right direction by channelling their anxiety in healthier ways, appreciate and reward them. Take them out for ice cream, just the two of you as a reward or buying them a new toy they have been wanting. Children are naturally inclined to please their parents and seek attention from them. Therefore praising their mindfulness regarding their habits or building healthy ones encourages them to repeat those.
6. Keep at it
It can be extremely frustrating to get your child to stop biting their nails. The same method may not work for all the kids, therefore try new ones over time to see what works. Habits are hard to break, and since anxiety doesn’t develop overnight, it takes a while for them to quit nail biting or establish a new release. Be patient with them. If none of the methods works and your child seems overly anxious, consult their paediatrician to help them out.
7. The Bitter Taste Trick
There are child-safe liquids available in medical stores or recommended by your paediatrician that is made to stop nail biting habit. Apply it to their nails. Their bitter taste acts as a reminder to stop gnawing at their nails.
8. Don’t Make it a Big Deal
If you fret about their habit, they can pick up your anxiety and become edgy. They may also use that as a way to get your attention if you are not looking out for them in other ways.
Complications Related to Child Nail Biting
Sometimes children can gnaw into their nails so deep that they often bleed that can hurt their fingers or make their gums sore.
Nail biting with dirty hands can lead to infections and diseases
Severe nail biting can be a sign of underlying attention or anxiety problems that need to be dealt with
Understanding why your child continues to bite their nails is half of the solution to stopping the habit. Over time, it is possible to get them to quit by reinforcing positive alternatives.
Also Read: Tips to Correct Bad Habits in Kids Read more
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10 Good and Bad Effects of Quitting Dairy
From sugar to fats, fruits to gluten, simple carbs to everything ‘white’... people trying to lose weight will give up just about anything to reach their target! One of the foods many people give up in their battle against body weight is dairy. Let’s take a look at how quitting dairy affects your body.
Why People Quit Dairy
People who quit dairy are advised to do so for a lot of different reasons.
Dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt, clarified butter, etc.) and foods that contain them (milk chocolates, ice-creams, frozen desserts, thick shakes, etc.) – are all high in carbs, fats and proteins. They also contain a lot of other nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, etc.
While all these nutrients are required by the human body, if the amount of dairy products you are consuming in a day is in excess of the recommended amount, it could lead to a lot of body changes: gaining weight, bloating, acne, and more.
So there are indeed a lot of benefits of quitting dairy. But could there also be undesirable side-effects? Let’s find out!
Benefits of Quitting Dairy
To begin with, let’s take a look at the benefits of quitting dairy.
1. No More Bloated Tummy!
This alone might be reason enough for women to want to quit dairy. Bloating is generally observed as a result of lactose intolerance when it comes to consumption of dairy. However, proof exists of the opposite being true too – some people react to quitting dairy by feeling more bloated than they normally do! You’ve got to try this one out to know which group you belong to.
2. Spring in Your Step!
Quitting dairy makes you lose weight. You basically cut down the amount of sugar, fat and protein you are consuming on a daily level. This leads to weight-loss since intake of all primary food-groups is reduced. Feeling lighter? We bet you are!
3. Bye-Bye Foundation and Compact Powder!
This aspect of dairy consumption might surprise a lot of people. Dairy products contain a lot of enzymes and hormones that are of animal origin, and it has been observed that these enzymes often affect the skin adversely. From blemishes to spots, they make your skin age faster. Quitting dairy thus helps your skin restore itself. Finally, no more long hours in front of the mirror applying layers and layers of make-up!
4. Bye-Bye Pimples Too!
The hormones that are present in dairy products not only destroy your skin with patches and blotches but also can cause acne breakouts. If you are someone who always gets acne irrespective of what stage of your menstrual cycle you are at, there is enough reason for you to consider quitting dairy. Why not give it a try?
5. Reduced Risk of Ovarian Cancer!
This is perhaps one of the most surprising effects of giving up dairy products! The culprits, again, are the hormones that dairy products contain. It has been speculated by a study that drinking more than one glass of milk can actually increase your risk of ovarian cancer. So steering clear of that extra serving is definitely going to cut down your risk.
Did You Know? Dairy increases men’s chances of getting prostate cancer too! A group of scientists at Harvard found out recently that 34% of men who consume double dairy servings on a daily basis increase their chances getting prostate cancer.
WATCH: Quitting Dairy Helped Jillian Cure Her Asthma
https://youtu.be/XDI63dh-5QQ
Key Takeaway: Jillian went vegan to try and better manage her asthma. But in the process, she ended up getting rid of it completely! This is how it happened:
Being a vegan means giving up all food that comes from animals – milk, honey, meat, etc. Jillian became a vegan and so, obviously, had to give up Dairy products.
In only 2 months, her asthma was completely gone. One of the reasons behind this is the inflammation that dairy products can cause was now all gone.
When Jillian gave up her vegan style and reintroduced animal products to her lifestyle, she realised that it was dairy products that brought her asthma back – she faced allergies, stomach issues, and malaise.
NOTE: This is an account of a personal experience. Results may vary for different individuals.
Side-Effects of Quitting Dairy
Because dairy products also have a lot of beneficial nutrients, quitting dairy can potentially result in undesirable side-effects too.
1. Digestion Problems Can Aggravate
Dairy products – especially yoghurt – contain lactobacilli. These bacteria keep our gut in good health and aid proper digestion of food. The fats in dairy also keep constipation away. Quitting dairy robs you of all these benefits, making your digestion suffer.
2. Bone Strength Gets Compromised
This may not happen as an immediately perceivable effect, but long-term deprivation of dairy products depletes the body’s calcium and vitamin D levels, both of which have a direct effect on our bone health. In fact, women are advised to drink a glass of milk every day after the age of 40 because they rapidly lose calcium thereafter and become more prone to osteoporosis.
3. Your Immunity Takes a Hit
Dairy products help keep our immune system on track because they contain vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 helps in fighting off bacteria, and it has been observed that a lowered level of the vitamin can lead to people picking up unusual infections, caused by bacteria that would normally not give rise to an infection (for e.g.: Helicobacter pylori).
4. Energy and Endurance Go Down
All said and done, milk is a wholesome food, and that daily glass of milk serves to provide the body good amount of energy. So withdrawal of dairy consumption can make you feel tired through the day, till your body gets used to it. Giving up dairy can also bring down your protein intake, affecting your muscle strength, and thereby your endurance.
5. Mood Swings and Disturbed Sleep
Dairy products, because of their high satiety content, can help keep our mood stable. Dairy is also recommended as a food to eat before going to bed, as it helps people sleep better. So quitting dairy might adversely affect your mood and sleep both. However, a lot of people say this effect may be just a withdrawal symptom and might go away once your body gets used to it.
So, as is the case with everything in life, giving up dairy has both positive and negative effects. However, one point to be noticed is, quitting dairy has different effects on different people. So it is best to give this a shot for a week or two, before accepting it as a lifestyle change. Read more
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Your Low Fat Diet Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good!
When you think about weight loss or dieting, you might assume that consuming fat-free or low-fat food will help. But, there are real dangers of low-fat diets. The fact is, when you remove fats, you just end up supplementing them with saturated fats.
Are you treating your body right by lowering fats in your food? Most will nod in agreement, but little do you know that consuming fats doesn't necessarily make you fat. Fats are, in fact, very important for your brain tissues and they also help you digest carbohydrates. Regular consumption of a low-fat diet can put your health at risk. However, it doesn't mean that your diet should be high in fats either. It should be properly balanced.
Side Effects of a Low-fat Diet
1. You End Up Consuming Bad Fat
This is one of the most controversial of low fat diet consequences. When monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are removed from food, something needs to be added to make food taste good. Think chocolate ice cream or cheese. Fats contain lipids that make food taste wonderful and when you eliminate them from your diet, you end up trying to compensate for the taste with corn syrup, sweeteners and salts that your body definitely doesn’t require.
2. Your Body Lacks Proper Nutrition
What is a low-fat diet? It’s a diet where you consume 'something' in the place of fats. Unfortunately, that something is usually not high in nutrition. You probably consume more carbs and proteins now, which may lead to health problems. Keeping a balance of all three of these macronutrients is the right way to go.
3. Your Low-Fat Diet Could Contribute to Weight Gain
Fats are filling and satisfy our taste buds for a longer duration. When you cut them from your diet, you end up getting hungry more frequently so you tend to gulp down more snacks, which means you consume more calories. Carbohydrates then release insulin, which in turn increases fat storage. The end result is weight gain.
4. Good Cholesterol Levels Drop
The cholesterol present in our body needs a lot of good fats. When your diet is too low on these, the body fails to release HDL, which is good cholesterol. This can cause problems that can lead to heart disease, depression, and even suicidal tendencies! These low-fat diet risks are just not worth the bother and can easily be avoided by consuming good quality fats such as grass-fed butter and egg yolks.
5. You Could See an Increase in Blood Sugar Levels
The dangers of a low-fat diet include having blood sugar levels spike up. Carbohydrates need fats to be able to be digested. Decreased fat and increased sugar result in glucose flowing through the blood stream, causing higher sugar levels.
Considering the disadvantages of a low-fat diet, stop eliminating this vital nutrient from your meals. Balance everything with other essential nutrients and give your body what it needs. You can start by using coconut oil or oils from nuts and seeds. Avocados, fatty fish, soy milk, tofu and peanut butter are also excellent sources of good fats. Bad fats to avoid include packaged snacks, fried foods, ice cream and fatty cuts of meat. Consume them in moderation and increase your intake of good fats to keep health in check. Read more
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Laced Chocolate Ganache Cake
One piece of this laced chocolate ganache cake can bring an instant smile on your kid’s face. Chocolate cakes are always a hit among kids. But, the one we are sharing here is not your regular chocolate cake – it is something special. Covered in decadent chocolate ganache and wrapped with a chocolate lace, it is sure to win your kid’s heart instantly
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
8 People
20 - 25 Minutes
25 - 30 Minutes
Ingredients
2/3 cup maida
½ cup condensed milk
¼ cup butter
3 tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
100 ml soda water
½ tsp vanilla essence
For the Ganache
60 gram dark chocolate, chopped
60 ml cream
For the chocolate lace
50 gram chocolate
Chocolate shavings for garnishing
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven at 180 C. Grease a 6 inch round tin and dust it with flour.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, shift all the dry ingredients and stir well. In another medium mixing bowl, add the softened butter and condensed milk and whisk for two minutes. Add the vanilla essence and whisk it well again.
Step 3
Now add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture, slowly and keep whisking to form a lump-free batter. Add the soda water and mix for another 2 minutes.
Step 4
Pour the batter in pre-greased tin and bake it at 180 degrees celsius in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. When done a skewer pricked in the middle of the cake will come out clean.
Step 5
Cool it completely on a wire rack. While it is cooling prepare the ganache.
Step 6
Boil cream in a saucepan and add the chopped chocolate into it. Stir and take it off heat. Keep stirring till you get a smooth chocolatey ganache. Let it cool it for 7-10 minutes and pour the ganache over the cooled cake. Spread the ganache evenly.
Step 7
Make a cone with parchment paper. Also cut a strip of parchment paper that fits into the circumference of the cake.
Step 8
Chop the chocolate and melt it in a microwave. Let it cool for a minute or so and fill the paper cone with melted chocolate. Straighten both the ends of the parchment paper and using the parchment paper cone, pipe a lace border chocolate.
Step 9
When the piped border is semi set – it will take 3-4 minutes; carefully wrap it around the cake. Transfer the cake in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, take it out and peel off the parchment paper to get a beautifully set lace border.
Step 10
Slice and serve!
Nutritional Information
Calories
233 K cal
Proteins
4.1 g
Fats
12.2 g
Carbohydrates
28.1 g
Cholesterol
26 mg
Sodium
158 mg
Potassium
236 mg
Read more
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5 Real Fairy Lands to Dream About on International Fairy Day
Life isn't a fairy tale. Is that what you go about telling everyone with confidence? Wait! This June 24, as the world celebrates International Fairy Day, we bring you 5 destinations that are straight out of a dreamy fairy tale. We are convinced this is where fairies have been living right under our nose!
Fairy mythology may be as old as the hills and very few would believe modern fairies exist. But we know of one you too are familiar with. Guess who? Moms, of course! After all, don't you always fulfill the wishes of your brood with a magic wand of love and affection? On International Fairy Day, let go of cynicism and believe in fairies, if only for a day. This list of 5 fairy tale destinations that are very much real will get you thinking twice before you brush off fairies as mere stories!
Fairy Lands to Get you Dreaming
1. Russia
This old, mysterious land is sure to transport you into a different world. Russia boasts of romantic weather, spectacular colors, domes and intricate archways. Make sure you visit the Saint Basil’s Cathedral which has now been converted into a museum. You will occasionally be able to visualise a golden fairy or two fluttering around the edges of the domes. No kidding!
2. Portugal
Did you always rubbish tales of knights venturing out in the dark to save fairy tale princesses? This southern European country has old school castles, pretty villages and gold beaches which may revise your opinion! Check out the National Palace of Pena, Sintra which is a stunning pink and yellow castle with intricate architecture. We are sure invisible fairies look out of the windows.
3. Bhutan
This quiet and unassuming country is a delightful fairy story in and of itself. The peace you can find here is unparalleled. Bhutan has many Himalayan Buddhist temples sitting high up in carpets of green. Paro Taktsang, for instance, located in Tiger's Nest, belies all notions of physics with its alarming location. Not a big deal, of course, for fairies who love to keep their distance from mankind.
4. Japan
The Asian giant is sure to delight you with its progressive technology, exquisite cuisine and disciplined population. But Japan can turn into a stunning fairy tale land when you gaze at its beautiful flower arrangements and gardens. Imagine walking through an entire tunnel of magnificent flowers that render the sky above your head a gorgeous violet! Try out the Wisteria Tunnel located at the Kawachi Fuji Garden in Kitakyushu. We bet a group of industrious fairies weaved this one.
5. Kingdom of Denmark
If you wish to venture right into the home of fairies and elves, try this ancient kingdom with areas of perennial foggy weather. Delight in some stunning beaches, exotic food and world-class museums. But fairies truly make their presence felt in the Faroe Islands, an archipelago of vibrant green islands with steep volcanic rocks and peaks and a thick sense of mystery!
On this International Fairy Day, get together with your family and kids to gaze at these dreamy destinations. Sometimes, a dose of the seemingly unreal and a conscious choice to believe in stories can do wonders for the soul. If possible, plan your next vacation to one of these fairy lands and be as enthralled yourself as the kids are sure to be. Read more
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Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
11 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
11 hours ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
10 hours ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 7 m old child
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
How to cure constipation in Babies
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. Constipation in Babies less than 1 year is very common and more in formula fed babies and also when initially the semi solid food has been started after 6 months .
you can give bonnisan drops and some enzyme preparations in proper dose suggested by doctor angyd cow's milk should be avoided before 1 year of age . Medications are required but it shobuld be given only in medical supervision .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. Hello, I'm a hypothyroidism patients consumes 25mg tab,
can I take apple cider vinegar?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. I don’t think so ACv is going to be a problem but it would be better that you check with your doctor because Apple cider vinegar has couple of side-effects also also which a lot of people are not aware about so do not take it without your doctors advice and consent
Anitha S has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts can i go for long trips with my 7 months old baby
Anitha S
Mom of a 7 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. if you want you may go by taking all the necessary things for baby but see through that your baby doesn't feel any discomfort
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts plz suggest me medicine for toothache
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
55 mins ago
A. A proper assessment is required here so regarding this it is vmore favourable to contact your local doctor and accordingly he will guide in a proper manner.
If any more queries you can tgake online consultation on the platform for a detailed discussion .
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