My seven-year-old daughter bites her nails. Is this habit harmful to her health? How can I stop her?

— Mishika Patel, Bengaluru

Nail biting typically begins in childhood, and can cause sore skin and tissue damage, and in some cases, a bacterial infection known as paronychia. But in most cases it is harmless. Almost half of all children and even teens bite their nails. I suggest you trim your daughter’s nails short. Observe her behaviour and identify the reasons triggering nail biting. If she is experiencing stress, calm and reassure her of your full support and love. Refrain from punishing or shaming her for nail-biting. Instead praise her if she resolves to give up the habit.

My four-year-old son keeps sucking his thumb and I think because of this his teeth have begun to protrude. Please advise.

— Sanvi Agrawal, Delhi

Infants have a natural rooting and sucking ability, but since your son is over three years old, it’s time to break the habit. Encourage him to give it up by offering praise and rewards such as extra playtime. You can also offer him healthy chewables which are good substitutes to incentivise a toddler to give up this habit but still enjoy oral stimulation. Don’t put too much pressure on your child to break the habit. It will create stress and lead to more thumb-sucking. Instead enable him to learn healthy coping and soothing skills.

My nine-year-old daughter is a junk food addict. Because of this she always complains of upset stomach. How can I wean her away from junk food?

— Gargi Chand, Mumbai

Children learn from example. If you don’t eat junk food when you’re out and/or at home, she will get the message that it is unhealthy. If she witnesses you and the family eating healthy, balanced meals and not being picky about food, she is likely to follow the family example. Introduce her to divergent fresh foods, flavours and textures. Encourage her to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Discuss the benefits of eating wholesome natural, homemade food with her. Most importantly, ensure that you have healthy snacks to offer her when she is peckish between meals.

My five-year-daughter always points to her stomach after meals. If I ask her, she says it’s not paining. Could she have another problem?

— Shubha Akila, Bengaluru

Your daughter may be feeling bloated because she ate too much or experiencing discomfort because of ingesting spicy or greasy food. Or she could have had something hard to digest. She is experiencing food intolerance. Some symptoms include weight loss, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool or vomit, or pain in the upper right or lower right abdomen. If your child has any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

(Dr. Akash Paul is general physician, Pillar Hospital, Port Blair)