Frequent nose picking

[APCDmama]

Can someone please help me?!! My 3-yr-old DD picks her nose constantly. Honestly, it seems like her finger is permanently attached to her nostril! It doesn't bother me too much when we are alone, but it's quite embarrassing when we are out in public or spending time with extended family/friends. Almost everyone comments on it, and it's frustrating that we can't get her to stop. Does anyone else have this problem? What do you do about it?

[hubris]

My 4 y/o is a picker. I wouldn't be embarassed in public - most people aren't really offended by a little kid picking their nose, it's pretty normal. The people commenting need to correct their own socially inappropriate behavior.

We remind him to keep his fingers out of his nose, but ultimately, this is something he has to outgrow himself. Kids do eventually get old enough to realize that what they're doing is socially unacceptable. My son sometimes ends up with a bloody nose from picking. He understands that the picking causes it. I consider this a part of life, figuring out the natural consequences of his actions.

We do insist that he wash his hands before touching us, eating food, etc. I don't want boogers on me. Other than that, though, I haven't found that nagging kids to stop picking is terribly productive, it just turns into a struggle.

[Marsupialmom]

Allergies can cause nose picking.

I wouldn't ban it but make it something that needs to be done in private. I would gentlely tell him to go to do a private spot.

Another thing is saline solution rinse out his nose. If he has been doing it for a while he might have a sore in there.

[theretohere]

How often do you comment? Is it maybe indirectly encouraging the behaviour? I think that most little kids chronically pick, it's just something to grow out of.

[Momily]

I think you have to wonder what's going on to cause all the "gold" they're mining for.

I'd think about nasal sprays/washes, increasing the humidity if your house is dry, looking at allergy prevention strategies etc. . .

[kewb]

I found ignoring it worked best with my 2. They loved to pick their noses when they were little. My dh used to try to make them stop all the time and that made it worse. I would make them wash hands before touching anyone/anything and I would remind them to use a tissue and to find a private spot/bathroom in which to pick.

[HappyAgain]

I think it is a phase that a lot of three year olds go through.

Unfortunately, putting things in their nose can also be a part of this phase. My previous foster daughter would search for little things to put up her nose. Make sure there is no odor or bad breath and try and ignore as much as possible. Maybe you could just tell her to do it in her bedroom or the bathroom only? If shes not getting too much attention for it, she will probably stop on her own.

[APCDmama]

Thanks for your responses, everyone! I really appreciate the advice, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone. I am pretty good about ignoring the behaviour, but, as I mentioned, other family members (DH, grandparents, etc) constantly comment.

Grandma: "Put your hands on your head! Put your hands on your head".

Grandpa: "Do you need a kleenex? Here's a kleenex."

DH: pulls fingers out of DD's nose and tells her to "Stop" several times a day

Auntie: "Wow, she sure picks her nose a lot. I'm glad my kids aren't pickers." (in front of DD)

The people commenting need to correct their own socially inappropriate behavior.

Thanks for this, hubris! And, what a great point!

Allergies can cause nose picking.

I am going to mention the picking to our naturopath at the next appointment. DD has some food allergies, so it wouldn't surprise me if her nose is driving her crazy.

How often do you comment? Is it maybe indirectly encouraging the behaviour?

My dh used to try to make them stop all the time and that made it worse.

Excellent observations, theretohere and kewb. The comments certainly aren't helping to curb the behaviour. I need to speak to family about this issue.

My DD does seem embarassed, at times, but that doesn't stop her. I know that it's normal behaviour, but WOW she does it A LOT! I do believe that it is a phase, HappyAgain. Thank goodness she doesn't find much "gold", Momily, and at least she's not an eater.

We have a family photo (extended, EVERYONE is in it) and my dd has her finger in her nose. :::sigh:::

When do they grow out of nose picking? I teach kindergarten, so I'm no stranger to this phenomena. Maybe that's why it doesn't really bother me much (unless it bothers other people). I see it all the time, at work and home.