Hygiene

by Stacey
(Sudbury MA)

My son just turned 5 years old. I can not find a way to cut his toe nails anymore. I use to do it in his sleep but now that he is older he is waking up to the slightest touch.




I've covered his feet with blankets, my hands with gloves and a host of other things. They are growing into his skin at this point, and yes I have even held him down I do not want to go through that again. Any help appreciated.






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Jul 05, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		NAILS
by: Stacey

Hi, It's been about a yr since my original post. My son still has issues with nail cutting. toenails are the worst and usually end up in a fight and holding him down.

Beth your son is 10, have you tried letting him cut his nails on his own? Letting him file them with a corse emory board (like the ones they use @ nail salons) I found when my son can master a task on his own (like shampooing hair) it goes a little smoother if he is in control. There are nail clippers that are made for people who have arthritis that work really well and are a little easier to handle.

SPD is hard to handle. In our own lives things that work one day don't always work the next! Hope this helps! LMK.
Jul 05, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Nail cutting really hurts!
by: Beth

My son is 10 yrs old and has had SPD (diagnosed since age 4). His nails have always hurt when being cut and that has not gotten any better. We know that they are supposedly "dead cells" but it still hurts him badly every time. He has done OT, we have tried body brushing, soaking the nails, using various tools to cut and it is still extremely painful. Does anyone else have an older boy with this problem? My son is constantly teased and stared at at school but it still hurts too much to cut them, even to avoid harassment. Anyone else with this extreme? He would like to know that he is not the only one. I have let him take more ownership over cutting them and he will tell me where I can trim them but it is a social issue. Help?
Feb 19, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		toenails here too!
by: Lucy

We have the same problem with my daughter. She's almost 5 and I also used to do it when she was asleep. Now the slightest touch wakes her and she's too strong for us to hold her down and do it. Some are trying to grow around the tips of her toes, I know it affects how her shoes feel. I've given her candy, let her play on the computer, watch her favorite shows nothing distracts her and I cant even get the clippers CLOSE to her toes. She screams at me "MOMMY DONT TOUCH! DONT TOUCH MY FEET! DONT TOUCH MY TOES!" I love that she takes ownership of her body and isnt afraid to tell us how she feels, and realizes that it's her right to say no, but really I cant just let them keep growing.

She doesnt have a dx. I've got observations from the school psych, her teacher, and will be printing out the checklist here.
Sep 13, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Cutting nails
by: Tracey

My 8 year old son has this problem with his toe nails and also his finger nails. I used to do it while he was asleep but now he wakes.

My OT has taught us to soak his nails in warm water first, one nail at a time and only cut with baby nail scissors that are shaped outward. Also, do not try to cut them all at once.

It has really worked.
Sep 07, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		finger nails
by: Anonymous

My son used to basically have a panic attack if I tried to cut his nails. He would examine every nail after I cut it and if it wasn't cut just right or it was a little too short, he was break down crying and freaking out. At one point he was afraid to take a bath because he thought the water would get under his nails. He would literally sit in the bath with his feet out of the water. Now a days, he's alot better. I think repetition has made a big difference. He has learned to trust me and knows he's not going to die if his nails are cut. He's used to it. Just hang in there and earn his trust. Really reassure him. I think you will find it gets better.
Feb 06, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hygiene
by: Anonymous

My son used to hate having his toenails cut too but he is much better these days. He always did well when I let him watch his favorite TV show and have a snack while I was cutting them. I think brushing has helped too. Hope this helps!
Feb 05, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		fingernails
by: Carolyn-Odessa, TX

I have similar problems with my son. He can't stand to have his fingernails cut. It usually takes me husband holding him down while I cut. He's not quite as sensitive with the toe nails but he acts like it hurts when we cut them. If you get any suggestions I would very interested in them.

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