NOSE PICKING

From time to time, virtually every child puts his finger in his nose and removes the contents, either eating them or wiping them on anything that happens to be nearby. Parents, understandably, have trouble remaining neutral about this  -- after all, it's socially unacceptable behavior. While you may not be able to stop this habit completely, you can teach your child (usually by age 4 or 5) not to pick his nose in public and to dispose of the contents in a tissue.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Nose picking can cause minor nosebleeds and may also increase the risk of colds, since respiratory viruses are usually passed from the hands to the nose. If a child rubs his eyes after picking his nose, he could transfer germs and end up with pinkeye or other infections. Frequent nose picking sometimes causes scabs and sores inside the nostrils, intensifying a child's urge to poke around in there.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Don't use words like "yuck" or "nasty" when you see your child picking his nose. Young children tend to think you're rejecting them if you're disgusted by their behavior or bodily functions. And overreacting can actually encourage more nose picking by toddlers and preschoolers, who enjoy being able to provoke you.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Use matter-of-fact comments to teach your child not to pick his nose in public. Offer him tissues, and wash his hands often and keep his fingernails trimmed to decrease the risk of starting an infection.

To help heal and soften irritating scabs, run a humidifier or vaporizer in his room. Every day apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the center wall inside the nose with a cotton swab. If your child is cooperative, you can give him a bandage to wear on his finger as a reminder not to pick.