How Do I Get My Son to Stop Picking His Nose?

If this just started it may be the dry weather and he can't help it his nose feels "weird" try a humidifier.
I found what worked best was to only allow it in the bathroom & bedroom; I don't want to see it.
Make sure his nails are nice and short and he washes his hands a lot.
Try not to make a big deal out in public, just hand him a tissue, and keep plenty on hand.

Maybe he has something stuck up there???

S.,
I think it's an age thing. My almost 4 year old does this too & it drives me crazy! But I've also seen quite a few kids in his preschool class with their fingers up there so I'm hoping eventually (sooner rather than later) he'll outgrow it.
T.

My first thought is that your son probably has sinus/allergy problems. I strongly suggest you buy some saline nasal sprays to clear his sinus passages and to moistion his mucus membranes. I also suggest that you give him a small package of kleenex to keep with him. I also suggest that you consult with your MD about allergies that you son probably has. There are several medications that children can take - Allerga and Zyrtec are a couple that my son has taken. You might also try over the counter claritin. Be careful with some of the other otc antihistimines, they can sedate children (and adults).

We are all allergy sufferers in my family and know this topic well!

Good luck!

I have no solution, I can only relate, My son picked his nose daily, it would bleed but he'd still pick, I swear it was a comfort like a child sucking his thumb, he was just comfortable with his finger up his nose, He picked for about a full year. But then, one day, it ended.

I never criticized him for it. I just told him "Just so you know, if you decide to pick your nose in public, some people may find it offensive so dont be surprised if someone says something". So I saw him being cautious in public but I'd still find it up there.
I would always hand him a tissue every time I'd see his finger up his nose. I just really felt it was a phase he was going through, and even though I'd never heard of other peoples kids doing it, I didnt feel my son was the only one, like there was something wrong, I felt confident he'd grow out of it. And I'm glad I never said anything (that's just me personally) because now, he doesnt even remember that he did it, so he doesnt associate him self with that, I didnt make a big deal out of it, I was more concerned about his self esteme in the long run than his nose at the time.

But then he went on to some other quirkey habit (lol), but atleast it wasnt nose picking. He's just been such a joy to watch grow and develope.

I would say if he is doing it so much, then maybe he has a problem. Could be allergies, or dry sinuses. Maybe saline and a humidifier. Keep reminding him that it is bad habit and spreads germs.

Try to see if there is a pattern of when he is picking. Like always when he is watching tv or in the car, etc. Then try to keep his hands busy at those times, like a squishy ball type things (there are several kinds), or action figures, or small cars. This will help bored fidgety hands. Next make sure there are always tissues nearby. Have boxes in every room and the car. Don't bring too much attention to the picking. Maybe at a quiet time when it's just you and him, you can let him know that it looks really bad to other people to see someone picking their nose.When he's picking, just redirect to a tissue if it's bothering him and then a hand sanitizer. Then hand him something to keep his hands busy. Sometimes a saline solution in the morning helps or a humidifier at night.

It really is an age thing.......gross, but normal! I can't really say I found anything that stopped them from picking thier noses but I would tell them to get thier fingers out of there because there wasn't any gold up there and if they weren't going to get rich then thier fingers didn't belong up there, something along that line, at first they would laugh, and over time I just stopped seeing thier fingers up there, don't worry it will stop just keep pointing it out, and eventually it will stop.