United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi!
I have posted this information before, but feel I need to post again.
This is in regards to the child biting the hand.
Growing up I had no surgeries. The only surgery I had was a tendon transfer to my fingers about 4 years ago.
The only way I can explain this is that when the normal person has an itch they can normally feel themselves scratch the itch. However because the BPI person often has many spots they are numb, the previous is not possible.
I am sure that all you parents know what it's like to have an itch on your foot while wearing shoes. You are able to remove the shoe to scratch the itch. Well imagine that those shoes were solid steel and you could not remove them. How would you feel. Probably pretty uncomfortable I bet.
For me when I get an itch on my BPI hand, I bite it. The pressure seems to put an end to the itch. Of course the pressure of biting my hand does not always work, and often I bite for a period of time. I am lucky I have never broken skin, but nonetheless I admit that I am a hand biter.
Hope this helps,
erica

I had the same problem with my daughter (LOBPI). She did it all the time when she was around 2 years old. Now she is 4 and has seemed to stop. I am so glad to hear from someone who has experienced it first hand, because i used to get so frustrated with her because I could not understand why she was doing it. I am glad now she has stop, but thank you for posting this incase she ever began to bite her hand again I will know why.
Thanks Again,
Tisha (Tabitha's Mom LOBPI)

That's a good description erica, itch under a steel coating! Mine is a bit more than an itch, more like an intense buzz (like one of those horrible handshake jokes) or like when you hit your 'funny bone', except in my hand. I whack it against the wall or hit it with the other hand, or even hit or pinch myself somewhere else. Works for me. :0)
Jen NZ