The Risks of Nose Picking: More Than Just a Bad Habit

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During childhood, many people tend to insert their fingers into their noses. Unfortunately, some carry this habit into adulthood, unaware of the health risks involved. It’s important to remember that boogers are primarily composed of mucus, which plays a crucial role in our respiratory defense system. This biological filter traps undesirable particles like dust and allergens, preventing them from entering our airways. However, picking one’s nose disrupts this protective barrier, exposing our respiratory passages to an increased risk of infections.

Staphylococcus aureus: Nasal Colonization Favored by Nose Picking

A British study published in the “Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology” journal revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, a microbe responsible for various infections, is often found in the noses of individuals who engage in nose picking. To arrive at this conclusion, researchers recruited 238 adults seeking medical consultations for ear, nose, and throat issues. They then screened for the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, establishing a link between the frequency of nose picking and an elevated presence of this microorganism. Moreover, this habit can cause injuries and abrasions inside the nose, facilitating the invasion of bacteria and microbes into the body.

Health Risks for Cognitive Function and COVID-19?

Another study published in February 2022 in the “Scientific Reports” journal raised the possibility that nose picking could allow chlamydia pneumoniae to spread to the brain, potentially affecting cognitive health. Professor James St. John, the study’s author, stated, “We are the first to demonstrate that this bacterium can pass directly through the nose and enter the brain, where it could cause conditions resembling Alzheimer’s disease. The evidence observed in mice is potentially alarming for humans as well.”

Furthermore, researchers at Griffith University in Australia found that regularly picking one’s nose was associated with an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Given that the virus responsible for this disease primarily spreads through respiratory pathways, frequent nose picking increases the chances of the virus entering the body.

It is crucial to recognize the health risks associated with nose picking and consider this habit as more than just a harmless quirk.