In 2001, researchers at India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences surveyed 200 teenagers and discovered that nearly all picked their noses approximately four times daily.
This is likely because having nasal mucus can cause discomfort when breathing. However, picking your nose can be quite risky. What we often dismiss as mere dirt plays a vital role in our bodies.
Here are four reasons to resist the temptation to pick your nose.
1. Nasal Skin Tears
Boogers are formed from hardened nasal secretions. Nasal hairs and mucous membranes collect dust, which then hardens into boogers. When boogers become too hard, they can cause discomfort inside the nose. However, the skin inside the nose is fragile and sensitive.
2. Bacterial Infection
Picking your nose with your fingers can transfer bacteria from your hands into your nasal passages. If the nasal skin is already torn, bacteria can enter through these wounds and cause infections. In severe cases, this could lead to conditions like sepsis, so caution is necessary.
3. Nosebleeds
A nosebleed occurs when blood vessels inside the nose rupture and bleed. Common causes of nosebleeds include fatigue, blood vessel rupture, and high blood pressure. Repeatedly picking your nose can damage the nasal skin, making it more prone to bleeding. If you pick your nose before the wounds have healed, you may experience nosebleeds more frequently.
4. Immune System
In 2013, a research team from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada compared the immune systems of people who ate their boogers with those who did not. The study found that those who consumed their boogers experienced fewer illnesses and had higher immunity. This is because boogers contain Rugardin, which has antibacterial properties. Rugardin acts as a powerful disinfectant. While consuming boogers might provide this benefit, a more hygienic alternative is to use tissues or cotton swabs to manage nasal mucus if discomfort from boogers is unbearable.
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