6 Reasons Why Picking Your Nose Is Bad And What You Can Do To Kick The Habit

It must seem like a disgusting topic to talk about, but it is as real as it gets. We all know deep down, it was super satisfying as a kid, and we always tried to get away with it. Maybe you got rid of that habit or still carry it as an adult. Anyways, this is a habit that you really need to kick out. Because if you thought it was harmless, it is absolutely not. Rewind to your childhood. No matter how much our parents slap our hands away or chastise us for it, we’ve picked our noses. We all know that feeling of getting a random booger in the middle of nowhere and having it block our nasal passages. You’re probably thinking, “What better way to remove it than just to grab it, right?” Wrong! Picking your nose is not just disgusting (for those around you) but also detrimental to your health! Yes, you heard that right! Picking your nose can cause more harm to you than good. Sure, it’ll help you get rid of boogers at the moment, but it will also have a long-term impact on your nose. So if you want to keep your nose in good shape, here’s why you shouldn’t pick your nose:

1. Nosebleeds

Well, one super annoying thing that can happen if you keep picking your nose is a nose bleed. If you are already prone to nosebleeds, then picking at your nose will worsen the condition and cause you to bleed more frequently. Digging around and scratching at your nose may cause the delicate and sensitive blood vessels located inside your nose to rupture and bleed. Hence, to avoid having to hold a kerchief under your nose over and over again, stop picking your nose!

2. Sores

If you’re a regular nose picker, then you’ve probably noticed that sometimes the skin around your nostrils might get more sensitive than usual. This is likely caused due to the development of sores in that area. If you keep picking your nose and accidentally plucking out your nose hair, you will leave the follicles exposed, and tiny boils or small pimples can develop in those follicles, causing you immense pain. That is not only extremely uncomfortable but it will cause you enough pain to hinder your daily duties.

3. Septum Damage

Now not all of us can afford to get a rhinoplasty. So if you’re someone who has an incredibly sharp and attractive-looking nose, we’ll advise you to stop picking it incessantly. Regularly picking at your nose can cause significant damage to your septum. Your septum is the delicate piece of cartilage and bone that divides your nostrils into two parts. Picking at your nose can cause soreness in the area and, in severe cases, even changes in your nostrils’ structure. You’ve probably heard of a deviated septum before, right? That is usually caused by injury to the nose that causes the septum to shift (1).

4. Nasal Cavity Damage

Picking at your nose can cause a long-term change in the physiology of your nose. People with compulsive nose-picking habits are found to experience severe inflammation and swelling of nasal tissue, and over time, this may lead to the narrowing of one’s nostril openings (2). It will not only start hindering your normal breathing but also interfere with the functions of the nose, like stopping fine dust from escaping into your body. The internal injury can also lead to serious infections that will take very long to treat.

5. Infection

Infection caused due to tiny bruises and cuts around your nasal tissue can be quite the pain. Dangerous bacteria can enter these openings and eventually cause a widespread infection. Nasal vestibulitis is an inflammation that occurs at the entrance of your nose and can trigger infections within your nasal area. It is commonly caused due to a bacteria known as Staphylococcus. This condition will cause sores around your nostril that will eventually develop into painful scabs (3).

6. Spreading Germs

Sure, maybe you aren’t the type of person who picks your nose and then leaves your booger on surfaces that are considered high touch, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t spread infections. The mucus and nasal hairs in your nose catch viruses, dust, bacteria, and dirt that you breathe in every day. If you pick your nose and then end up shaking hands with someone who is immuno-compromised, vulnerable, or sick, you run the risk of infecting them badly.

How To Stop Picking Your Nose

1. Purchase A Nasal Spray

If you feel like your nose is getting super dry quickly, then a saline spray can be a quick solution to that. Since dry air leads to dry nasal passages, spritzing your nose with a nasal spray can help restore the moisture content in your nose. You can also purchase a humidifier for your home and use it daily. A steam inhalation kit would do the same.

2. Use A Saline Rinse

Washing out your sinus cavities and nasal passages with a saline nasal wash might help clear out any boogers and ensure that your nasal passage stays moist. This is also useful if you are someone who tends to develop sinuses and allergies often. A nasal rinse will wash out allergens, pollen, and anything else that irritates your nasal passages.

3. Find An Alternative Way To Relieve Stress

If you are someone who picks your nose as a way to relieve stress, you will have to train your mind to look for alternative ways to destress. You can consider listening to music that soothes you, or you can practice breathing by inhaling deeply and counting to ten. If you need to keep your hands occupied and busy, purchase a stress ball. By distracting yourself we don’t mean biting nails or engaging in any other kind of compulsive activity.

4. Make Use Of A Memory Device

One way to trick your brain into stopping this annoying habit is to apply an adhesive bandage around the finger that you use to pick your nose. This way, whenever you feel drawn to pick your nose, the shape of the bandage will remind you not to do so. Do this for as long as it takes for you to kick this habit.

Picking a nose can feel super satisfying but it can be very harmful in the long run. Not only are you introducing new germs and contaminated particles from your fingers and nails, but you are weakening your immunity. In the middle of many contagious diseases like Covid-19, it is best to get rid of these habits as soon as possible. You need to pay attention to certain bad habits that you may be following. Sometimes, our parents’ advice against our bad habits is actually useful and not just “boomer logic.” Let us know all of your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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