Should You Pick Your Nose or Not? Science Answers

Science explains why it’s best to avoid removing boogers with your finger…

We’ve all done it. Discreetly picking our noses in our office when no one is looking or while driving our car… This natural gesture could, however, be harming our airways. Explanations.

So, should we pick our noses or not?

Even if we don’t do it in public, we are led from time to time to pick our noses, whether it is to remove embarrassing mucus or simply out of habit. It’s called rhinotillexomania, or hunting for boogers. For those who eat them, it’s called mucophagia.. Besides, children, who do not yet have any notion of social norms, have a field day, not to mention primates who also have the habit of picking their noses. However, is it good to go and rummage in one’s nostrils? Not so sure, science tells us.

Indeed, boogers are essential. They have a biological filter function. While each day we perform 22,000 respiratory cycles, we breathe, in addition to the oxygen we need, pollens as well as dust and other particles. The mucus, which gradually turns into nose boogers, helps to retain all of these pollutions which could then reach our respiratory tracts.

Trapping viruses with boogers

What seemed like a natural and habitual gesture could become a threat to our body. Indeed, the mucus produced then filters bacteria, but also viruses. Other substances such as asbestos or lead can also be captured by nasal mucus in order to protect us from them. Nose boogers are therefore the first barrier protecting us against external aggressions.

Avoiding picking your nose too often therefore helps protect yourself against infections. Similarly, If the mucus is ingested instead of being expelled, you could then be further contaminated by these bacteria and infections already retained in your mucus. So it’s better to just blow your nose rather than sniff or eat your boogers.

Finger in the nose: risks not to be overlooked

Worse still, several studies have shown that nose picking is linked to nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. This bacteria, which can be found on the skin, but also in a person’s nostrils, can sometimes cause serious infections. Additionally, nose picking is also associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, a pneumococcal infection.which causes ear infections, pneumonia or even meningitis. Picking your nose too often therefore increases the risk of absorbing germs.

Finally, it is better to avoid repeatedly putting your fingers in your nose, which could cause legions or damage the nasal walls. If you have annoying mucus in your nose, simply use a tissue, otherwise do not touch it. Of course, do not forget to wash your hands to avoid spreading other infectious viruses.

Article updated