32:
211:, located in the nose, provides a direct and relatively short route to the brain. Importantly, this route bypasses the protective barrier known as the blood-brain barrier. It seems that viruses and bacteria have identified this pathway as an easy way to gain access to the brain. Therefore, it is according to Professor St John, a co-author of the study, advisable to avoid nose picking or plucking nasal hairs to maintain the integrity of the nasal passage and lower the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease. However, there is still scarce evidence in favour of this claim, and most experts say it is too soon to link.
198:) is capable of traveling through the olfactory nerve in the nose and entering the brain of mice. The intrusion of the bacteria is enhanced by nose picking. Once inside the brain, this bacterium triggers the production of certain markers that are indicative of Alzheimer's disease. Their study demonstrates that Chlamydia pneumoniae exploits the nerve pathway that extends from the
218:, advocates using fingers to pick nasal mucus and then ingesting it, stating that people who do so get "a natural boost to their immune system". The mucus contains a "cocktail of antiseptic enzymes that kill or weaken many of the bacteria that become entangled in it", so reintroducing the "crippled" microorganisms "may afford the immune system an opportunity to produce
85:
defined nose picking as "the insertion of a finger (or other object) into the nose with the intention of removing dried nasal secretions". Of those who responded, 91% said they were current nose pickers (but only 75% of these believed everyone did it), and two respondents claimed to spend between 15 and 30 minutes and between one and two hours a day picking their noses.
151:
The environment of the nose and the dried secretions removed contain many micro-organisms. When a person is contagious with a cold, flu or other virus, it is important that hands or other objects used to remove mucus are washed promptly because there is risk of introducing micro-organisms to other
103:
that also line the cavity work to move the mucus toward the throat, where it can be swallowed. However, not all the mucus stays fluid enough to be moved by the cilia. The closer the mucus is to the nostril opening, the more moisture it loses to the outside air, and the more likely it is to dry out
84:
Nose picking is an extremely widespread habit: some surveys indicate that it is almost universal, with people picking their nose on average about four times a day. A 1995 study of nose picking, requesting information from 1,000 randomly selected adults from
Wisconsin USA gathered 254 responses. It
206:
as a means to invade the central nervous system. In response to this invasion, brain cells deposit a protein called amyloid beta, which is a characteristic feature of
Alzheimer's disease. Activities like picking one's nose or plucking nasal hairs can damage the nasal lining, making it easier for
326:
872:
Chacko, Anu; Delbaz, Ali; Walkden, Heidi; Basu, Souptik; Armitage, Charles W.; Eindorf, Tanja; Trim, Logan K.; Miller, Edith; West, Nicholas P.; St John, James A.; Beagley, Kenneth W.; Ekberg, Jenny A. K. (2022-02-17).
76:). In Western cultures, this act is generally considered to be socially deviant; parents and pediatricians have historically tried to prevent development of the habit and attempt to break it if already established.
222:
in relative safety". However, other scientists argue that, "because boogers are made from the same ingredients as the mucus we swallow every day, ... eating boogers doesn’t matter much to your immune system".
578:
Fontenelle, L.F.; M.V. Mendlowicz; T.C. Mussi; C. Marques; M. Versiani (December 2002). "The man with the purple nostrils: a case of rhinotrichotillomania secondary to body dysmorphic disorder".
715:
Wertheim, Heiman F. L.; van Kleef, Menno; Vos, Margreet C.; Ott, Alewijn; Verbrugh, Henri A.; Fokkens, Wytske (August 2006). "Nose picking and nasal carriage of
Staphylococcus aureus".
230:. The same study found no correlation between COVID infection and nail-biting, or with wearing spectacles or having a beard, which could interfere with fit of protective equipment. The
108:
by picking. Other reasons to remove excess dried mucus include impaired breathing through the nose and a concern that it may be visible to others in the nostril openings.
135:
it is known as rhinotillexomania. Most cases do not meet this pathological threshold. When it does, however, treatments similar to other BFRBs can be employed, such as
140:
625:
1193:
1064:
875:"Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the central nervous system via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and contributes to Alzheimer's disease risk"
226:
A study in the
Netherlands published in 2023 found that healthcare workers who picked their nose were about three times more likely to contract
31:
826:
1198:
1125:
310:
175:(nosebleed). Infections or perforation of the nasal septum are uncommon, but can occur. Nose picking, however, should not affect the
155:
Picking one's nose with dirty fingers or fingernails may increase risks of infection that may include an increase in the diversity of
132:
1013:
483:
214:
Some scientists claim that mucophagy provides benefits for the human body. Friedrich
Bischinger, an Austrian doctor specializing in
128:
111:
In some cultures, nose picking is considered a private act akin to defecation, urination, flatulence, burping, or masturbation.
104:
and become stuck. Once dried, the mucus typically causes a sensation of irritation that leads to the compulsion to dislodge the
962:
580:
988:
1143:
697:
758:
Caruso, Ronald D.; Richard G. Sherry; Arthur E. Rosenbaum; Stephen E. Joy; Ja Kwei Chang; Douglas M. Sanford (1997).
622:
1104:
805:
Blum, Nathan J. (2009-01-01), Carey, William B.; Crocker, Allen C.; Coleman, William L.; Elias, Ellen Roy (eds.),
938:
400:
Andrade, Chittaranjan; B.S. Srihari (2001). "A preliminary survey of rhinotillexomania in an adolescent sample".
434:
136:
191:
1038:
806:
539:
512:
Jefferson, James W.; Trevor D.B. Thompson (1995). "Rhinotillexomania: psychiatric disorder or habit?".
886:
294:"A Booger A Day Keeps The Doctor Away: A Medical Doctor Describes the Health Benefits of Nose-Mining"
195:
1148:
231:
1203:
740:
605:
847:
623:
AAMFT Consumer Update – Hair
Pulling, Skin Picking and Biting: Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders
302:
1109:
920:
902:
822:
781:
732:
597:
521:
489:
479:
417:
382:
364:
306:
259:
44:
475:
459:
910:
894:
814:
771:
724:
589:
409:
372:
254:
156:
629:
243:
208:
184:
88:
890:
1168:
915:
874:
818:
776:
645:
377:
352:
293:
152:
parts of the body or other people since it is a norm to shake hands in many societies.
1187:
1094:
593:
467:
455:
430:
190:
Researchers at
Griffith University have discovered a connection between bacteria and
168:
744:
652:
609:
439:
264:
249:
199:
180:
164:
116:
92:
69:
676:
1100:
471:
898:
759:
49:
906:
368:
641:
562:
493:
176:
172:
160:
112:
53:
1065:"Nose-picking healthcare workers more likely to catch Covid, data suggests"
924:
736:
601:
421:
386:
785:
525:
1085:
413:
227:
219:
96:
119:, may be considered more taboo, and is sometimes portrayed in comedies.
171:. In children, the most common complication related to nose picking is
1169:"Nose-picking in the Pongidae and Its Implication for Human Evolution"
1164:
566:
100:
963:"Don't worry – Picking your nose doesn't cause Alzheimer's disease"
728:
684:
203:
64:
is the act of extracting Mucus and nasal mucus with one's finger (
1089:
215:
105:
99:
from the air flowing through the cavity. For the most part, the
989:"Does picking your nose really increase your risk of dementia?"
848:"Nose Picking Could Increase Risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia"
299:
Alien Hand
Syndrome: And Other Too-Weird-Not-To-Be-True Stories
163:. One case of rhinotillexomania resulted in perforation of the
701:
667:"out" (or according to an alternative analysis, from Neolatin
234:, finding a correlation without identifying a detailed cause.
1179:
The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused
Repetitive Behaviors
632:, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
464:
The Ig Nobel prizes: the annals of improbable research
194:. They have found evidence that a specific bacterium (
95:
constantly produce a wet mucus that removes dust and
1178:
987:
Taylor, Joyce Siette and Mark
Patrick (2024-01-27).
811:
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (Fourth Edition)
760:"Self-induced ethmoidectomy from rhinotillexomania"
43:
24:
292:
813:, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 629–641,
1126:"Nose Picking: The interesting and funny habit"
1014:"Like to become a stranger to illness? Read on"
507:
505:
159:(and thus infection or illness), or occasional
939:"Nose picking and dementia? Too soon to link"
8:
807:"Chapter 65 - REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS AND TICS"
943:Nose picking and dementia? Too soon to link
717:Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
698:"The ancient story of the modern handshake"
357:Journal of the National Medical Association
30:
21:
914:
775:
376:
286:
284:
282:
280:
276:
1086:BBC home: The Truth About Nose-picking
1039:"How harmful is it to pick your nose?"
435:"Why teenagers get right up your nose"
1105:"Can you die from picking your nose?"
187:are located is too high up to reach.
7:
819:10.1016/b978-1-4160-3370-7.00065-1
764:American Journal of Neuroradiology
540:"Snot My Fault | Psychology Today"
514:The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
402:The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
327:"7.1C: Deviance and Social Stigma"
246:(wiping of the nose with the hand)
14:
1173:American Journal of Nasal Anatomy
671:, "habit of picking", from Greek
351:Seltzer, A. P. (September 1963).
207:bacteria to reach the brain. The
68:) and may include the subsequent
1194:Body-focused repetitive behavior
1144:"Man dies from picking his nose"
594:10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01463.x
129:body-focused repetitive behavior
70:ingestion of the extracted mucus
1063:Davis, Nicola (2 August 2023).
301:. Workman Publishing. pp.
1012:Lane, Carin (March 23, 2012).
581:Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
1:
460:"Nose Picking in Adolescents"
133:obsessive–compulsive disorder
588:(6): 464–6, discussion 466.
127:When nose picking becomes a
1199:Habit and impulse disorders
1220:
1124:Ilori, Kemi (2007-06-19).
899:10.1038/s41598-022-06749-9
147:Medical risks and benefits
117:eating the extracted mucus
1095:Toddlers and Nose Picking
993:PsyPost - Psychology News
38:
29:
544:www.psychologytoday.com
232:study was observational
137:habit reversal training
39:A girl picking her nose
1171:, said to be from the
291:Bellows, Alan (2009).
1043:wexnermedical.osu.edu
659:, "nose") + τίλλειν (
443:. Improbable research
331:Social Sci LibreTexts
414:10.4088/JCP.v62n0605
196:Chlamydia pneumoniae
1149:The Daily Telegraph
891:2022NatSR..12.2759C
192:Alzheimer's disease
879:Scientific Reports
628:2009-04-25 at the
1163:For an elaborate
1110:The Straight Dope
1045:. 30 October 2017
852:Neuroscience News
828:978-1-4160-3370-7
260:Neti (Hatha Yoga)
167:and self-induced
123:Rhinotillexomania
59:
58:
19:Medical condition
1211:
1160:
1158:
1157:
1139:
1137:
1136:
1120:
1118:
1117:
1073:
1072:
1060:
1054:
1053:
1051:
1050:
1035:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1024:
1009:
1003:
1002:
1000:
999:
984:
978:
977:
975:
974:
959:
953:
952:
950:
949:
935:
929:
928:
918:
869:
863:
862:
860:
859:
844:
838:
837:
836:
835:
802:
796:
795:
793:
792:
779:
755:
749:
748:
712:
706:
705:
694:
688:
639:
633:
620:
614:
613:
575:
569:
560:
554:
553:
551:
550:
536:
530:
529:
509:
500:
497:
451:
449:
448:
425:
397:
391:
390:
380:
348:
342:
341:
339:
338:
323:
317:
316:
296:
288:
255:Nasal irrigation
185:olfactory nerves
89:Mucous membranes
34:
22:
1219:
1218:
1214:
1213:
1212:
1210:
1209:
1208:
1184:
1183:
1155:
1153:
1142:
1134:
1132:
1123:
1115:
1113:
1099:
1082:
1077:
1076:
1062:
1061:
1057:
1048:
1046:
1037:
1036:
1032:
1022:
1020:
1011:
1010:
1006:
997:
995:
986:
985:
981:
972:
970:
961:
960:
956:
947:
945:
937:
936:
932:
871:
870:
866:
857:
855:
846:
845:
841:
833:
831:
829:
804:
803:
799:
790:
788:
770:(10): 1949–50.
757:
756:
752:
714:
713:
709:
696:
695:
691:
663:, "to pull") +
640:
636:
630:Wayback Machine
621:
617:
577:
576:
572:
561:
557:
548:
546:
538:
537:
533:
511:
510:
503:
486:
454:
446:
444:
429:
399:
398:
394:
350:
349:
345:
336:
334:
325:
324:
320:
313:
290:
289:
278:
273:
244:Allergic salute
240:
209:olfactory nerve
149:
125:
82:
20:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1217:
1215:
1207:
1206:
1201:
1196:
1186:
1185:
1182:
1181:
1176:
1161:
1140:
1121:
1103:(1982-08-20).
1097:
1092:
1081:
1080:External links
1078:
1075:
1074:
1055:
1030:
1004:
979:
954:
930:
864:
839:
827:
797:
750:
729:10.1086/506401
707:
689:
634:
615:
570:
563:Medical papers
555:
531:
501:
499:
498:
484:
456:Abrahams, Marc
452:
433:(2008-08-19).
431:Abrahams, Marc
392:
363:(5): 451–452.
353:"NOSE PICKING"
343:
318:
312:978-0761152255
311:
275:
274:
272:
269:
268:
267:
262:
257:
252:
247:
239:
236:
177:sense of smell
148:
145:
124:
121:
81:
78:
57:
56:
47:
41:
40:
36:
35:
27:
26:
18:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1216:
1205:
1202:
1200:
1197:
1195:
1192:
1191:
1189:
1180:
1177:
1174:
1170:
1166:
1162:
1151:
1150:
1145:
1141:
1131:
1130:The Daily Sun
1127:
1122:
1112:
1111:
1106:
1102:
1098:
1096:
1093:
1091:
1087:
1084:
1083:
1079:
1070:
1066:
1059:
1056:
1044:
1040:
1034:
1031:
1019:
1015:
1008:
1005:
994:
990:
983:
980:
968:
964:
958:
955:
944:
940:
934:
931:
926:
922:
917:
912:
908:
904:
900:
896:
892:
888:
884:
880:
876:
868:
865:
853:
849:
843:
840:
830:
824:
820:
816:
812:
808:
801:
798:
787:
783:
778:
773:
769:
765:
761:
754:
751:
746:
742:
738:
734:
730:
726:
722:
718:
711:
708:
703:
699:
693:
690:
686:
683:, "habit") +
682:
678:
674:
670:
666:
662:
658:
654:
650:
647:
643:
638:
635:
631:
627:
624:
619:
616:
611:
607:
603:
599:
595:
591:
587:
583:
582:
574:
571:
568:
564:
559:
556:
545:
541:
535:
532:
527:
523:
519:
515:
508:
506:
502:
495:
491:
487:
485:0-525-94753-1
481:
477:
473:
469:
468:New York City
465:
461:
457:
453:
442:
441:
436:
432:
428:
427:
426:Reviewed in:
423:
419:
415:
411:
408:(6): 426–31.
407:
403:
396:
393:
388:
384:
379:
374:
370:
366:
362:
358:
354:
347:
344:
332:
328:
322:
319:
314:
308:
304:
300:
295:
287:
285:
283:
281:
277:
270:
266:
263:
261:
258:
256:
253:
251:
248:
245:
242:
241:
237:
235:
233:
229:
224:
221:
217:
212:
210:
205:
201:
197:
193:
188:
186:
182:
178:
174:
170:
169:ethmoidectomy
166:
162:
158:
153:
146:
144:
142:
138:
134:
130:
122:
120:
118:
114:
109:
107:
102:
98:
94:
90:
86:
79:
77:
75:
71:
67:
66:rhinotillexis
63:
55:
51:
48:
46:
42:
37:
33:
28:
23:
1172:
1154:. Retrieved
1152:. 2008-12-05
1147:
1133:. Retrieved
1129:
1114:. Retrieved
1108:
1101:Adams, Cecil
1069:The Guardian
1068:
1058:
1047:. Retrieved
1042:
1033:
1021:. Retrieved
1017:
1007:
996:. Retrieved
992:
982:
971:. Retrieved
969:. 2022-11-03
966:
957:
946:. Retrieved
942:
933:
882:
878:
867:
856:. Retrieved
854:. 2022-10-28
851:
842:
832:, retrieved
810:
800:
789:. Retrieved
767:
763:
753:
723:(8): 863–7.
720:
716:
710:
692:
680:
672:
668:
664:
660:
656:
648:
637:
618:
585:
579:
573:
558:
547:. Retrieved
543:
534:
517:
513:
463:
445:. Retrieved
440:The Guardian
438:
405:
401:
395:
360:
356:
346:
335:. Retrieved
333:. 2018-07-30
330:
321:
298:
265:Nose-blowing
250:Eating mucus
225:
213:
200:nasal cavity
189:
181:nasal cavity
165:nasal septum
154:
150:
126:
110:
93:nasal cavity
87:
83:
73:
65:
62:Nose picking
61:
60:
25:Nose-picking
1018:Times Union
885:(1): 2759.
520:(2): 56–9.
474:. pp.
472:E.P. Dutton
115:, which is
16:Human habit
1188:Categories
1156:2008-12-18
1135:2008-12-18
1116:2018-01-31
1049:2022-08-12
998:2024-03-21
973:2023-12-15
948:2023-12-15
858:2023-07-09
834:2022-08-12
791:2018-01-31
549:2022-08-12
447:2008-12-07
337:2022-08-12
271:References
220:antibodies
183:where the
161:nosebleeds
157:nose flora
141:decoupling
80:Prevalence
50:Psychiatry
1204:Rhinology
1023:22 August
967:New Atlas
907:2045-2322
642:Etymology
369:0027-9684
179:, as the
173:epistaxis
113:Mucophagy
97:pathogens
74:mucophagy
54:rhinology
45:Specialty
1175:, (1987)
925:35177758
745:45790701
737:16874648
669:tillexis
626:Archived
610:31444068
602:12392491
494:52092050
458:(2003).
422:11465519
387:14049564
238:See also
228:COVID-19
916:8854390
887:Bibcode
786:9403460
777:8337379
704:. 2019.
673:tillein
661:tillein
644:: from
526:7852253
378:2642359
202:to the
91:in the
1167:, see
923:
913:
905:
825:
784:
774:
743:
735:
651:(from
608:
600:
567:PubMed
524:
492:
482:
420:
385:
375:
367:
309:
1165:spoof
741:S2CID
685:mania
649:rhino
646:Greek
606:S2CID
476:19–22
305:–30.
216:lungs
204:brain
101:cilia
1090:h2g2
1025:2012
921:PMID
903:ISSN
823:ISBN
782:PMID
733:PMID
681:éksi
675:and
657:rhis
598:PMID
522:PMID
490:OCLC
480:ISBN
418:PMID
383:PMID
365:ISSN
307:ISBN
139:and
106:itch
1088:at
911:PMC
895:doi
815:doi
772:PMC
725:doi
702:BBC
677:έξη
665:exo
653:ῥίς
590:doi
586:106
565:at
410:doi
373:PMC
131:or
1190::
1146:.
1128:.
1107:.
1067:.
1041:.
1016:.
991:.
965:.
941:.
919:.
909:.
901:.
893:.
883:12
881:.
877:.
850:.
821:,
809:,
780:.
768:18
766:.
762:.
739:.
731:.
721:27
719:.
700:.
679:,
655:,
604:.
596:.
584:.
542:.
518:56
516:.
504:^
488:.
478:.
470::
466:.
462:.
437:.
416:.
406:62
404:.
381:.
371:.
361:55
359:.
355:.
329:.
303:28
297:.
279:^
143:.
52:,
1159:.
1138:.
1119:.
1071:.
1052:.
1027:.
1001:.
976:.
951:.
927:.
897::
889::
861:.
817::
794:.
747:.
727::
687:.
612:.
592::
552:.
528:.
496:.
450:.
424:.
412::
389:.
340:.
315:.
72:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
