All of us have bad habits. Some of us step foot inside fast food joints a lot of times while others spend too much time in front of the TV. Some of us drink lots of alcohol while others bake under the sweltering sun for a really long time. Then there are those that habitually pick their noses whether in private or in public.
Guilty? Continue reading!
Experts say that nose picking is not only gross, but may also put your health in some form of danger. This is especially true if you are also into another bad habit which is nail biting, something that can leave the edges of your fingernails jagged. No, the health implication of nose picking is not related to booger eating, which some people actually do!
(Proponents of booger eating claim that it can actually strengthen the immune system — but that’s another story!)
Going back to nose picking…
What makes it potentially dangerous is the fact that there are microbes residing on our skin. Although it is normal for these invisible creatures to be present on our bodies, there are instances wherein they can put your health at risk. This is especially true if they multiply uncontrollably, and they get inside your body through a crack on the skin.
A particular type of these microbes thriving on your skin is staphylococcus aureus, which is something that can cause an assortment of infectious diseases. If the name rings a bell, it’s because a certain type of the said microbe just recently made the headlines, in particular in the form of the superbug methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.
Cellulitis, boils, impetigo and food poisoning — these and a few more others are some problems that may also stem from staphylococcus aureus infection.
This does not say that you can get these diseases through nose picking. What it does indicate, however, is the fact that the kind of bacteria you may be introducing into your body when you pick your nose is quite powerful.
Picking your nose, especially when your fingernails are long or their edges are jagged because of nail biting, may not only permit microbes to get inside your body, but also cause them to multiply. When a little blood comes out from the tiny cracks inside your nose, bacteria present hold a party — they love blood! Staphylococcus aureus feasts on your blood and multiply, and this considerably increases your risk of an infection.
Quitting nose picking is the best way to avoid any threat to your health which may stem from that nasty habit. Here are some tips and tricks to putting an end to nose picking:
- Identify the times you have the compulsion to pick your nose. Is it during commercial breaks while watching your favorite TV series? Is it while waiting for the bus to arrive? Is it when you feel stressed out? Each time a trigger is enticing you to put a finger up your nose, distract yourself.
- Wrap the tip of the finger you use for nose picking with an adhesive bandage. With the nail out of the scene, you will find picking your nose unproductive. Keep placing an adhesive bandage on the finger that serves as an accessory to the crime until such time when you feel that the compulsion to pick your nose is gone.
- Always keep your nose clean. It’s natural to have the urge to pick your nose if you feel that it’s dirty. You can dodge the feeling by cleaning your nose with tissue in the morning or whenever necessary. With those boogers out of the way, you will find that there is no need to pick your nose.
Do you have any smart tip on putting an end to nose picking? Don’t be shy — share it below!
