What happens if you play with your nose too much? Exploring the hidden health risks

According to a 1995 study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, over 90% of adults admit to picking their nose. Yet, many are unaware of the serious risks. What happens if you play with your nose too much? This guide explores the potential health consequences.

Quick Summary

Habitual or compulsive nasal manipulation can lead to infections by introducing germs into the nasal cavity and causing trauma to delicate tissues, which can result in nosebleeds, sores, and other complications.

Key Points

• Infection Risk: Frequent nose-picking can introduce dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus into the nasal cavity, potentially leading to infections.

• Nasal Damage: The delicate nasal lining can be scratched or torn, causing nosebleeds, sores, and in severe cases, damage to the nasal septum.

• Compulsive Behavior: For some, nose-picking is a compulsive habit known as rhinotillexomania, which may be linked to stress or anxiety.

• Spreading Illnesses: The habit can spread germs from your hands to your nose and from your nose to others, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses.

• Preventative Measures: Keeping nasal passages moist with saline spray and occupying hands with fidget toys can help curb the habit.

• Identify Triggers: Understanding what prompts the behavior, such as boredom or anxiety, is a crucial first step in breaking the habit.

The Immediate Dangers of Habitual Nose-Picking

When you frequently insert your finger into your nose, you transfer bacteria and viruses from your hands directly to a mucous membrane—a highly effective entry point for pathogens. The risks are not just theoretical; studies have linked nose-picking to increased rates of bacterial carriage and subsequent infections.

Introducing Harmful Pathogens

Your fingers are a hub of microorganisms. By picking your nose, you can introduce pathogens that can cause a variety of infections.

• Staph Infections: One of the most documented risks is colonization with Staphylococcus aureus. A 2006 study in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found a significant correlation between self-reported nose-picking frequency and the presence of S. aureus in the nasal passages.
• Pneumonia: Research has also shown that nose-picking and rubbing can spread Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium responsible for a substantial number of pneumonia cases.
• Viral Spread: Viruses like the common cold and influenza, and even more recent concerns like COVID-19, can enter the body through the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, a process that is often facilitated by touching your face with contaminated hands.

Trauma to Delicate Nasal Tissues

The lining of your nasal cavity, known as the mucosa, is thin and sensitive. Repeated or aggressive picking can cause physical damage.

• Nosebleeds (Epistaxis): This is one of the most common and immediate consequences. Damaging the tiny, delicate blood vessels just inside the nose can easily trigger bleeding.
• Sores and Scabbing: When the nasal lining is scratched, a scab forms. This scab can feel irritating, tempting you to pick it again, which creates a vicious cycle of re-injury and delayed healing. This process can lead to a localized infection called nasal vestibulitis, characterized by inflammation, soreness, and crusting at the opening of the nose.
• Folliculitis: Plucking nose hairs, which can happen accidentally during picking, can lead to painful, pimple-like infections in the hair follicles.

The Long-Term Consequences

While most nose-picking incidents are minor, long-term or compulsive habits can lead to more serious issues.

Damage to the Nasal Septum

The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nostrils. Chronic, aggressive nose-picking can cause a perforation, or a hole, to form in the nasal septum. This condition can lead to:

• Whistling noises when breathing.
• Persistent scabbing or crusting.
• Increased risk of further infections.
• In some cases, a change in the shape of the nose.

Potential for Deeper Infections

In rare but serious instances, infections from the nose can spread. The “danger triangle” of the face—the area including the nose and corners of the mouth—contains blood vessels that drain to the cavernous sinus in the brain. While extremely rare, an infection here can lead to a cavernous sinus thrombosis, a life-threatening condition involving a blood clot in this sinus. A case report detailed a patient with a history of chronic nose-picking who developed recurrent severe infections, including meningitis, believed to have originated from the nasal passages.

Addressing the Underlying Cause

If nose-picking becomes a frequent or compulsive habit, it can be a sign of an underlying issue. The term for compulsive nose-picking is rhinotillexomania.

• Boredom and Nervousness: Many people pick their nose out of boredom, nervousness, or as a subconscious habit.
• Dryness: A dry nasal environment can lead to more crusting and irritation, increasing the urge to pick. This is especially common in dry climates or during winter.
• Allergies and Sinus Conditions: Allergic rhinitis or sinus infections can increase mucus production and irritation, driving the habit.

How to Break the Habit

Breaking a long-standing habit requires awareness and a consistent strategy.

1. Increase Awareness: The first step is to recognize when you're doing it. For many, it's a subconscious action. Pay attention to triggers, such as stress, boredom, or dry conditions.
2. Keep Hands Busy: When you feel the urge, occupy your hands with a fidget toy, squeeze a stress ball, or doodle. This provides a safe outlet for the nervous energy.
3. Use Saline Spray: If dryness is the culprit, a simple saline nasal spray can help moisturize the nasal passages, reducing irritation and the formation of hard, crusty mucus.
4. Practice Proper Hygiene: Use a tissue to gently blow your nose instead of picking. For particularly stubborn debris, a saline nasal rinse can be more effective and hygienic.
5. Seek Professional Help: If the habit is compulsive and you struggle to stop, it may be a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). A mental health professional or a doctor can help address the underlying psychological factors.

Comparison: Habitual Picking vs. Proper Nasal Hygiene

Feature	Habitual Nose-Picking	Proper Nasal Hygiene
Method	Fingers inserted into the nasal cavity.	Using a tissue to blow your nose or a saline rinse.
Germ Exposure	High. Introduces bacteria and viruses from hands.	Minimal. Uses clean tissue or sterile saline solution.
Risk of Infection	High. Can lead to staph infections, folliculitis, and spread respiratory pathogens.	Low. Minimizes germ transfer.
Risk of Trauma	High. Causes small cuts, nosebleeds, and potentially septum damage.	Low. Gentle approach prevents damage to the delicate lining.
Effect on Mucus	Worsens dryness and creates a cycle of scabbing and re-injury.	Loosens and flushes out dried mucus, promoting healing.

Conclusion

While nose-picking might seem like a harmless, private habit, it carries legitimate health risks. From introducing infection-causing bacteria to causing physical damage like nosebleeds and, in rare cases, a perforated septum, the consequences are significant. By understanding the potential dangers and adopting healthier nasal hygiene practices, you can protect your health and break the cycle. Focus on alternatives like using saline sprays and keeping hands occupied. If the habit is compulsive, remember that it's a recognized condition, and professional support is available.

For more information on nasal health and respiratory conditions, visit the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can nose picking cause serious infections or brain damage?

While extremely rare, infections introduced through the nose have, in a few documented cases, been linked to severe complications. In most instances, the risk is much lower but still present, so it's wise to avoid the habit.

How can I stop playing with my nose too much?

To stop, try to increase your awareness of the habit, keep your hands busy with an alternative object, use a saline nasal spray to prevent dryness, and use a tissue to blow your nose instead of picking.

What is the medical term for nose picking?

The medical term for compulsive nose picking is rhinotillexomania, a form of body-focused repetitive behavior.

What are the first signs of nasal damage from nose picking?

Early signs can include frequent nosebleeds, sores, persistent scabbing, inflammation or irritation at the nasal opening, and soreness in the area.

Is eating boogers bad for you?

Although some anecdotal theories exist, the practice is unhygienic and reintroduces collected pathogens into the body, which can increase the risk of illness. It's best to avoid it.

Can a child cause permanent damage to their nose by picking?

Yes, a child's nasal passages are just as vulnerable, and excessive picking can cause nosebleeds, infection, and potentially long-term damage, though this is rare.

Is it a sign of anxiety to play with your nose too much?

For some, particularly those who engage in compulsive picking (rhinotillexomania), it can be a body-focused repetitive behavior linked to stress or anxiety. Observing your triggers can help you determine the cause.