The Science Behind Nose Picking & Why You Shouldn’t Do It

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Did we seriously need this article?

The answer is yes; yes, we absolutely do. This is a very important subject matter, seeing as one person has already died doing so.

In fact, we all know what happens if we dig our noses: Our noses are cleared from that sticky yellow mucus thing, wrapped instead on our finger which we then either deposit into a tissue or, for the more adventurous types, into our mouths to be processed back into the body as essential nutrients.


Don’t look at me like that, you know some of you secretly do that.

But do you have any idea why you shouldn’t pick your nose? (other than the fact that someone died)

Try not to dig your nose throughout this article. I challenge you.

Now you’re conscious about it. Heh.

1) Tearing out your skin

Professional nose pickers may enjoy constantly picking their nose every hour or so but think about it logically. If you are constantly scratching the same area multiple times throughout the day, won’t that patch of skin eventually break down?


That’s exactly what can happen to the wall of skin between your nose, otherwise known as the septum. (No, the one in Game of Thrones is called a Septa)

This breakage could cause nosebleeds and quite possibly death.

Remember that guy I said earlier died from picking his nose? Yes, a nosebleed. You don’t want to end up like him. Admittedly though, it is rather rare.

So, unless you want a nose-ring anytime soon, stave off on the picking.

2) Skip Work by Picking Your Nose

How many of you actually wash your hands with soap multiple times a day? And even so, how many of you actually spend minutes ensuring every nook and cranny is cleaned out of gunk?

That germ-filled hand is then jammed up into your poor innocent nostril, delivering a whole plethora of bacteria that aren’t supposed to be there.

And to think, Nostril-San just wants to protect you. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice.

This could lead to infections and cause your all-time favourite cold and flu, which can then escalate into a fever and cause *ahem* ‘unforeseen’ workplace disruptions.

By the way, did you know that these bacteria could potentially travel to your brain?

Turns out, there’s really only a thin piece of bone separating your nose and brain called the skull base. Infections could erode this bone and bring your brain on a very fun joyride.

I’m reaching slightly here since it’s quite rare, but I’m being serious when I say it could cause infections.

3) Nose Pimples

Look, just like the average person, I don’t like pimples. They’re just a major pain in the ass to deal with, and they hurt like someone shot you in the face with a double-barrelled shotgun when you attempt to remove them.

Fun fact, you can get pimples inside your nose. Yay.

You get these when your fingers deliver the payload of germs straight into Nostril-San and infect your hair follicles along the way. Poor Nostril-San.

One such bacteria is known as Staphylococcus aureus, and it’s personally responsible for the invasion of your nose hair follicles, causing painful nose boils that aren’t the very definition of a fun time.

Needless to say, these pimples can be quite painful and could cause infections. Which incidentally could also spread to your brain.

At least they’re not eyesores on your face though.

4) It’s Embarrassing, and Irresponsible Too

Think nose picking is a personal affair? Well, I hope you washed your hands after, cause otherwise, this shit’s about to turn into a very public event.

We all know picking your nose in front of others is unpleasant, that much is obvious.

But did you realize that those germs from your supposedly personal joyous venture could be spread onto whatever you touch?

Inversely, have you ever wondered whose boogers you’ve touched before in public?

Perhaps you could try exploring their ancestral history through the booger DNA.

So, did you dig your nose throughout the entirety of this article? If you didn’t, congratulations. Your mental fortitude is to be commended.

If you did, well then, you’re probably not alone.

Cause let’s admit it, you’re still going to do it.