Nose Picking: Why People Do It And How To Stop - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about nose picking

Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Danielle Dresden on June 15, 2020

Why people do it
Does it cause damage?
How to stop
In children
Summary

Nose picking is a common but often condemned practice. To help a person stop picking their nose, mindfulness meditation or habit reversal training might be beneficial.

In fact, in an older study from 1995, 91% of the participants reported that they picked their nose, and 75% said “almost everyone does it.”

However, not everyone picks their nose for the same reasons. Although some people pick their nose to remove irritating boogers, others may pick their nose out of habit or compulsion.

This article outlines the various causes of nose picking and its associated risks. It also provides tips that could help adults and children stop picking their nose.

Why do people pick their nose?

A child is seen picking her nose while looking out a window. — Both children and adults may pick their nose for various reasons.

People pick their nose for a variety of reasons. The sections below will outline some of these potential reasons.

Boogers

One of the most common reasons that people pick their nose is to remove boogers. The term booger describes the dried nasal mucus that collects around pollen, dust, and other debris inside the nostrils.

Boogers can block the nasal passages, and this may feel uncomfortable or irritating. It may also affect a person’s breathing. As a result, people may use their fingers to pick out the boogers and clear the nasal passages.

Nasal conditions

Conditions such as allergies and upper respiratory infections (URIs) can increase levels of nasal mucus, thereby increasing the formation of boogers.

Nasal structure

Structural irregularities within the nose can cause problems that increase the likelihood of nose picking.

The septum is a line of bone, cartilage, and mucous membrane that divides the nose into two nasal passageways. These two passageways are typically the same size.

However, some people have a deviated septum. This means that their septum does not run down the center of their nose. This condition may be present from birth or occur as a result of injury to the nose.

A deviated septum may lead to various issues, such as:

increased nose picking
breathing difficulties
sinus problems

Compulsion

For some people, nose picking is a nervous habit. For others, it becomes a compulsive behavior.

The medical term for compulsive nose picking is rhinotillexomania. It is a type of body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). The term BFRB refers to a group of obsessive self-grooming behaviors that can cause unintentional damage to the person’s body.

Other types of BFRB include:

hair pulling
nail biting
skin picking

People who are prone to BFRBs are more likely to perform these behaviors when they are feeling stressed or anxious.

Does nose picking cause damage?

Although nose picking is generally harmless, there are some risks involved. The primary problems associated with nose picking are:

introducing viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants into the nose
spreading bacteria and viruses from the nose onto surfaces in the environment
damaging the tissues and structures inside the nose
triggering nosebleeds

How to stop picking the nose

For a person to stop picking their nose, they may first need to identify the cause of their picking habits.

Below are some tips that may help a person stop picking their nose.

Increasing moisture in the nasal passages

Dry nasal passages can lead to more boogers and an increased urge to pick the nose. Therefore, keeping the nasal passages moist can help prevent nose picking.

A person can keep their nasal passages moist by:

drinking plenty of fluids
using a saline nasal spray to lubricate the nasal passages
applying a small amount of coconut oil to the insides of the nostrils
flushing the nasal passages with clean, warm water, using either a bulb syringe or a neti pot
using an indoor humidifier to add moisture to the air

Treating nasal conditions

Conditions such as allergies and URIs can increase nasal mucus and boogers. Treating these conditions will help reduce any urges to pick the nose.

Some potential treatment options for allergies include:

oral antihistamine medications, such as loratadine or cetirizine hydrochloride
steroid nasal sprays
decongestants, such as oxymetazoline or phenylephrine

Some home remedies that may help alleviate nasal symptoms of a URI include:

drinking plenty of water to loosen the mucus
increasing indoor humidity
applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the insides of the nostrils

Treating compulsive nose picking

The following treatment approaches may be helpful for people whose nose picking is a nervous or compulsive habit:

mindfulness meditation, which can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can promote compulsive behaviors
habit reversal training, which helps people become aware of and interrupt their habitual behaviors
cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people identify negative thinking and behavior patterns and develop more adaptive responses

What to do about nose picking in children

Like adults, children may pick their nose to remove uncomfortable or irritating boogers. They may also pick their nose out of boredom or as a way of exploring their bodies.

Young children also may not have internalized society’s disapproval of nose picking.

It is not necessary to make a child feel ashamed or bad about themselves for picking their nose. However, the following tips can help discourage a child from nose picking:

Provide gentle yet firm reminders that it is not OK for a person to pick their nose in public.
Encourage children to blow their nose into a tissue, instead of picking the nose.
Tell children to wash their hands after seeing them pick their nose.
Use methods to keep the child’s nasal passages moist.

Summary

Nose picking is a common practice that has many potential causes. In most cases, people pick their nose to remove uncomfortable or irritating boogers. In some cases, however, nose picking may be a compulsive behavior.

Nose picking is associated with health risks such as spreading bacteria and viruses. It can also trigger nosebleeds and may cause damage to the delicate tissues inside the nose.

For a person to stop picking their nose, they may first need to identify the cause of their picking. If they pick their nose to remove boogers, they should take steps to prevent the boogers from forming.

People who pick their nose compulsively may wish to try therapy to help them manage the behavior.

Ear, Nose, and Throat
Psychology / Psychiatry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Danielle Dresden on June 15, 2020

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