Picking your nostrils is a seemingly harmless Xi, but it can actually have a negative impact on your health. When you pick your nostrils, you risk damaging the mucous membranes in your nostrils and nasal cavity, leading to infection and inflammation.
This is especially true in public places or when using unclean nose-picking tools. These viruses and bacteria can spread through your hands or other contact areas into your nose and mouth, causing colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.
Frequent nose picking, while seemingly harmless, can have a negative impact on your health. To stay healthy, we should try to avoid this Xi and take appropriate measures to clean the nasal passages and relieve discomfort.
In the medical field, this somewhat obsessive-compulsive behavior has a name, it is called rhinotillexomania, a word that gives people a mixed feeling, as its name suggests. Although the word "rhino" may associate some people with good English with rhinos, it actually has nothing to do with rhinos. This compound word should be translated as:Compulsive nose-picking syndrome, the name accurately and vividly depicts this behavior. The term was first coined by two neurology professors, James WJefferson and Trevor DThompson's article**. Their main topic of discussion was whether the act of picking nose was just a Xi or a mental illness. In the questionnaire they designed, 91% of people said they had a Xi of picking their noses, and 12% said the frequency of nose picking was quite high. They speculate that this so-called "act of cleaning" may have brought psychological satisfaction to the nostril-pickers. 
Later, Indian PhDs in neuroscience, Chittarajanjan Andrade and Srihari continued this research. They found that filth in the nostrils can cause irritation to the nasal mucosa, make it itchy and affect nostril ventilation. These sensations are transmitted to the brain, causing people to unconsciously gouge their nostrils. And this action makes the human psyche get a certain feeling that the need is satisfied, thus motivating the frequent occurrence of this behavior.
The two Indian scholars investigated more closely, and they also found something interesting: there are more people in the group of children and teenagers who like to pick their nostrils. Some people's nose picking behavior is quite peculiar, some like to use pliers, some like to use pencils, some like to pluck the nose hair to the end, and some people even like to pick their nose so much that they dig through the nasal septum. These findings not only reveal the prevalence of nostril picking behavior, but also remind us of the potential harm that this Xi can bring.
Least injured: Picking the nostrils affects the external image
If a person often picks his nose in public, no matter how good-looking he is, it will make people think that he is not hygienic enough and does not pay attention to his image. People who pick their nostrils for a long time may cause the nose to become deformed and the nostrils become larger, which has a great impact on a person's image.
Minor injury: damage to nose hair, inflammation of hair follicles
Like sentinels in the forest, nose hairs stand guard in our nostrils, dutifully protecting our bodies. They act as a line of defense against dust and bacteria from the outside world, allowing us to breathe more smoothly and be healthier. However, if we often dig our nostrils with our fingers in our daily lives, it is tantamount to destroying this line of defense and causing the defense to fail.
If you pick your nostrils frequently, you can easily damage your nose hairs, and their shedding can lead to inflammation of the hair follicles, just as the land has lost vegetation and can no longer protect itself. In this way, our resistance will be reduced, and external dust and other substances will directly enter our nasal passages like invaders, causing irritation to our body.
Moderate injury: injury to the nasal mucosa
Inside our nostrils, covered with a full and rich network of capillaries. These tiny blood vessels, like fingers caressing the strings of a piano, can trigger a chain reaction. When we explore our nostrils frequently and forcefully with our hands, these capillaries will tremble like strings punctured by a needle, and then gradually become fragile and even rupture.
Once these capillaries are damaged, they release a blood-colored substance that makes the ** inside the nostrils rosy. At the same time, irritation from localized exudates and nasal secretions can also make the area sensitive and fragile. At this point, if left untreated and allowed to develop, nasal vestibular inflammation can creep in.
Serious injury: induces infection and can also lead to death
The serious harm of picking your nostrils is like a hidden trap lurking in your life, which can lead to unintended consequences at any time. Behind this seemingly innocuous Xi, there is a potentially fatal danger – intracranial infection.
Did you know?The nasal veins and intracranial veins in our body are interconnected, and there is no barrier between them. It's like two adjacent oceans, one of which is swelling, and the other is felt by the other. So, if you accidentally bring bacteria from your hands into your nasal passages while picking your nose, these bacteria may sneak into your nasal passages and cause infections like sneaking up like an assassin sneaking in.
First, it's important to understand that the size of our nostrils is determined by genetic factors, that is, the shape and size of our nostrils are largely innate. Even if you pick your nostrils often, it won't change the basic shape of your nostrils. However, if you pick your nostrils very often, your nasal passages may become more sensitive and more susceptible to external stimuli, resulting in more secretions. This can lead to an increase in secretions in your nasal passages, making it easier for you to pick your nostrils.
In addition, picking the nose can also lead to damage to the nasal cavity, which can cause infection and inflammation. This can lead to tissue growth in the nasal cavity, further exacerbating the condition of enlarged nostrils. However, this change is usually very small and does not have a noticeable impact on your appearance.
Therefore, picking your nostrils often will not make your nostrils bigger, but it may increase the sensitivity and secretions of your nasal passages. To keep your nasal passages healthy, it is recommended to gently wipe your nasal passages with a cotton swab or tissue to remove secretions and dirt. If you feel any abnormalities or discomfort in your nose, it is advisable to consult a doctor for professional advice and ** solutions.
Divert your attention – Try to focus your attention on something else, such as listening, reading, or doing some activity that you enjoy. This can help you distract yourself and reduce the urge to pick your nostrils.
Alternative behaviors – Try to satisfy your urges with some alternative behaviors, such as gently massaging the bridge of your nose with your fingers or wiping your nasal passages with some soft tissues. This relieves your urges while reducing damage to your nasal passages.
Seek help – If you find yourself unable to control the urge to pick your nose, or if your actions have taken a serious toll on your life and socialisation, then you may need to seek professional help. A psychologist or behavioral therapist can help you understand and overcome this urge.
First, saline can be used to clean the nasal passages. Saline is a gentle cleanser that can help remove dirt and bacteria from the nasal passages. At the same time, saline also keeps the nasal passages moist and avoids dryness and itching. When using saline to clean the nasal passages, you can pour the saline into the nasal washer and squeeze the washer firmly to spray the saline into the nasal cavity. This can help clean all corners of the nasal passages, including areas such as turbinates and nasal passages.
Second, a nasal aspirator can be used to remove secretions and dirt from the nasal passages. A nasal aspirator is a very effective cleaning tool that can suck secretions and dirt out of the nasal passages by suction under negative pressure. When using a nasal aspirator, you can first place the aspirator into your nose and gently press the tip of the aspirator to suck out secretions and dirt.
In addition, a warm, damp washcloth can be applied to the nose to help soften secretions and dirt in the nasal passages, making it easier to remove. At the same time, wet washcloths can also help keep the nasal passages moist and relieve dryness and itching.
In conclusion, using scientific methods to clean the nasal passages is a very effective way to keep the nasal passages healthy. In addition to using saline, nasal aspirators, and wet towels, you can help maintain nasal health by adjusting your diet, avoiding allergens, and exercising.