Q&A for How to Stop Picking Your Nose

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  • Question
    Can I get nosebleeds from picking my nose?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you end up peeling off a small amount of skin, your nose may start to bleed.
  • Question
    Does picking my nose affect my health?
    Community Answer
    It's unhealthy, as opening up spots in your nose provides an attractive place for bacteria to settle. This may develop into an infection, but that's rare. Just stop picking: it's for the best.
  • Question
    What if I don't have a tissue paper around and I really want to pick my nose?
    Community Answer
    Find something else to do with your hands until you you can get a tissue or handkerchief.
  • Question
    I'm relaxed when I put my finger into my nose, what the reason behind that?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    It's a habit, and habits relax us, it's as simple as that.
  • Question
    My nose has bloody scabs inside. How do I get rid of them without going to the doctor?
    Community Answer
    Try to let the scabs heal without picking them. Nose scabs are very sensitive, and the more you pick, the more they bleed. Let them heal by themselves.
  • Question
    I have a bad habit of picking and wiping it somewhere. How can I stop?
    Community Answer
    Try keeping your hands busy. When they're busy, you don't have a chance to pick your nose, therefore you can't wipe it anywhere.
  • Question
    When I pick my nose how do I make it stop bleeding?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how much your nose is bleeding. If it is going crazy, then that's not good and you should ask your doctor for help. If it's dripping, run to a sink or bath and let it drain for a bit and then wipe it up. And perhaps stop picking it, to stop the bleeding from being triggered.
  • Question
    Does picking your nose affect others and your health?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Picking your nose is unhygienic, and can spread disease and bacteria.
  • Question
    I love picking my nose! I'm beyond addicted and just can't resist. I also love to dig in to scrumptious boogers. They are my friends. Do I have a problem?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Yes. It's not healthy to pick your nose. It's not healthy to do anything compulsively. Try the tips in the article or seek professional help.
  • Question
    Is picking your nose then eating it normal?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    No. Many small children do it, but it should be discouraged. The glands in your nose produce a mucus to prevent bacteria from getting in direct contact with these glands. That is the mucus you remove when picking your nose. The mucus traps these bacteria inside; ingesting them is not a good idea.
  • Question
    What do you do if you are at a store and your nose bleeds?
    Community Answer
    Go to the bathroom as fast as you can. Try stopping the bleeding with your hands.
  • Question
    What happens when I'm in public and my nose bleeds?
    Community Answer
    Go immediately to a bathroom and take tissues with you. If there isn't any bathroom just try to stopper it with tissues. See your doctor if you keep experiencing such bleeding.
  • Question
    How do I stop picking my nose scab?
    Community Answer
    Try to occupy your hands with an activity. If you pick at your nose scab, you might get an infection.
  • Question
    What if my nose is itchy inside and I have no tissues or towels?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You can go to a restroom, wet your finger and gently rub some water on the insides of your nose. Alternatively, you could try a nose spray or even a Turkish bath. Most lunch counters, fast food restaurants and snack bars will give you some paper tissues if you ask politely.
  • Question
    When I pick my nose, my nasal hair comes out. Will this lead to not having enough nasal hair to trap the dust? Will the dust enter my lungs?
    Community Answer
    No. Use nasal spray two times a day.
  • Question
    Is picking your nose a sign of worms?
    Community Answer
    No. Not sure where you got that idea.
  • Question
    What if I collect my boogers and don't want to lose them?
    Community Answer
    Just don't collect your boogers. It is unsanitary and will probably disgust people who see.
  • Question
    I pick my nose because it tends to be itchy with a ton of boogers. Is that normal?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is normal. We all have boogers in our nose, and they can be very annoying and make you you want to scratch at your nose. Always try to blow your nose before you start picking it, though.
  • Question
    Will my face cave in from picking your nose?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    No. Your nose is a gland which separates mucus. This is the substance you take out when you pick your nose. It is not part of the physical structure that supports your face. If you have pain, don't hesitate to contact your doctor immediately.
  • Question
    Can dogs get nose bleeds?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Yes. A nose bleed can be a symptom of many things, many of which are dangerous. If your dog has a nose bleed, contact your veterinarian for advice.
  • Question
    My nose is very dry and I have a difficult time breathing, but when I pick my nose it seems to help open it up. I've tried Aloe/Saline nose sprays and they don't help the situation, I still can't blow my nose. Any suggestions?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You could try a turkish bath, a type of sauna where the air is extremely humid, which brings a lot of moisture into your nose and mouth. It's also good for your health. Alternatively, try placing your head under a towel over a bowl of steaming water. You can perfume it or put some of the aloe/saline in it for added benefit. This has the same effect as the turkish bath. If the problem persists, seek medical advice.
  • Question
    I pick my nose and then I get a blocked nose. I then pick it again to stop the blocked nose. Any suggestions?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Seek medical advice if the problem persists. If it's coagulated blood that is blocking your nose, you will simply have to wait until the underlying wounds have healed. If it's simply mucus, try letting it dry up. Mucus shrinks while drying, which should unblock your nose. If you have excess mucus, this might be a symptom of an underlying illness. In all cases, the best course of action is to stop picking your nose and seek medical advice if you need to.
  • Question
    How do I keep my nose from getting dry? I notice I pick it more when it's dry.
    Community Answer
    Dip a Q-tip into a little petroleum jelly and stick it into your nostrils -- just don't push it up too far.
  • Question
    Is there a nose-wiping option other than tissues or toilet paper?
    Community Answer
    You could buy a handkerchief. They are reusable and can easily be washed.
  • Question
    Can you get cancer from nosepicking?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    The skin and hair follicles can get infected, which can spread to the brain and the rest of your body, but cancer is not caused by picking your nose.
  • Question
    How can I stop eating my boogers?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    A better understanding of the process might help you gain insight into what you are doing; the nose glands produce mucus to prevent bacteria from getting into direct contact with these glands. Once the mucus has served its purpose, it is naturally discarded through sneezing and dissolving. At that point, the mucus has trapped thousands if not millions of bacteria inside of it. Ingesting that is not beneficial.
  • Question
    What if I just can't stop?
    Kenny James Kugley
    Community Answer
    See a doctor or a psychologist to help with your problem.
  • Question
    How do I stop making scrapes in my nose?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Consider clipping your finger nails, or cleansing your nose under the shower with wet fingers or tissues. Contact your doctor if you have serious scrapes in your nose, do not apply skin healing ointments or bandages without medical advice.
  • Question
    I have dried bloody nose, it keeps on irritating me. How could I get rid of it?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Soothe your nose with warm water. Put a towel over your head and breathe in steam from a hot water bowl. Use wet Q-tips to gently soak your nose and lessen the irritation. But whatever you do, don't open up the wounds again, it will just postpone the problem. It needs to heal.
  • Question
    If someone stops picking their nose, will it get smaller? Because my brother picks his nose and he has a big nose.
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    The size and shape of your nose is determined genetically. Even gaining or losing a lot of weight usually will not the way the nose looks.
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