Currently, there is little research suggesting that nose picking may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. More research is necessary.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that happens when an accumulation of proteins in the brain permanently damages brain tissues.
This kind of brain damage eventually leads to symptoms like forgetfulness, loss of speech and writing abilities, and an inability to take care of yourself.
As of 2023, over
While growing evidence seems convincing, it’s still difficult to say for sure whether there’s a direct link between nose picking and your risk for Alzheimer’s.
Read on to learn more about what the research says, what confirmed risks of nose picking you should be aware of, and how to keep yourself from picking your nose.
The basic notion at the heart of the link between nose picking and Alzheimer’s disease has to do with introducing foreign substances or infectious material into your nose.
But the evidence is mostly theoretical, and scientists haven’t done any studies on humans.
A
The authors discuss how pathogens on the fingers can get into the
Like other parts of your body, your nose and olfactory system have a specific nasal
But these pathogens can start to live among your healthy bacteria and eventually colonize your nose and olfactory system permanently.
And your olfactory system has a direct connection to your brain. This means that long-term, low grade infectious pathogens in your olfactory system may also travel to your brain and
The authors suggest that this kind of brain inflammation may link to the development of
- amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides
- tau proteins
- plaque formations
One other study also suggested that there’s evidence for this link between nose picking and Alzheimer’s.
A
This can cause long-term brain inflammation similar to that which increases your risk of Alzheimer’s in humans.
The evidence isn’t conclusive on whether nose picking has a direct link to your risk of Alzheimer’s.
But confirmed risks of picking your nose include:
- increasing your risk of respiratory infections introduced through your nose,
such as pneumonia and COVID-19 - damaging or injuring tissues that can result in breaking down your nose cartilage over time
- damaging or desensitizing nasal hairs that protect your olfactory system from infections, such as nasal vestibulitis
Some tips to help stop yourself from nose picking and reduce its possible effects on your health include:
- hydrating your nasal tissues with nasal irrigation or a saline rinse to reduce itching, dryness, and mucus buildup
- keeping tissues nearby and using them to wipe or blow your nose instead of your finger
- washing your hands frequently or using hand sanitizer to keep your fingers clean
- wrapping a bandage on your fingers to remind yourself not to put your fingers in your nose
Allergies can make you pick your nose because it feels itchy or is constantly dripping. Ask a doctor or allergist about allergy medications, such as hydroxyzine, to help reduce itching and other allergy symptoms.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about nose picking and illness.
Can nose picking cause cancer?
Nose picking alone doesn’t cause cancer.
But introducing pathogens into your nose can increase your risk of infections. Over time, long-term infections or inflammation can
Can nose picking cause Parkinson’s?
There’s no evidence that nose picking can cause Parkinson’s disease.
Unlike Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s affects a specific part of the brain called the substantia nigra that produces dopamine. And there aren’t any known links between pathogens that get into your nose and cause inflammation in this part of the brain.
What is the psychological reason for nose picking?
You might pick your nose more frequently when you’re anxious or stressed. This kind of compulsive nose picking is known as
Two types of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) called
Finding out the cause of your anxiety or stress can help reduce your nose picking, or you can work with a therapist or mental health professional to address the issues underlying your mental health.
There’s little evidence that picking your nose has a direct link to your risk for Alzheimer’s.
But inflammation in your brain linked to pathogens in your nose suggests that a relationship between nose picking and some of the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s may exist.
Contact a medical professional if you’re concerned about the effect of your nose picking on your health.