The doctor warned people who like to pick their noses, itchy noses often, and hide the risks of 3 big problems that make nose picking unknowingly. along with suggesting solutions
Physical behaviors like picking your nails when you have nothing to do. or nasal picking to feel relieved Not only is doing this in public unsightly, it’s also unattractive. It may also increase the risk of transmitting germs.
Huang Xuan, M.D., a chest and intensive care specialist, explains that “continuous nasal picking” may hide3 main risks including diseases in the nasal cavity internal illness and being affected by changes in indoor air and humidity. These symptoms cause nasal picking without knowing it.
1. nasopharyngeal disease including allergic rhinitis Researchers have compiled a habit of nose picking. blowing nose and allergic rhinitis from 150 volunteers. Nasal-picking behavior was positively associated with allergic rhinitis, i.e. recurrent allergic inflammation.
Including having runny nose, nasal congestion easily, or there are foreign objects in the nasal cavity that make you want to have a stuffy nose all the time. Further analysis found that nasal picking may be a self-relief mechanism. which helps eliminate germs in the nasal cavity Thereby reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
2. internal illness For example, anxiety, stress, or boredom can cause people to pick their noses. A study published in the “Journal of Health Psychology” suggests that anxiety can increase the likelihood that people engage in nose-picking or nail-biting behavior. And another study found that when people feel stressed They are more prone to nose picking.
3. Changes in indoor air and humidity The researchers found 120 volunteers and divided them into three groups of 40. They lived in a low-humidity environment of 30%, moderate humidity of 50%, and an indoor environment of high humidity of 70% following four weeks.
The researchers found that in moderately humid environments, In subjects, the accumulation of mucus was significantly reduced. while mucus accumulation was higher in subjects living in low-humidity and high-humidity environments. This means that if the air in the room is too dry or too humid. The mucus in the nasal cavity will accumulate. It makes people want to pick their nose all the time without realizing it.
How to reduce the frequency of nasal picking? Dr. Huang Xuan recommends 4 methods as follows: 1. Take good care of your nose hygiene and cleaning. According to a 2018 study, it was found that in patients with sinusitis Regular use of a nasal scrub can significantly reduce runny and stuffy nose. This results in less nasal congestion and better breathing.
Another study found that frequent nasal rinsing can reduce the adherence of pathogens to the mucous membranes. Therefore, good nasal hygiene can help reduce mucus buildup and nasal-wiping habits.
2. Behavioral Psychotherapy If you have frequent nasal congestion due to anxiety and stress Cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques can help reduce nose-gagging behavior. A study published in the journal “Clinical Psychological Science” In 2022, cognitive behavioral therapy was found to effectively reduce negative emotions and anxiety in patients with depression. and expected to reduce involuntary physical behaviors such as nose picking or nail biting
3. The environment has proper humidity. Studies suggest that when indoor humidity is below 50%, nasal mucus thickens and easily accumulates in the nostrils. make people want to pick their noses When indoor humidity reaches 50%, sputum becomes thinner and easier to exhale. which can reduce nose picking behavior
Studies have also found that humidity in an environment that is too high or too low can cause mucus to accumulate and trigger nasal congestion. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain indoor air humidity at 50% and maintain a suitable indoor environment to reduce mucus.
4. treatment If the symptoms occur along with the disease in the nasal cavity, it can help reduce nasal picking. 200 allergic rhinitis patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group was treated with antihistamines and the control group was treated with placebo.
At 8 weeks, the patient had rhinitis and nasal congestion. There was a behavioral assessment. The findings showed that following treatment with allergy medication, The symptoms of rhinitis were significantly improved and the frequency of nasal congestion was reduced. There was no change in the placebo group, so patients with allergic rhinitis should be treated with appropriate medications. which in addition to relieving the symptoms Also avoid frantic nose picking.
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