How to get rid of the habit of picking your nose

What habit can be called bad? If you approach the answer broadly, then these are actions that damage not only health, but also the image. From this point of view, the habit of picking one’s nose is really harmful: not only does it increase the risk of introducing an infection into the body, but others will have the opinion of a lover of publicly examining their nose with an unflattering opinion. What causes an adult to pick his nose and how to overcome this addiction?

Why do people pick their nose

The habit of picking your nose originates in childhood, when at about two years old the child begins to enthusiastically explore his "bowels". For the baby, this is one of the forms of knowing one’s own body, which, as it grows older, gradually disappears.

In older children, picking the nose can often be a sign of increased anxiety, stress, emotional stress. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a pediatric psychologist or neurologist, as usual jerking and remarks will not help rid the child of this habit. In rare cases, picking in the nose - a symptom may indicate the presence of serious complications of a neurological or psychological nature, as well as some genetic diseases.

Thus, picking in the nose can be:

1. Physiological need. This is a desire to get rid of the discomfort caused by the presence of foreign particles in the nasal cavity: lumps of mucus, small debris and dust settled on the nasal mucosa during breathing (the so-called boogers). Typically, such “picking” is not intrusive, and as soon as the nasal cavity is clean, the person no longer has the desire to climb his fingers there again;
2. Psychological addiction. Everything is more complicated than in the first case: a person picks his nose not because of the desire to cleanse it, but because of an irresistible desire. In the most severe cases, psychologists talk about rhinotilexomania. This is the name of painful aggressive picking in the nose up to bleeding or other damage to the cavity. However, very few lovers of picking their nose cross this line: most often this process remains no more than an unaesthetic habit;
3. Symptom of a genetic disease or psychiatric disorder. In such cases, treatment is needed that is tailored specifically for a particular patient. In fairness, it is worth noting that picking the nose in such patients is usually the least of the problems.

How to get rid of the habit of picking your nose

In cases where picking your nose is an annoying habit that is not related to genetic or psychiatric disorders, it is quite possible to cope with it yourself.

In order to part with a bad habit, you first need to admit to yourself that you have it, and you want to get rid of it. Then analyze what makes you constantly pick your nose. Perhaps you simply have nothing to hold your hands on or this process calms you. Or maybe you recently suffered a disease that provoked itching and irritation of the nasal mucosa or increased mucus production? If the last assumption turns out to be true, you first need to visit a specialist who will help you choose the appropriate medications and give recommendations, otherwise it will be very difficult to get rid of the cravings in your nose.

What else will you have to pay attention to?

1. The room in which you live and work. Too much air, especially in the heating season, drains the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. As a result, a person experiences itching and irritation, which, as a result, causes a desire to dig into his nose.Therefore, try to ventilate the room more often and moisten the air in it, which can be done using household humidifierand just placing the containers with water. It does not have to be bulky pots or unaesthetic cans: water can be poured into original vases or decorative aquariums.
2. In the case when airing and moisturizing the air do not help to avoid dryness in the nose, you can irrigate the nasal cavity with special moisturizing sprays based on sea water.
3. Clean your nasal cavity properly. This should be done in the mornings and evenings, washing them with warm water. For a greater effect, you can add a little salt to the water: this will not only cleanse your nose more thoroughly, but also relieve swelling, strengthen capillaries, improve blood circulation.
4. Control yourself. Whenever you realize that your finger is in the nose, immediately remove it from there. Do not let the habit turn into a reflex, otherwise very soon you will begin to pick your nose in public.
5. Shorten your nails. This will significantly complicate the process of extracting mucus and other formations from the nose.
6. Take your fingers in something that will allow you to calm your nerves and distract you from your bad habit. Such activities as needlework (sewing, knitting, embroidery), music, carving, etc., will perfectly cope with this.

Picking in the nose is strongly associated, first of all, with children. However, adults, prone to this habit, alas, are many. You can unlearn this lesson, but it will require some self-control and effort, as well as getting rid of any other addiction.

Video: an awkward moment with a finger in the nose in front of 30,000 viewers