Picking your nose is a common habit that many people have, especially children. Nose picking, also known as rhinotillexis, is the act of extracting nasal mucus or foreign particles from the nose with a finger. It is socially frowned upon in public settings, but remains a common private habit. A common question people have about nose picking is – does it make your nose bigger over time?
Quick Answer
The simple answer is no – picking your nose does not make it permanently bigger. The nose contains bone, cartilage, skin, muscle, nerves, and blood vessels, but it lacks muscle tissue. As a result, frequent nose picking does not stimulate tissue growth or enlarge the nose over time. However, picking can temporarily irritate the inner nostrils and outer skin, leading to some minor swelling that subsides quickly. Overall, nose picking has no long-term effects on the nose size or shape.
Nose Anatomy
To understand why nose picking does not enlarge the nose, it is helpful to understand the anatomy. The nose consists of:
- Bone – The bridge of the nose is made of bone.
- Cartilage – The nostrils and tip of the nose contain cartilage for support and flexibility.
- Skin – The outer part of the nose contains soft tissue and skin.
- Muscle – Tiny nasal and eye muscles surround the bony/cartilaginous nose structure.
- Nerves – Sensory nerves line the nasal cavity and passages.
- Blood vessels – A network of tiny blood vessels sits under the nasal skin.
Noticeably absent are large muscles – the nose lacks significant muscle tissue. Muscle growth requires muscle use and stimulation. When muscles are exercised regularly, they adapt by enlarging the muscle cells in response to the demand. The nose simply does not have enough muscle mass for any “exercise” from nose picking to stimulate noticeable tissue growth or enlargement over time.
Temporary Effects
While nose picking does not permanently make the nose bigger, it can temporarily irritate the nostrils and skin. Picking causes minor trauma by damaging the sensitive nasal tissue. Common temporary effects include:
- Redness – Skin irritation leads to redness on the nostril openings or septum.
- Swelling – Inflammation from tissue trauma can cause slight swelling inside the nostrils or on the nose.
- Tenderness – Some mild pain or tenderness may occur at the site of frequent skin picking.
- Scabs – Picking at scabs or bleeding areas forms crusty scabs during the healing process.
These effects are due to the body’s inflammatory response as it tries to heal the minor wounds caused by habitual nose picking. The swelling involves some fluid buildup and inflammation. However, once the picked area heals in a few days, the swelling and redness resolves completely. The nose returns to its original size and appearance.
Risks of Nose Picking
While occasional gentle nose picking is normal, excessive nose picking can lead to some risks and complications such as:
- Nosebleeds – Picking too aggressively can damage blood vessels and cause bleeding.
- Infection – Fingernails contain germs that can introduce bacteria into the sensitive nasal passages.
- Scarring – Repeatedly picking the same spots forms scar tissue that appears as whitish patches inside the nostrils.
- Nasal Septal Perforation – Chronic picking at the nasal septum can eventually cause a hole or perforation.
These potential risks provide further confirmation that nose picking does not enlarge the nose in a desirable way over time. While noses can certainly grow bigger during the aging process due to changes in collagen and cartilage, picking is not the cause.
When to Seek Help
Occasional nose picking is normal, but chronic nose picking may require treatment if it:
- Causes repeated damage, bleeding, infections, or embarrassment
- Persists despite attempts to stop
- Causes anxiety, distress, or interferes with work/school/relationships
- Suggests an underlying body-focused repetitive behavior disorder like rhinotillexomania
Psychological counseling can help people understand the emotional roots of chronic nose picking habits. Behavioral therapy provides tools to find healthier alternatives to picking. Medications may also help reduce compulsions. Seeking help is important if nose picking becomes problematic.
Prevention Tips
To avoid picking the nose, try these prevention tips:
- Use a tissue to blow the nose instead of picking
- Keep nails short to minimize nose damage if picking occurs
- Apply a healing ointment inside nostrils to keep tissue moisturized
- Identify emotional triggers for picking like boredom, anxiety, or stress
- Find distractions when the urge to pick arises, like squeezing a stress ball
- Avoid tools like bobby pins, pens, or paperclips to pick
Making a conscious effort to keep fingers away from the nose can help reduce habitual nose picking over time. If urges are powerful, speaking to a doctor or counselor may provide extra support.
Conclusion
Nose picking does not make the nose permanently bigger. The nose lacks muscle tissue that could enlarge with repetitive stimulation. However, excessive nose picking can irritate nostrils and skin causing temporary swelling. Refraining from nose picking whenever possible prevents damage and infection. Seeking help for chronic nose picking may become necessary if the habit is problematic. With awareness and a few prevention tips, people can keep their fingers away from the nose to avoid enlargement as well as other risks.