Don't Pick Your Nose! Unless of Course You Want to!

I've long been intrigued as to why otherwise normal, sane, and apparently well adjusted people pick their nose. What's in those nasal passages that's so important we have to use our finger to dig and retrieve it?

If you don't believe that nose picking is common, just listen to this. The Journal of Psychiatry published a study on people who pick their noses in 1995.  They sent out 1,000 survey forms to residents of Dane County, Wisconsin questioning them about their nose picking habits.

Of the 254 forms that were returned, a whopping 91 percent said they had picked their nose in the past and were continuing to practice the habit to this day. That's pretty sobering! We are truly a nation of enthusiastic nose pickers!

By the way, if you don't want to use the lay term of nose picking to describe this habit, you can use the official scientific name for this common practice. Warning! It's a mouthful!.The scientific term for nose picking is rhinotillexomania. Yes, it's a mouth full (or nose full might be more appropriate).

Now to be a bit more graphic about nose picking, 8% of the survey responders reported eating the nasal contents they mined from their nose picking.  I wonder if these people might be deficient in some necessary nutrient they're trying to preserve by digesting their nasal secretions?

To restore your faith in human nature, it's reassuring to know that over 90% of the survey respondents used a handkerchief to dispose of their nasal secretions. Unfortunately, almost 8% stuck their residual nasal secretions onto a convenient piece of furniture. The take home message here is to be careful where you sit or eat because you never know what might be stuck to the underside of the table!

 You may be surprised to learn the history of nose picking dates back to primitive times. REALLY primitive times, as in before there were written records. There is actually cave art depicting cave men (and women) engaging in the elegant art of picking their noses.

 Obviously, the habit of nose picking has fluctuated in frequency and style down through the ages, but it's apparent that down through history this habit has never lost its appeal among those who practice it.

 As much today as in past times, you can spot an enthusiastic nose digger stopped at a traffic light. It's just one more reason they may have developed tinted windows for cars.  Don't you think?

 P.S. If you're a nose picker or know someone who is, I have the ultimate gift. It's guaranteed to make a statement everywhere it's worn. Wanna know what it is? Click here.