The Nose Knows: Does Picking Make It Bigger?

Have you ever caught yourself mid-pick and wondered, “Does this make my nose bigger?” You’re not alone. Many people have long believed that constantly picking your nose leads to a larger schnozz. But is there any truth to this age-old myth? We dive into the science behind the size of your nose and whether or not picking actually makes it bigger.

What Determines the Size of Your Nose?

Before we can determine whether or not picking makes your nose bigger, we need to understand what determines the size of your nasal structure.

The shape and size of your nose are primarily determined by genetics – specifically, by certain genes that control bone growth and cartilage development. However, other factors such as age, weight loss/gain, injury/surgery can also affect the shape/size of your nose over time.

At birth, our noses start out small but grow throughout childhood thanks in part to the presence of high levels of human growth hormone (HGH) which spurs bone growth along with estrogen/testosterone hormones inducing baby fat around their facial bones. By adolescence HGH production falls off leading to slower bone growth until ossification stabilizes which usually happens during late teens for women but keeps going up until they turn approx 25-30 years old if male . Once you’ve reached adulthood however , while minor changes may occur from less elastin/collagen in skin/muscles which results with a decrease in elastic recoil force causing slightly elongation , change rate diminishes dramatically when considering extrinsic factors such as environmental changes like weather or pollution since those compounds hardly impact structurally hard body parts — cartilaginous ones included .

Can Picking Your Nose Actually Make It Bigger?

Now for the question on everyone’s minds – does picking make it bigger? There doesn’t appear to be any scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, picking your nose isn’t likely to cause any permanent changes in the size or shape of your nasal structure although it could lead some unsightly marks on a recently shaved externally visible parts of the surface where cartilage layer is missing with minor bleeding.

The skin inside your nose is much like any other skin on your body – it’s made up of cells that renew themselves constantly. In addition ,there are many hairs and mucus-secreting glands in there as well which help clear away dirt, debris & contaminants we inhale every day. That being said, constant digging and twisting can damage those sensitive tissues leading them to become inflamed, irritation might even develop causing sores — neither will bulk up the tissue though.

Can Picking Your Nose Have Any Other Effects?

While picking may not make your nose bigger per se, it can have other negative effects .

1. Showers germs who’s boss

One good thing about picking? It can help remove excess mucus and boogers from inside our noses which benefits respiratory health — just be sure wash hands onto soap afterwards .

2. Bleed-ger alert

Picking too hard or often however ,as mentioned earlier, could easily irritate nostril interior rupture vascularized epithelia ending with bleeds that mostly stop only after applying pressure over time .

3.Infection possibility

Additionally, incessant (habitual) nose-pickers risk introducing harmful bacteria into their bodies via micro abrasions they inflict upon these sensitive areas leading towards subsequent infections developing down the line. The excessive removal actions also damages nasolacrimal ducts responsible for tears drainage further exposing us to external contamination from microbes etc.

So What Can You Do Instead?

If you’re concerned about the size or appearance of your nose but still want a way to cleanse its passages considering those health aspects we mentioned above, there are alternative methods to picking.

Here are some tips:

  • Use saline sprays or solutions to keep your nasal passages clear
  • Avoid touching or manipulating the inside of your nose too often
  • Try breathing exercises and yoga/meditation routines as it helps regulate all bodily functions, including stress response mechanisms targeted towards reducing cortisol secretion thus decrease inflammation risk within epithelial cells
  • Adapt diet considerations based on antihistaminic properties since allergies could be a significant perturbator for congestion i.e honey (any plant source), ginger root etc

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to pick away at those pesky boogers, rest assured that you’re probably not making your nose any bigger in the process. That being said, making constant contact with those sensitive inner tissues increases chances of harm rather than aiding in removing nuisances. So instead of reaching right up into your nostrils next time ,try one of our alternative methods–you might just find a gentler and cleaner way to breathe easy!

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