The habit of inserting a finger into the nasal cavity is clinically termed rhinotillexis. While considered a social taboo, this behavior is nearly universal, with surveys suggesting almost all adults engage in it. Many people worry that this frequent manipulation might lead to a permanent physical change, resulting in a larger or wider nose. The central question is whether this common habit can structurally alter the nose’s size over time.
Does Picking Actually Change the Nose’s Size?
The physical size and external shape of the nose are primarily determined by underlying bone and cartilage structures. These structures are rigid and resistant to external force. The upper portion is supported by bone, while the lower two-thirds, including the tip and nostrils, are shaped by flexible but firm cartilage. This framework is not easily stretched or reshaped by the light pressure exerted during typical nose picking, meaning the habit does not cause a permanent increase in the nose’s structural dimensions.
Any perceived change in size is temporary and results from inflammation or edema, which is swelling caused by fluid accumulation. Aggressive or frequent picking irritates the delicate nasal lining, causing the tissue to swell and making the nose appear larger. Once the irritation subsides and the inflammation resolves, the nose returns to its normal size and shape.
Acute Internal Trauma and Septal Damage
While the external size remains unchanged, chronic nose picking can inflict significant damage on internal nasal structures. The inner wall of the nose, known as the nasal septum, is covered by a thin, sensitive mucous membrane (mucosa). Fingernails can easily cause tissue abrasion and lacerations to this delicate lining, leading to acute issues like epistaxis, the medical term for a nosebleed.
Repeated trauma prevents the mucosa from healing properly and disrupts the blood supply to the underlying septal cartilage. Compromised blood flow can cause the cartilage to break down, leading to a septal perforation—a hole in the partition separating the nostrils. Nose picking is a common cause of this condition. While small perforations might be asymptomatic, larger defects can cause crusting, bleeding, whistling sounds when breathing, and, in severe cases, a collapse of the external nasal bridge, known as a saddle nose deformity.
The Danger of Bacterial Introduction
Beyond mechanical damage, the introduction of microbes poses a significant biological risk associated with rhinotillexis. Fingers and fingernails carry various pathogens, transferring these microorganisms into the nasal vestibule (the area just inside the nostril). This action can breach the protective barrier of the nasal mucosa, creating entry points for bacteria.
Nose picking has been linked to increased colonization by Staphylococcus aureus (Staph). Studies show a positive correlation between the frequency of picking and the load of S. aureus present. This colonization can cause nasal vestibulitis, a localized infection characterized by inflammation, redness, and painful crusting or sores at the nostril entrance. In rare instances, an infection from the nasal area can spread to the brain via the veins in the “danger triangle” of the face, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like cavernous sinus thrombosis.