Why is eating boogers bad

Have you ever wondered where snot comes from and why colds, allergies, and crying make nasal mucus more obvious? If your nasal discharge is any color other than clear, it could be a sign of an infection. Check out our handy table comparing conditions to colors to…. Contaminated food, a child accidentally eating animal or human feces, or other accidents may mean that a person accidentally eats poop.

Parosmia is a condition that distorts one's sense of smell and taste. A variety of health conditions — most of which are related to your sinuses — can trigger a rotten smell in your nose. Most are not serious, but some…. Loss of the sense of smell can be temporary or permanent.

Nasal polyps can cause pressure, congestion, and loss of smell. Medication and surgery can both be used to treat them. In fact, it may help protect your body from dust and pathogens.

But if you want to remove it, here's what you…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Potential benefits Risks Tips for stopping Outlook Overview. Because as your body digests the booger, it can release those harmful pathogens into your system. Now, some people claim that eating your boogers can strengthen your immune system.

By training your body to recognize and attack invading microbes. But, sorry to say, there's zero scientific evidence to support any health benefits from eating your boogers. And besides, whether or not you eat your boogers just getting ahold of them can be dangerous.

For example, scratching up the inside of your nose opens the door for a nasty bacteria that lurks under your fingernails, Staphylococcus aureus. A study found that nose-pickers were more likely to have Staph in their nose than those who abstain. And that's a big problem since Staph can cause serious abscesses or pus-filled pockets inside your nose and on your face. Even worse, if you keep picking you could actually puncture your septum. In one case, a year-old woman managed to carve a hole right through her sinus.

And if that sinus becomes infected badly enough, it can erode your skull, leaving a door open for bacteria to march right into your brain. To be fair, these are extreme scenarios. One time probably won't hurt you. If a person finds that their hands tend to travel to the nose when not in use, a stress ball, handheld game, or crafting project may help occupy and engage the fingers and hands.

Using relaxation techniques may help provide an alternative form of stress relief. Techniques include:. If none of these techniques help, a person should ask their doctor for advice — especially if their nose picking is causing nosebleeds or infections.

Talking to a mental healthcare provider may also help address any anxiety or stress that is prompting the nose picking. Some experts believe that there may be potential health benefits to eating boogers, but more research is needed to back this theory up.

Boogers often contain bacteria and viruses, and although nose picking is a common habit that does not usually cause health problems, eating boogers could expose the body to germs. Also, excessive nose picking can cause bleeding and inflammation in the nose. In rare cases, nose picking can become a compulsive habit that a person finds difficult to stop. People who pick their nose excessively should speak with their doctor. A nosebleed may be an everyday occurrence that affects most people sometime in their life.

But nosebleeds, while often caused by minor irritations or…. With many blood vessels and nerve endings in this area, bleeding and painful scabs in the nose are common issues. Causes include allergies, trauma….

Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that can infect the nose. Discover the symptoms of staph infection and the treatment options available….

Nonallergic rhinitis can result from an infection or drug use. It causes the inside of the nose to become inflamed, leading to cold-like symptoms. Nasal vestibulitis is a type of bacterial infection that affects the opening of the nose. In this article, learn more about the causes and treatments….

Is eating boogers good or bad? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Share on Pinterest Eating boogers has the potential to cause infection. Is eating boogers bad for children? Nose picking in adults. Is eating boogers a sign of a disorder? How to stop eating boogers. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.