Nose-Picking Associated with Higher Covid-19 Risk

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, healthcare workers have faced an elevated risk of contracting Covid-19 due to their frontline roles. However, a recent study has unearthed a curious correlation: healthcare workers who engage in the habit of picking their noses are significantly more susceptible to contracting SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing the respiratory illness, Covid-19. 

Drawing from a comprehensive study involving 219 healthcare workers in the Netherlands, a notable trend emerged: among those who regularly indulged in nose-picking, a substantial 17% fell victim to Covid-19. In contrast, the infection rate was notably lower, measuring at less than 6%, for those who refrained from this habit. 

People News reported that intriguingly, while nose-picking emerged as a concerning factor linked to heightened Covid-19 infections, the study failed to establish similar associations with other habits such as nail-biting, wearing glasses, or sporting a beard.

The study, funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, yielded a resolute conclusion: “Nose picking…is associated with an increased risk of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection.” Consequently, the researchers advocated for heightened awareness within healthcare facilities, proposing measures like educational initiatives and the incorporation of guidelines discouraging nose-picking as part of infection prevention strategies. 

Covid-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets carrying the virus, as outlined by the CDC. These droplets can be inhaled by others or meet their eyes, noses, or mouths, facilitating potential infection. Additionally, contaminated surfaces can serve as a conduit for transmission, especially if a person touches them and subsequently touches their face. This includes the nasal cavity, prompting the CDC’s emphasis on thorough handwashing prior to touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth.

A recent study conducted by Stanford University pinpointed the nose as the principal entry point for Covid-19 infection. Peter Jackson, PhD, a professor of pathology and microbiology and immunology at Stanford Medicine, highlighted, “Our upper airways are the launchpad not only for infection of our lungs but for transmission to others.”

He further elaborated that ciliated nasal epithelial cells within the human body serve as the primary entry site for SARS-CoV-2 in nasal epithelial tissue. To mitigate the risk of contracting Covid-19, the CDC continues to advocate for consistent and meticulous handwashing, lasting for 20 seconds or more.

Staying current with vaccinations and boosters remains integral to prevention. Considering this research, individuals are urged to opt for using tissues instead of resorting to the practice of nose-picking. As the fight against Covid-19 persists, this study uncovers an unconventional yet impactful aspect of transmission dynamics, underlining the need for behavioral ha changes to safeguard public health.