Title: Nose Picking Linked to Increased Risk of Contracting Coronavirus, Study Finds
Subtitle: Researchers in the Netherlands reveal surprising findings about the association between nose picking and COVID-19 transmission
Date: [Current Date]
In a surprising revelation, a recent study conducted in the Netherlands has found a link between habitual nose picking and an increased risk of contracting the coronavirus. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study sheds light on the behavior of health care workers and its potential impact on COVID-19 transmission.
Researchers surveyed 219 health care workers, the majority of whom admitted to picking their noses with varying frequencies, including monthly, weekly, or daily. Of this group, approximately 17 percent went on to contract the coronavirus, compared to only 6 percent of those who did not engage in nose picking activities. Remarkably, the risk remained consistent across all nose pickers, regardless of frequency.
The study aimed to investigate the potential factors that may have contributed to the heightened risk of coronavirus contraction among health care workers in 2020. Behaviors such as wearing beards, biting nails, and, notably, nose picking were examined. Jonne J. Sikkens, an internal medicine specialist and clinical epidemiologist at Amsterdam University Medical Center, who led the study, described the investigation as “quite funny,” but highlighted the surprising findings about its potential impact on transmission.
While the study’s findings do not prove a direct causal relationship between nose picking and coronavirus contraction, Sikkens emphasized the need to be more aware of this behavior in the workplace to minimize its potential risks.
Experts explain that our noses act as an entry point for bacteria and viruses, as they suck in air and the organisms it carries. The moist and dark nasal cavities provide an ideal environment for germs like the coronavirus. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets and particles inhalation but can also land on surfaces or faces. Touching the eyes, mouth, or nose after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces increases the risk of introducing the virus into the body.
Stuart Ray, a professor of medicine specializing in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, explains that touching the nose with hands, which frequently come into contact with various surfaces, allows infectious agents to transfer from one surface to another and from one person to another.
Furthermore, the protective lining of mucosa in the nasal cavities helps to trap pathogens before they can replicate. However, nose picking can damage this lining, compromising its effectiveness. One study even found a higher prevalence of staph infection in nasal passages of nose pickers compared to non-nose pickers.
The urge to touch our faces, including the nose, is deeply ingrained in human behavior. Medical and dental students, for instance, have been found to touch their faces frequently. Experts attribute this behavior to the need for self-soothing, which includes physical actions such as nose-touching.
To reduce the transmission of diseases, medical experts suggest refraining from touching the face. While breaking habits is challenging, recommendations include replacing face-touching with less risky behaviors, such as massaging the back of the neck or carrying a small trinket. Wearing gloves or masks can also act as barriers to deter face-touching.
Although the study does not definitively prove the direct link between nose picking and coronavirus contraction, experts caution that it is difficult to eliminate confounding behavioral factors. Further research is required to establish the significance of nose picking as a risk factor for COVID-19 acquisition.
In the meantime, experts advise taking precautions such as frequent hand-washing or the use of hand sanitizer to mitigate the risks associated with face-touching. Heightened awareness and adherence to guidelines are crucial in minimizing the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Please note that the findings of this study are based on a specific group of health care workers and may not be generalizable to the wider population. Further research is required to validate these findings.