4 ms·
IANAD, but fingers can presumably increase the bacterial and viral load on the mucous membranes. Smear infections are a thing, hence the recommendation to not t
by longtom 7y ago
IANAD, but fingers can presumably increase the bacterial and viral load on the mucous membranes. Smear infections are a thing, hence the recommendation to not touch one's face during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On the other hand, nasal crusting is presumably also acts as petri dish. Clearly our nostrils are appropriately sized such that our fingers can fulfill a cleaning function, and this is also observed in other great apes with dry nostrils.
Some researcher even suggested digesting dried mucous (read eating it) may be beneficial for the immune system as it allows it to build antibodies to novel viruses: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dried_nasal_mucus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dried_nasal_mucus
- everyone 7y agoI wonder why picking ones nose is considered gross (and eating it doubly so). Is it simply a weird quirk of our society? Kids will naturally do it right? Are there examples of other societies where its considered to be fine?
- wkearney99 7y agoA co-worker some years ago described being a missionary in the Philippines. The locals were perplexed at his use of a handkerchief. Their perspective was "why would you want to SAVE it?" Their method being to lean over, hold one nostril and BLOW.