Many people find it natural to pick their noses, but it usually makes the other person feel disgusted.

Many people find it natural to pick their noses, but it usually makes the other person feel disgusted. Sometimes, it is also shame on the drill side. Many people believe that we should encourage our children to be quiet. I don’t think that is true. Picking needs to be learned properly, and sometimes it just isn’t appropriate. This is the way you teach.

Why do children pick in their noses?

Our nasal membranes filter dust from the air we breathe. The majority of this is taken away through the pharynx. Some incrustations remain and get stuck in our noses as boogers. Children discover this quickly. It is also beneficial because they can get the annoying boogers out with their little fingers. This has a certain fascination once discovered.

Studies have shown that children (like adults) pick their noses for three main reasons:

• For pleasure
• Out of boredom
• From stress

But of course, there is also the beneficial aspect of attention. We pay more attention to our children when they pick their noses. This is a lot funnier for the little ones. How we, as parents deal with the situation, is just as important for preventing further nose-picking as the reasons behind it.

There can be a variety of causes, such as allergies or dry nose. If your child mentions that their nose hurts, you should check this with your doctor.

What can you do about nose-picking in children?

People don’t like nose-picking. Even parents can become annoyed when their children continue to put their fingers in their noses. Not to mention the repulsion that occurs when it lands in their mouth. But there is a solution:

Tips on how to break the habit

Draw attention : 
If your child picks their nose out of boredom, draw their attention to it. He/she probably doesn’t notice that the finger has moved to the nose.

Provide an immediate alternative : 
Give your child a tissue and tell them to wash their hands after removing the booger.

Explain why not : 
It’s best to explain to your child why the fingers should not go up their noses while you wash their hands. It makes it easier for you to get sick, and it also makes it easier to get sick. And, once again, when it might be appropriate and when it absolutely isn’t. Books could help explain why and when it doesn’t work.

Provide alternatives : 
If your child is experiencing pain, inflammation, or extremely dry nasal mucosa, have them seen by a doctor and treated. Let your child know that it is best to blow firmly and to use a handkerchief. It depends on what suits you, but you could also explain to your child when you are not okay with it, for example when you are home alone. They should wash their hands after.

Repeat : 
It is not necessary for your child to learn the rules the first time, but they need to be repeated several times until they internalize them.

Keep calm : 
The top priority is to make your children aware of this and talk to them about it, but don’t make it bigger than it is and don’t turn it into a game. Strong criticism or scolding that is seen as unfair might make children pick their noses out of defiance.

Reward:
For our children, it is important to have visible success in order to keep their motivation. Reward systems have proven themselves well in such cases. A reward board is the easiest way to do it.

Should you stop your child from picking their nose?

Picking your nose can have negative consequences:

• It is easier to transmit diseases
• It is also easier to catch diseases
• It can lead to nosebleeds and
• The nose can become sore

An old myth says poking in and out doesn’t make us or our children sick. It creates an environment that is more conducive to bacteria and viruses. And it doesn’t make the nostrils bigger, just in case you read that somewhere.

The psychology behind booger eating

This is also common and it is normal. This creates a lot of disgust, even if it is about your own children. The eating of boogers is connected to theories from Freud and Adler. Recent approaches in developmental psychology are more appropriate. Children often touch their bodies, including their nostrils. The fact that there is still something to be achieved makes this more interesting.

Young children are not ashamed of it or disgusted by it. It’s not uncommon for the nostrils to be explored again and again after discovering them. Since our children experience life with all their senses to a much greater extent, they naturally apply this to poking their noses. How does it taste? Disgust and shame are not part of the curriculum for children.

A Harvard University study found that eating boogers can have a positive effect on the immune system. This is because it causes bacteria to enter our intestines that would otherwise be excreted through the nose. It has also been hypothesized that the bacteria found in boogers might help protect our teeth from harmful bacteria. But there was still no solid proof.

Conclusion

An unpleasant topic for adults, but not so unpleasant for children. We will put that into them. Of course, it is appropriate to work with your child to find solutions that work for both of you. The tips above should work as well. 
I did not mention the role model function in this article, but it is important here. Please pay attention to your own nose-picking habits. We adults often have a routine that we don’t know about.