Researchers are warning that a common bad habit could potentially lead to dementia.
Picking your nose a lot, which is called rhinotillexomania, might make it easier for germs to go from your hands to your nose, leading to serious health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Australian scientists discovered that harmful pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, may enter the brain through the nose when someone picks or prods it. This could then lead to inflammation and increase the risk of dementia.
Once inflammation starts, beta-amyloid – a key feature in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s – may be produced in the brain as a defence mechanism. This protein can build up and affect healthy brain cells.
The researchers stated: “Neuroinflammation in AD [Alzheimer’s disease] might be partially caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens entering the brain through the nose and the olfactory system.”
Scientists say keeping your hands clean by washing them a lot and using hand gel is a must, especially if you pick your nose.
The researchers from Western Sydney University said: “Among all the entry routes, the improvement of hand hygiene might be an easy prevention step.
“We suggest these routine hygienic procedures be mandatory routine procedures for the incurable nose-picker.”
More than 944,000 people in the UK live with Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s more common in those over 65. That figure could rise to more than a million by 2023.
Although there isn’t a cure yet, there are ways to slow it down.
The NHS says: “It’s normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it’s a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia.”
Some less obvious signs like needing more naps or finding it hard to park a car could be clues that something’s not quite right.
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