It became known why nose picking is considered extremely dangerous

Scientists warn that this activity requires accuracy and irregularity.

A review of dozens of published studies on neurological diseases has found compelling evidence that people who pick their noses frequently are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Chronic nose picking, medically known as rhinotillexomania, introduces germs into the sensitive nasal cavity that cause inflammation in the brain, which may be linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The new report, compiled by Australian researchers from the University of Western Sydney, was published in the journal Biomolecules.

“Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease may be caused in part by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens that enter the brain through the nose and olfactory system,” the scientists concluded in their paper. More than 6 million people live with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. This disease mainly affects people aged 65 years and older.

Experts are still not sure exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but they have observed a buildup of a protein called tau, which is associated with the body’s immune response, in the brains of patients.

Researchers believe that when the body’s defenses are triggered by too frequent intrusions, stress in the form of inflammation can lead to various diseases. The authors of the latest study confirmed this theory, suggesting that changes in the nasal cavity caused by microbial overgrowth may be a source of chronic, mild brain infections. They can occur without symptoms, but contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

The new study also claims that a variety of common pathogens were found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, such as the bacteria that causes pneumonia, the herpes virus, coronavirus and the feline parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

“One of the lessons learned from COVID-19 is the importance of hygiene through frequent hand washing and use of sanitizers, and we suggest that these routine procedures should be mandatory for incurable nose picking,” the scientists emphasize and state the importance of prevention.