Nose Picking: Can It Make Your Nose Bigger?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ryuk1990
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether long-term nose picking can lead to an increase in the size of the nose. Participants explore various aspects of this behavior, including potential scientific evidence, cultural perceptions, and humorous takes on the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Humorous

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about scientific evidence regarding the effects of nose picking on nose size, suggesting a need for research.
  • Others humorously reference the cultural notion that nose picking is common and may not have significant effects on size.
  • A participant suggests that children's noses grow quickly, linking this to their nose-picking habits, though this is presented without scientific backing.
  • There is mention of the potential for serious health consequences from compulsive nose-picking, including nasal septum perforation and infections.
  • Some participants discuss the idea of conducting a long-term study on the effects of nose picking, proposing titles and joking about grant funding.
  • One participant speculates that the myth of nose size increase may relate to the natural growth of noses and ears throughout life.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the technique of nose picking could involve "progressive overload" similar to weight training.
  • There are comments reflecting on the implications of findings from such a study, particularly in relation to other body parts frequently manipulated.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the relevance of the topic, suggesting that it may not yield observable effects on nose size.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on whether nose picking affects nose size, with multiple competing views and humorous takes present throughout the discussion. Some express skepticism about the significance of the behavior, while others propose serious implications and research ideas.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative claims and humorous remarks, with no definitive scientific evidence presented to support or refute the idea that nose picking affects nose size. The conversation also touches on health risks associated with the behavior, which remains unresolved.

Ryuk1990
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Is there any scientific evidence suggesting that picking your nose over a long period of time can make your nose bigger?
 
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Ryuk1990 said:
Is there any scientific evidence suggesting that picking your nose over a long period of time can make your nose bigger?

Have you done a literature search on nose picking? We would prefer that you do some research on your own so that you are better equipped for a scientific discussion when you post.
 
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose,but you can't pick your friends nose.
 
hypatia said:
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose,but you can't pick your friends nose.

Urban legend.
 
Ryuk1990 said:
Is there any scientific evidence suggesting that picking your nose over a long period of time can make your nose bigger?

Most definitely. Children do this all the time, even in public. Look how fast their noses grow.

And, it seems Einstein never shedded this bad habit. Just look.
 

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A lot of it has to do with finger size and willingness to "go deep".
 
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How does one find the appropriate wording to write a proposal to obtain the long term funding for such a research study? Anyone with such skill is welcome to help me write my next proposal. Name your fee!
 
stevenb said:
How does one find the appropriate wording to write a proposal to obtain the long term funding for such a research study? Anyone with such skill is welcome to help me write my next proposal. Name your fee!

Your proposal should be entitled: "Proposal for a long term cohort study of the consequences of rhinotillexomania in children." This study is good for at least 20 years of funding.
 
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SW VandeCarr said:
Your proposal should be entitled: "Proposal for a long term cohort study of the consequences of rhinotillexomania in children." This study is good for at least 20 years of funding.

You're hired ! :cool:
 
  • #10
stevenb said:
You're hired ! :cool:

Hey. I've worked on both sides of the fence on research grant funding. They'll think "rhino... what?" and be too embarrassed to ask what it means. It's about children so it must be important!

EDIT: That's only at the first level of review however, so don't get your hopes up too much.
 
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  • #11
Why does this even matter? I think it's safe to assume that most people pick their noses as much as the next guy/gal, yielding no significant or observable affect in size.
 
  • #12
Ryuk1990 said:
Is there any scientific evidence suggesting that picking your nose over a long period of time can make your nose bigger?

Your nose and ears continue to grow throughout life. Speculative on my part here; but I wonder if this has anything to do with this myth?
 
  • #13
SW VandeCarr said:
A lot of it has to do with finger size and willingness to "go deep".

:smile: I knew this was going to get ugly!
 
  • #14
Ivan Seeking said:
:smile: I knew this was going to get ugly!

:smile::smile::smile::smile:

Sorry its that slap happy time of night where everything funny appears quadruply so :biggrin:
 
  • #15
Ivan Seeking said:
:smile: I knew this was going to get ugly!

Actually it does get ugly. While there doesn't seem to be any evidence that chronic nose-picking causes noses to be larger than they otherwise would be, there are serious possible consequences from compulsive nose-picking (rhinotillexomania) including perforation of the nasal septum, chronic bleeding, and local infection with possible intracranial extension. The linked case report concerns penetration into the ethmoid sinus.

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/reprint/18/10/1949.pdf
 
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  • #16
the key to nare hypertrophy is progressive overload. start small, using just the pinky. then, over a period of months to years, work your way up to the thumb.
 
  • #17
That would be an interesting study. Paricularly the implications for the findings to be applied to other areas of the body that are frequently played with...
 
  • #18
I wonder how to understand word "findings" in the context of nose picking.
 
  • #19
This topic challenges my faith in god...
And while he's looking for research perhaps hell discover why mucos production is down regulated in female humans as i have never observed attractive women picking their noses. Perhaps this explains the cute little noses they have...
 

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