Picking your nose is the most disgusting thing to do iut give an impression of someone who is uncivilised and with no dignity.
Well this bad habit is not only bad but can also result to some healthy complications especially in children.
As much as parents may think is gross and harmless it could spread a dangerous bacteria which causes pneumonia.
According to study the transmission of pneumonia can occur through contact between the nose and hands when exposed to the bacteria.
Research has further indicated that the bacteria spreads at the same rate whether dry or wet, or whether people pick or even just rub their noses.
This is could be dangerous as pneumonia is a major cause of death around the world and is estimated to be responsible for 1.3million deaths in children under five years of age.
Even though it’s tricky to get your little ones to kick the unpleasant habit, researchers have some simple advice that may prevent the spread of the deadly bacteria.
According to Dr Victoria Connor a clinical research fellow at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Royal Liverpool Hospital, “For parents, as this research shows that hands are likely to spread pneumococcus, this may be important when children are in contact with elderly relatives or relatives with reduced immune systems,” said lead researcher Dr Victoria Connor, a clinical research fellow at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Royal Liverpool Hospital.
In addition to the study, “In these situations, ensuring good hand hygiene and cleaning of toys or surfaces would likely reduce transmission, and reduce the risk of developing pneumococcal infection such as pneumonia.”
So basically, keeping their hands and toys clean minimises the risk – which shouldn’t be too tricky to do with some antibacterial wipes or gel.
Dr Connor also said it “might not be realistic” to get kids to stop picking and rubbing their noses completely – but the presence of the bacteria could help “boost the immune system” of children and “reduces the risk” of them getting the disease in later life.
“It is unclear if completely reducing the spread of pneumococcus in children is the best thing,” she added.