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Oct 04, 2024By Samrat Saxena
Whether it’s during family dinners, while watching TV, or in the middle of a school lesson, younger kids have that knack for picking their noses at the most inconvenient moments. It’s not just about that quirky phase but also about hygiene issues and health concerns that may arise as a consequence. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 80% of children engage in nose picking at some point. Most start as early as infancy. Several reasons, like boredom, habit, or even to relieve nasal discomfort, can turn out to be the reasons why they can’t leave their nose-picking habit.
Read below this article to learn why children pick their noses and what you could do about it.
Reasons Why Kids Pick Their Noses
It is important to understand the actual reason why kids pick their noses. Here are some possible reasons behind their behavior.
- Curiosity and exploration that provokes them to discover their bodies, including their noses, as part of their learning process.
- Allergies, colds, or dry air can result in nasal irritation, which is another significant reason that makes kids’s noses feel uncomfortable, insisting they pick their noses.
- Sometimes, nose-picking is just a way to pass the time, especially if a child is feeling bored or restless.
- For some kids, nose picking turns out to be a habitual behavior.
Why Is Nose Picking Not A Good Idea?
While it looks weird and makes you feel embarrassed, nose picking is not good from a health aspect as well. Here are some side effects of nose picking.
- Nasal infections are an outcome of frequent contact with germs that get introduced into the nasal passages, potentially leading to infections.
- Aggressive picking can cause irritation or minor injuries inside the nose, also resulting in nosebleeds.
- Nose-picking can become a social faux pas, leading to embarrassment or teasing as your child grows older.
Tips to Help Your Kids Stop Their Nose-Picking Habit
Curbing your child’s nose picking habit is not easy. Task. However, with some simple tips, you can win this uphill battle effectively.
Keep Their Hands Busy
Redirecting your kid’s mind to other activities; engaging and keeping their hands occupied is the trick. From crafts to puzzles, there are several activities that will keep your child away from their nose-picking habit.
Good Hygiene Learning
Teaching good hygiene habits since an early age plays an important role. Try teaching them in a fun and relatable way.
Keep Tissues Handy
At home, make sure you place the tissues accessible to your kids and encourage them to wipe their nose using a tissue rather than touching it with their fingers.
Gentle Reminders
Whenever you catch them acting in this way, make sure you gently remind them about this bad habit instead of scolding them. You can ask them to use a tissue in place.
Talk about any nasal discomforts.
If your kid is experiencing nasal discomfort, which is why he is possible into the nose-picking behavior, it’s time to address his concern. You can use a humidifier at home or even consult a pediatrician regarding related allergies.
Takeaway
Nose-picking is a common childhood habit that can effectively be dealt with with some tips and tricks. But before that, it is important to understand the reason behind why they do so. So the next time your child indudges into nose-picking, you can help your child break this habit while fostering good hygiene practices.
