Nose-picking is a gross habit and that's a general sentiment. A study, however, says kids picking their nose and eating their snot are healthier, and parents should not discourage children from doing it.
A mom's first instinct whenever she spots her child with his finger up his nose is to swat the child's hand. This makes sense because kids picking their noses in public appear unhygienic and uncivilized, especially when some try tasting their snot as well.
Dr. Zara Patel told Vice in 2015 if kids pick their nose frequently, then they run the risk of tearing the soft skin inside or develop a sinus infection. A study, however, provided a different take on nose-picking in that it's actually healthier, including snot-eating. The experts published their findings on the American Society for Microbiology via National Institutes of Health.
Snot contains salivary mucins that help prevent infections, according to the experts. Mucins also boost the bodies' immune system so that it can defend itself from stomach ulcers or virus like HIV, as per Kidspot Australia.
"Eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body's immune system," Professor Friedrich Bischinger, a lung specialist, told Kidspot. Bischinger further said the mixture of bacteria in the mucus work like medicine when processed inside the intestines.
The experts also learned mucins are effective against cavity-causing bacteria as it prevents the germs from sticking to the teeth. Thus, the experts took an interest in studying how to create synthetic mucus which could be used as an ingredient for toothpaste or chewing gum, as per Mummy Pages.
Mucins don't actually kill bad bacteria. Its strong preventive properties, however, make it safer for kids than giving the antibiotics for infection, according to the experts.
So, what do you think of these findings, parents? Did it encourage you to allow kids to pick their noses? Share our thoughts in the comments!
