Nose Picking in Toddlers

Nose picking in toddlers is a frequent concern for parents, often seen as one of the most irritating, annoying, and socially unacceptable behaviors. But it is not something that will harm your toddler in any way, and most kids outgrow this habit by the time they start schooling.

Why do Toddlers Pick Their Nose?

From a psychological perspective, nose picking in toddlers is a self-soothing habit that many of them do just out of pleasure and curiosity. It is a form of sensory exploration that is harmless, yet satisfying for your little one (1). Some of the psychological reasons for nose picking are as follows:

Toddlers are focused in exploring their body and surroundings
Nose picking can comfort them when under stress
Nose picking relieves an itch, and its likely to continue
Toddlers are not aware of the fact that nose picking is socially undesirable (2)

Apart from the above psychological reasons of nose picking, there are several other reasons for this habit. There can be a lot of other reasons behind your toddler’s annoying habit of picking their nose. However, anxiety is not the only reason your toddler chooses to pick his nose, as you can read below:

1. Boredom

Sometimes, picking the nose busts your toddler’s boredom. That they are so bored and are doing it just to entertain themselves. Since they do not have any other engaging activity for the moment, they may resort to picking their nose, just to feel the fun.

2. Mimicking

Your toddler might have seen someone else picking the nose. Most probably, elder siblings or other grownups at the household might have been seen picking the nose and your tiny tot might have gotten the idea from there.

3. Practical Reasons

When your toddler catches a cold, a heavy flow of mucus followed by the crusting occurs in the nose. This will urge them to touch it. The crusting can also occur from minor trauma or allergy. Once they find some fun in doing so, they will find it difficult to leave the nose alone even after the cold is gone.

4. Drying Out of Nasal Passage

Sometimes air-conditioning, traveling in a vehicle with open windows or several climatic changes can result in drying out your toddler’s nasal passage. This will again tempts them to pick the nose.

Is Nose Picking Harmful For Toddlers?

Nose picking is generally harmless but can lead to minor issues such as nose bleeding and bruises that can be painful for toddlers to handle calmly (3). This bad habit can also lead to nose infections if done vigorously with dirty hands. While typically a temporary behavior, it’s important to gently discourage it and encourage proper hygiene to prevent your toddler from potential problems. In case you find your toddler picking their nose too often, you can take care of certain significant points such as the ones discussed below:

If the crusting inside the nose is because of some trauma occurred, the complete healing of the wound will delay if the toddler always tends to pick the dried external crust
The chances of getting an infection increases as the toddler always puts their uncleaned finger inside the nose. This can spread infections like flu and colds
Picking is the most significant reason behind the nose bleeds found among toddlers
Picking the nose increases the risk of respiratory diseases, as the respiratory virus can pass from the hand to the nose easily (4)
Rubbing the eyes after picking the nose increases the chances of eye infection

How to Stop Nose Picking in Toddlers?

Yes, parents can help toddlers break this annoying habit of nose picking with patience and gentle guidance. Most toddlers leave this habit in due course of time. They outgrow the habit through playful educational programs as well (5). But, if the habit of picking the nose gets in the way of their everyday activities or the number of embarrassing (public) incidents increase, you should never hesitate to take action to encourage your tiny one to overcome the problematic behavior. Some of the tips are:

1. Wrapping The Finger

Wrap a bandage on the index finger. This will make it harder for your toddler to put the finger inside the nose. You may have to face tantrums, but slowly they understand the expected behavior.

2. Cut The Nails

Keep the finger nails clipped always. This will not allow to pick the nose as good as with a nailed finger and gradually they may lose interest in picking the nose (6).

3. Convincing Tactically

Convince your toddler that picking the nose publicly is not a right thing. You can build up a story of some other toddler who was hurt and was badly affected because of this annoying habit.

4. Make a Secret Signal

Create a warning signal like a secret code, preferably with the help of your toddler, to remind them to stop picking their nose the moment they start to do it. For this, closely watch them. Once they follow your signal and stop picking the boogies, praise them. After all, all of them like being appreciated.

5. Never Nag Your Kid

Never criticize or punish them for this habit. It could make them stick to it adamantly. Instead, pay more attention for their positive qualities.

6. Keep Your Child’s Finger Occupied

Give something in their hand like a smiley ball or toy car, or whatever they like; while they need to sit for some time, like watching TV or traveling. This will occupy their fingers and stop them picking their nostrils.

7. Insist on Hand Washing

Insist your toddler to wash their hand every time after picking the nose. This can benefit in two ways. The chances of getting an infection can get reduced because the frequently cleaned fingers seldom carry germs. Another benefit is that slowly your toddler will stop this habit because most of the toddlers don’t like to wash their hand frequently especially when they are in the middle of some activities.

8. Keep Nasal Passage Moist

Another way to reduce nose picking in toddlers is by keeping their nostrils moist and dry-free. You can use saline drops for this purpose. In doing so, dryness and itching gets reduced. Thus, the triggers related to physical issues in the nose are not present.

9. Check With The Doctor

If the habit is growing day by day, you can consult your toddler’s pediatrician. They will guide you to follow strategies that are tailored to your toddler’s needs. They can also recommend safe, effective methods to encourage healthier habits and prevent infections.

10. Check For Allergies

You should ensure your toddler isn’t experiencing allergies or nasal irritation. Check their nostrils for redness or swelling, you may use a humidifier and saline drops to keep nasal passages comfortable.

Nose picking is a normal part of growing up in a toddler’s life. This habit soon disappears as they grow up and get to engage in more interesting tasks. If not, they will definitely stop the habit or at least be motivated to stop it when another toddler points out how disgusting the behavior seems to be in public. Moreover, parents can help their toddlers overcome this habit by practicing good hygiene and consistent encouragement. Slowly, this shall pass just like any other developmental challenges.

FAQ’s

1. What is Nose Picking a Symptom of?

Nose picking can be a symptom of nasal irritation, a stress-buster in times of anxiety, or just a method to bust boredom. It indicates a self-soothing process that stimulates the skin and renders pleasure to the tiny tot. Sometimes, nose picking also indicates a new found fun for toddlers.

2. Can Nose Picking Increase Nostril Size?

No, nose picking does not increase the nostril size. This is just a misconception without any real facts associated with it. However, frequent or aggressive picking of the nostrils can cause irritation, minor injuries, or infections that might temporarily affect the appearance of the nostrils.

3. How to Remove Boogers From a Toddler’s Nose?

To remove boogers from a toddler’s nose, it is best to use a soft cloth to wipe them. Using a saline nasal drop can keep the nasal cavity moist and help to wipe the boogers easily. Parents can also use cotton swabs to prevent infection and spreading of germs.

4. How do I Get my 2-Year-Old to Stop Eating Boogers?

To stop your 2-year-old from eating boogers, explain to them gently that it’s unhygienic and dirty. They should not eat boogers because it carries germs and can upset their tummy. Moreover, encourage using tissues, keep their hands busy with toys or tasty bites and model good hygiene behaviors at home.

5. Is it Normal For a Toddler to Pick Their Nose?

Yes, it is normal for toddlers to pick their nose. As they try to explore their body, they may find it comforting to touch their nostrils and derive sensory pleasure out of the action. Sometimes, it also helps them to self-soothe their upsetting feelings.

6. Is Nose Picking a Disorder?

Nose picking itself is not a disorder, however, it can be an underlying symptom of any other physical disease or discomfort. If the problem persists despite your best efforts to make your toddler stop the undesirable behavior, you should consult an expert for further guidance.

References

Nathan J. Blum, in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (Fourth Edition), 2009 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/picking-behavior
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan Health – https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/bad-habits
Dr. Cindy Gellner, University of Utah Health – https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/kids-zone/all/2017/06/what-do-if-my-kids-nose-picker
Wertheim HFL, Kleef M van, Vos MC, Ott A, Verbrugh HA, Fokkens W. Nose Picking and Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 2006;27(8):863-867. doi:10.1086/506401 – https://shorturl.at/qH0aT
Costa P, Ermini T, Sigaud CHS. Effects of an educational playful intervention on nasal hygiene behaviors of preschoolers: a quasi-experimental study. Health Promot Perspect. 2019 Jan 23;9(1):50-54. doi: 10.15171/hpp.2019.06. PMID: 30788267; PMCID: PMC6377702. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6377702/
Nampons – https://nampons.com/blogs/articles/nose-picking-and-nosebleeds