Healthcare workers who engage in nose-picking may be more susceptible to contracting Covid-19, according to a recent study. The research suggests that these workers should be educated about the infection risk associated with this habit.
Researchers from The Netherlands noted that the role of nose-picking in spreading the virus might be underestimated. Notably, men and younger individuals were more likely to confess to this habit.
The study involved 219 participants, and the results showed that 17% of those who admitted to nose-picking tested positive for Covid-19, while only 6% of those who did not engage in this habit tested positive.
The survey, conducted in 2020 among healthcare workers at two university medical centers in The Netherlands, indicated that the majority (85%) admitted to picking their noses “at least incidentally” – meaning somewhere between monthly, weekly, and daily.
Doctors were found to be the most frequent nose-pickers, with 95% admitting to the habit, followed by support staff (86%) and nurses (80%).
The researchers explained that since the nose is a primary route for the coronavirus to enter the body, nose-picking could facilitate infection by introducing virus particles directly from the hands into the nose. Furthermore, nose-picking could increase the transmission of the virus to other individuals.
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Interestingly, the study found that nail-biting, having a beard, or wearing glasses did not affect the likelihood of testing positive for Covid-19.
Even before symptoms develop, the moist tissues lining the nose are likely to contain a significant amount of the virus in the days after becoming infected. Consequently, infected healthcare workers who engage in nose-picking might contaminate their work environment, leading to further transmission.
Education and awareness about the risks associated with nose-picking could help reduce the spread of Covid-19 among healthcare workers and their patients.
This news was first published at bbc.com.
