Expert warns on dangers of nose-picking

A public health physician with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS),Abuja, Dr Baba Ahmed, has cautioned members of the public against nose-picking, warning that such habit could predispose them to upper respiratory tract infection.

Ahmed stated that the respiratory tract has cilia, which could filter germs to prevent the growth of organisms.

Cilia are hair-like structures found in the respiratory tract where they help to move bacteria and mucous away from the lungs.

He said that burning of waste close to the house, dust; cold or very hot air and injured nose could cause organisms’ growth in the upper respiratory tracts.

Ahmed also affirmed that social habits like, smoking could cause the lining of the upper respiratory tract to be prone to infection.

According to him, a change in temperature could also distort the normal function of the pressure in the humidity of the nasal canal, adding that, “The respiratory tract is a system of two wings collection of tubes of various sizes, which starts from the openings of the nose deep into the lungs.”

He said, “Naturally, the respiratory tracts, just like any other opening in the body, have protective layers around it. For the respiratory tract, it has a lining that covers it; secreting certain substances.

“Again, it has cilia; hair-like structures so that it can trap out things; so, if the condition is not conducive for the trapped, it will react.

“Most of the reactions are protective mechanism to prevent penetration of certain organisms, because the positioning of the upper respiratory tract makes it prone to injury.”

He revealed that the upper respiratory tract shares communication within and outside the body; hence, it could be prone to infection, because of the openings at the tracts.

“This means for one to breathe in air, it must pass through the openings which are modified to serve different purposes such as filtering and warming the air.

According to Ahmed, upper respiratory tract infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi and other parasitic agents.

He said that upper respiratory tract infections were characterised with catarrh or nasal congestion and cough, saying, “if there is a bacterial infection, fever may occur.”

Ahmed said that in the air, there were many organisms, which could not be seen with the eyes and could pass into the body through the upper respiratory tract; and called for proper personal hygiene, saying, “people need to take care of themselves because, no one can decide on what to inhale at any given time.’’