Nose Picking: Is It A Sin?

Sara broke the news to me the other day that picking your nose can make you sick - not because you get germs on your fingers, but because you get germs in your nose, the ultimate make-out spot for them. Now, I was really resistant to believe her, so I posed this proposterous proposition to another friend of mine who confirmed what she had said. So it has to be true.

First of all, I have to wonder if the benefit outweighs the consequence here (could you endure two colds a year for countless hours of picking your nose).

Second of all, if picking your nose ultimately harms "your temple," is it a sin? It's snot listed as one in the Bible, but I'd think anything that potentially damages your body is sinful. If it is a sin to pick your nose, is it still even if you wash your hands before and after doing the deed? I'm not sure I'd go on picking my nose (if that were indeed a habit of mine) if I had to wash up before and after. And what if you do it in moderation? And is shaking hands a sin? That can cause illness. Maybe that's why we're supposed to greet each other with a holy kiss. Did Jesus pick His nose?

GAH! Can I not even pick my nose without feeling guilty? What are your thoughts on this?

At any rate, here are some facts and illustrations you may or may not know about colds and cold viruses, along with some commentary:

Cold viruses grow mainly in the nose where they multiply in nasal cells and are present in large quantities in the nasal fluid of people with colds.

The highest concentration of cold virus in nasal secretions occurs during the first three days of infection. This is when infected persons are most contagious.

Cold viruses may at times be present in the droplets that are expelled in coughs and sneezes.

Nasal secretions containing cold viruses contaminate the hands of people with colds as a result of nose blowing, covering sneezes, and touching the nose.Also, cold viruses may contaminate objects and surfaces in the environment of a cold sufferer.

Young children are the major reservoir of cold viruses and a particularly good source of virus containing nasal secretions. (This is why you should NOT have children. Very dangerous.)

Experiments have demonstrated that a cold virus readily transfers from the skin and hands of a cold sufferer to the hands and fingers of another person during periods of brief contact. Also, cold viruses readily transfer to the hands as a result of touching contaminated objects and surfaces.

(This is the sad part:)
Virus on the fingers is transferred into the nose and eye by finger-to-nose and finger-to-eye contact. Virus deposited in the eye promptly goes down the tear duct into the nose. Once in the nose, a cold virus is transported by mucociliary action to the adenoid area where it starts a cold. In some instances, cold virus, which is expelled into the air in coughs and sneezes, may land in the nose or eye and cause infection.

The end.