25 Booger Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Posted by , Updated on February 8, 2024

Boogers are strange things. Coming in many colors and forms, they perplex people of all ages. For some, they’re pesky irritations begging to be removed with a finger. They can also be quite troublesome when the flu strikes and your nose won’t stop running. Whatever the case may be, it seems like boogers were made to drive you crazy, but as we’ll discover, they’re more beneficial than you think. So, what are boogers, exactly? Grab a tissue, and read our list of 25 Booger Facts You Probably Didn’t Know.

25

What are boogers?

snotSource: http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/booger.html

Also called snot, a booger can come in many forms, including a solid or a liquid. While you probably know it comes out of your nose, it also can be found in your intestines as well.

24

What's the difference between boogers and broccoli?

broccoliSource: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-08-18/features/9203150515_1_kidnews-jokes-mooning

Children won’t eat broccoli.

23

Is there a scientific word for booger?

microscopeSource: http://www.craveonline.com/mandatory/1066533-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-boogers

There isn’t! However, there is a scientific word for nose picking. It’s called “rhinotillexomania.”

22

Is it bad to eat your boogers?

nose pickingSource: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/05/05/eating-bogies-good-teeth-overall-health-scientists-conclude/

Actually, eating your boogers, many scientists have concluded, is good for your teeth and digestion. Researchers at Harvard and the University of Saskatchewan discovered eating snot can help prevent bacteria from forming on your teeth and defend against respiratory infections, stomach ulcers, and even HIV. So, get eating!

21

Why do boogers get hard?

woman sneezingSource: http://www.healthhype.com/dried-nasal-mucus-hard-mucus-in-the-nose-and-rhinoliths-stones.html

The mucus lining your nose eventually gets hard because, as you breathe, the air that flows through your nose dries it. This can increase due to dry climates, dehydration, and even air conditioned rooms.

20

How many germs are in a sneeze?

sneezeSource: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/11-surprising-sneezing-facts

A sneeze is part of your nervous system to expel germs from your body. So, when you sneeze, you’re blowing plenty of bacteria into the air. How many germs are in one sneeze? 100,000. Do everyone a favor and cover your mouth.

19

How do I prevent boogers?

sneezingSource: http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Nostrils

The only real way to prevent boogers from forming is to not get sick. Wash your hands, and stay clear of someone who may have a cold or illness. If you’re trying to slow boogers, some use a Neti pot to flush out their sinuses, nasal sprays, or the good old fashion blowing your nose frequently.

18

Should you not wipe boogers on medical equipment?

ambulanceSource: http://io9.gizmodo.com/boogers-myths-and-facts-1456033776

Technically, you shouldn’t wipe boogers on anything but a tissue. However, believe it or not, the substance inside your mucus is called mucin. Researchers believe mucin is so effective at repelling germs, they’ve considered using it as a coating on medical equipment.

17

Why are some boogers sticky?

hikerSource: http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/question81.htm

Boogers are mostly made of water and mucin, that bacteria repelling material scientists love so much. It’s the mucin which makes your boogers sticky and so effective against the germs.

16

Will eating chicken soup help my boogers?

chicken noodleSource: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3371839/Why-chicken-soup-really-help-cure-cold-Comforting-broth-clears-congestion-helps-immune-fight-infection.html

Yes! Studies have shown that chicken soup helps with a congested nose and reduces mucus in the lungs.

15

Why are boogers green?

boogersSource: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/06/what-the-color-of-your-snot-really-means/

The color of your boogers actually tells you what stage of illness you are in. Ranging from clear to black, the color of your boogers says a lot. If the mucus is green, then your immune system is fighting hard and means it’s full of white blood cells.

14

How fast is a sneeze?

fast sneezeSource: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/11-surprising-sneezing-facts

A sneeze is quite fast. One sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour.

13

How many people pick their nose a day?

nose picking babySource: http://www.boogiewipes.com/booger-facts/

1 of 4 people pick their nose a day, and 1 of 5 pick their nose five times a day!

12

How long does a virus live inside my boogers?

virusSource: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-long-do-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body.aspx

How long a virus lives depends on many different factors. However, the flu virus and other commons viruses can last up to 24 hours on a hard surface. So, if you’re sick, be sure to clean hard surfaces and wash your hands frequently.

11

Is picking my boogers bad for me?

nose picking 3Source: http://lifehacker.com/why-you-probably-shouldnt-pick-your-nose-1785613160

While eating your boogers might be good for you, picking your nose can still make you susceptible to germs and bacteria that want to call your nose home.

10

Why do I get so many boogers?

many boogersSource: https://www.livescience.com/54745-why-do-i-have-so-much-snot.html

If your nose is generating tons of mucus, it is likely you caught a bug and your body is trying to protect you from it. Your body can produce up to a liter of mucus a day. So, it’s not unusual to feel like you’re a never ending faucet of snot.

9

Why do I get boogers when I cry?

cryingSource: http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/nose-run.html

Under your eyelids, tears come out of your tear glands when you cry. They drain through the tear ducts and into your nose. The water then forms with the mucus and makes your nose runny. Extra blood flow will also create more mucus. Once it dries, it’ll create hard boogers.

8

Do boogers come from my brain?

brainSource: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080517162241AAqOPEV

In short, no, boogers do not come from your brain.

7

Where do boogers come from?

big noseSource: http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/boogers-form-in-nose.htm

The lining in your nostrils and sinuses are called epithelium. In order to prevent infection and keep out foreign invaders, this lining produces the mucus. The mucus also sticks to tiny hairs called cilia which move it to the back of the throat or out of the nose.

6

Why does my nose run when its cold outside?

walkSource: http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/nose-run.html

When you breathe in air, your nose tries to warm up that air the best it can before it enters your lungs. In order to do that, your blood vessels need to dilate. With extra blood flow pumping up in your nose, it produces more mucus which, of course, creates a runny nose.

5

Do boogers have any nutritional value?

NutritionSource: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/from-my-nose-booger-368807301

Kinda. While they aren’t a great source of nutrition, 1 booger equals 20 calories, 5 mg of sodium, 3 g of protein, 5% vitamin C, and 25% iron.

4

Why are boogers slimy?

booger noseSource: http://mentalfloss.com/article/72215/why-are-there-boogers-my-nose

As we’ve stated previously, boogers are the result of mucus. If you break down the mucus, it’s made of 95% water, 3% mucin, and 2% of things like protein and salt. These properties, plus if you’re fighting an infection, can make it slimy.

3

Why are my boogers red?

red boogersSource: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/bloody-nose

If you have red boogers, then it means blood is mixing with the mucus due to a cracked mucus membrane and exposed blood vessels. This can be caused for a number of reasons. So, it’s never a bad idea to get it checked out by a medical professional.

2

Should I remove my toddler's boogers?

girlSource: http://childrensmd.org/uncategorized/its-ok-for-your-child-to-pick-his-nose-really/

As we stated earlier, studies show eating boogers might be good for them. Unless the mucus has gotten out of hand and makes it hard to breathe, there’s really no reason to remove the boogers yourself. Let them do it. Help them blow their nose, or if you have concerns, speak to your pediatrician.

1

What is the most valuable booger?

scarlett johanssonSource: http://people.com/celebrity/expensive-celebrity-items-at-auction/

Believe it or not, celebrities are human too and have just as much mucus as everyone else. Scarlet Johansson blew her nose on The Tonight Show, put the tissue in a bag, signed it, and sold it on eBay for $5,300. That’s one expensive bag of snot!



Photo: 25. Steve Snodgrass via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 24. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 23. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 22. Matt via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 21. Wikipedia Commons.com (Public Domain), 20. GorillaSushi via flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0, 19. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 18. Wikipedia Commons.com (Public Domain), 17. Joe Goldberg via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 16. Debs (ò‿ó)♪ from Bellevue, WA, USA, Chicken noodle soup, CC BY 2.0, 15. TORLEY via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 14. Tina Franklin via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 13. quinn norton via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 12. biology pop, Cellular-virus-wallpaper, CC BY-SA 4.0, 11. Britt Selvitelle via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 10. William Brawley via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 9. ThoroughlyReviewed via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 8. Allan Ajifo, Brain 01, CC BY 2.0, 7. Jeremie63, Nose, CC BY-SA 3.0, 6. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 5. anonymous, Nutrition, CC BY-SA 3.0, 4. TORLEY via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 3. Pexels.com (Public Domain), 2. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 1. Paul Bird, Scarlett Johansson 2, 2012, CC BY 2.0