Will I For Sure Get An Infection?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Jul 2020 Answered on

Thu, 4 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I haven’t been picking nose because of covid so I get a dry nose, I pulled a large booger out of my nose and it has a couple hairs on it. Will I for sure get an infection? Scared..

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably you will not get an infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I can't say for sure that you will get an infection by picking the nose.
The fact that bleeding didn't happen is a good fact.
Rinse nose with saline solution to clean it and remove possible bacteria.
I don't think you are going to get an infection.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 hours later)

Hello Dr. Olgeta Xhufka,

Thank you for your response. Well the booger was actually a bloody booger and there might have been a tiny blood spot when I wiped it after. It could have already been there. My nose has been bleeding because it’s so dry.

More information: Before I removed this hard mucus I wet a tissue with saline and then I picked it out with a tissue not my finger. After I picked it out I kept putting saline in the area to clean it but I’m still worried. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think that it will cause an infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I don't think that it will get an infection.
It is good that you used saline water because it will flush bacteria out.
You don't have to be scared.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad