Nose picking is surprisingly common across all demographics, but aggressively digging for gold can actually introduce lethal bacteria directly into your brain.

A closer look

Nose picking is surprisingly common across all demographics, but aggressively digging for gold can actually introduce lethal bacteria directly into your brain. The triangle of death on your face, extending from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth, contains blood vessels that drain directly to the cavernous sinus at the base of the skull. Introducing staph bacteria from your dirty fingernails into a raw nasal scratch can technically trigger a massive, fatal cranial infection. Despite this horrifying anatomical vulnerability, people still risk their lives at red lights just to extract a slightly uncomfortable piece of dried mucus. It is the ultimate high-stakes gamble for minor physical relief