By Annette Pinder

Lisa Rappaport, in writing an article for Everyday Health, discussed a new study in mice which suggests that picking your nose or plucking your nose hairs aggressively might increase your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

The mouse study found that Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria can travel along a nerve running from the nasal cavity into the brain and infect the central nervous system. The bacteria is a key marker for developing amyloid beta protein deposits associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. James St. John, who led the study, says, “We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans.” During the study, researchers contaminated the nasal passages of two sets of mice. One set of mice suffered from skin damage inside their nasal passages, while the other set had healthy tissue. Although the C. pneumoniae traveled to the brain in both sets of mice, it appeared to invade the brain more easily and quickly in mice with damaged tissue inside their nasal passages (caused by nose-picking and nose hair plucking). Dr. St. John says this showed that protecting the skin inside the nose from damage may help limit transmission of bacteria to the brain.

It is important to note that the study was not conducted on humans. Additionally, while some older research has revealed an association between C. pneumoniae and Alzheimer’s disease, no research to date has proven with certainty that inhaling C. pneumoniae bacteria causes Alzheimer’s. Still, Dr. St. John says the best way to prevent C. pneumoniae bacteria is to maintain good hygiene practices recommended for the prevention of all respiratory diseases, including frequent handwashing and refraining from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.