It's a common habit among youngsters, and more than a few adults are guilty of it too. Picking your nose may not be the most socially acceptable habit, but it can feel good in the moment.

But, as well as being a bit unsightly, one expert has claimed sticking your finger up one of your nostrils can have an unexpected side-effect. Exhale Sinus, which provides advice for issues with sinuses, sleep, headaches, and migraines, posted a video on TikTok explaining.

Speaking in the video, ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist Dr Ryan Vaughn said picking your nose can actually make it bigger. He said: "If you actually pick your nose you can start to push your septal cartilage over and you can start to reshape the lower lateral cartilages.

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"You won't move the bone, but you'll actually create more space, at least on one side."

Commenters were divided on the video, with many saying they were sceptical about the claims. One said: "There’s no evidence that picking your nose makes it bigger.

"Normal finger pressure doesn’t reshape nasal cartilage. At most, aggressive picking can cause irritation or injury, not growth or enlargement."

Another wrote: "No, picking your nose doesn't inherently make it bigger like a muscle, as cartilage isn't easily reshaped by this habit.

"However, severe, chronic picking could potentially stretch nostrils or damage tissue over time, but it's more likely to cause infections, nosebleeds, or even septum issues than significant size change, with genetics and underlying conditions being primary size factors."

A different user wrote: "I’ve been pickin my nose for 30 years. This ain’t true." And someone else said: "That sucks but I’m not gonna stop picking my nose."

According to heathline, picking your nose is "unlikely to cause you any serious problems". But, it added, it could cause issues such as infections caused by tiny cuts left by fingernails and nosebleeds.

Studies have also shown people who pick their noses can spread germs to others, with one showing this is responsible for a large number of cases of pneumonia.

healthline also said frequent of repetitive picking can damage the nasal cavity, which can cause inflammation and swelling, adding: "Over time this may narrow the nostril openings".

And it warned it can also damage the septum, the portion of bone and cartilage dividing the right and left nostril.

One TikTok user had a simple solution, saying: "Joke's on you, I pick both nostrils evenly."