How to Get Rid of Hard, Dry Boogers

Anyone who's ever struggled to blow out a stubborn, stuck-on blob of snot from their nose has felt a pang of frustration when their booger simply won't budge. And sometimes they’re even painful as you try to remove them.

If you regularly get hard, dry boogers, you might be wondering why they form and how to get them out of your nose (hint: picking is not the answer!).

Here, Philip Chen, MD, associate professor of otolaryngology and rhinology at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, explains why you get those hard boogers and suggests safe ways to remove them — plus, how to prevent them in the first place.

What Causes Hard, Dry Boogers?

Boogers are made of mucus.

“Mucus is a very important bodily liquid that coats the lining of the aerodigestive system (i.e., nose, sinuses, mouth, stomach, etc.), which acts to trap foreign substances like dirt, bacteria, and pollutants that we don't want in the body,” Dr. Chen says. “It also contains antibodies to help fight off infection.”

The mucus then carries that trapped bacteria and dirt down your throat, through your stomach, and out your other end, according to the National Institutes of Health. You don't usually notice this steady stream of snot because you swallow most of it, Chen says.

But breathing and other factors can dry out the mucus that's left in your nose. And when that mucus clumps together with dirt and other debris, it forms a hard, dry booger, according to Nemours KidsHealth.

“We all produce boogers, and, really, the longer they've been there, the longer time they have to dry out,” Chen says.

Having boogers is totally natural and rarely anything to be worried about, he says. That said, you should contact your doctor if your mucus is looking consistently yellow or green and especially if it’s thicker than usual, since that might mean you have an infection, according to OSF HealthCare.

Here’s what might lead to hard, dry boogers.

Dry Air

For starters, where you live can be a major cause of hard snot. For example, nose crusts can build up faster in dry environments versus humid climates, Chen says.

That's because dry air can irritate your nasal passages, according to OSF HealthCare. When this happens, your body may produce even more mucus to make up for the dryness. And the more mucus you have, the more likely some of it will dry out and boogers will form.

Similarly, during wintertime, indoor heating minimizes the moisture in the air, according to American SPCC. This also may lead to hard, dry snot.

Allergies

Although you might associate allergies with a runny, drippy nose, they can also lead to solid, stiff snot. This is because allergies often result in more mucus production, Chen says. And again, more mucus equals more potential for snot to dry out in your nose.

Certain Medications

What you put in your body can also up your odds of forming hard boogers. Medications like antihistamines, for example, can dry out the nose, which can result in more hard, dry boogers, Chen says.

Is It Safe to Pick Your Nose to Remove Them?

The short answer is not really.

“Avoid [picking] when possible,” Chen says.

For one, you can introduce more germs into your nose via your fingers or push already existing germs further into your body.

In fact, a small, older study suggests that picking or rubbing at your nose (basically, coming into contact with boogers) can spread germs like pneumonia-causing bacteria.

Or, conversely, your boogers (which are germ traps) can transfer bacteria to your hands — and then to your mouth or eyes if you touch them before washing your hands, according to ENT and Allergy Associates LLP.

Not to mention, sometimes those persistent pieces of dried snot are really stuck up there, out of your finger's reach. While you may be tempted to fish them out with a cotton swab, resist the urge. Placing long objects up your nose can cause nosebleeds or other problems, Chen says.

Hard boogers tend to hang onto your nose hairs, so plucking them out can be painful, too. You might also tear off a tender piece of skin inside your nose while you’re at it. And damaging the lining of your nose may make it easier for bacteria and viruses to head up toward your brain, according to a study in mice.

What’s the Best Way to Remove Hard, Dry Boogers?

When it comes to removing hard, clingy boogers, you can try loosening them through rinsing.

“Saline-based nasal treatments are the safest and probably most effective interventions,” Chen says.

You can buy an over-the-counter mist or spray, which can help moisten dry mucus, Chen says. Gels have a thicker consistency and can coat your nose, moistening it for a longer time than sprays, he says.

Saline irrigation methods, like the neti pot, may also work for cleaning the nose and sweeping away dried snot.

“Be sure to keep these devices clean and don't share with anyone else,” Chen says. And make sure to use distilled or sterilized water when preparing your saline solution, according to Mayo Clinic.

You can also try moistening your nasal lining with a small amount of petroleum jelly. This is generally safe, though with persistent use, it may build up in your lungs over time, according to Mayo Clinic. So while you might dab it on every once in a while, try to avoid overusing it.

How Do You Prevent Hard, Dry Boogers?

Because your snot serves an important protective purpose (remember, it traps irritants like dirt or bacteria), you don't want to prevent your body from producing boogers altogether.

Still, there are simple steps you can take to keep your mucus moist and prevent persistently hard, dry boogers. Try these expert-approved techniques:

• Use a humidifier. By adding moisture to the air, a humidifier can help decrease formation of hard, dry crusts in your nose, Chen says.
• Drink plenty of water. If you're dehydrated, your mucus may be dry, too. Staying well hydrated might help keep your mucus moist and flowing, Chen says.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Both of these habits can have a drying effect on your nasal passages, according to Sjögren’s Foundation.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

If at-home remedies don't help decrease the frequency or amount of your hard, dry boogers, you should have a discussion with your doctor, Chen says.

The doctor can examine your nose to determine the cause, then work with you to determine the best treatment.

For example, if you're taking any medicines that lead to nasal dryness, your doctor may prescribe you a different drug or dose.

Your doctor may also choose to evaluate you for other underlying health issues. In some cases, health conditions, such as certain autoimmune diseases, can cause or contribute to nose crusting, Chen says.

What's more, anatomic issues (the way your nose is built) may make it difficult for boogers to pass through your nose, he says. If the issue is severe enough, your doctor may propose surgery.