1. Blow Them Out
Blowing your nose is a better bet than trying to pick out dry boogers, Kelly says. Grabbing a scab could potentially injure your nasal lining and cause bleeding, not to mention introduce germs into your nasal cavity that can make you sick.
2. Use a Rinse
If you’ve got a dry booger lodged in your nostril, softening and hydrating the crust can help it come out more easily. A nasal saline rinse or spray, or inhaling steam from the shower, should do the trick, per Harvard Health Publishing.
For crust around the edge of your nostril, try applying a warm, moist washcloth to your nose for a few minutes, says the National Institutes of Health.
3. Humidify Your Space
As for keeping those crusties from coming back? Be proactive about keeping your nasal passages well hydrated, Kelly recommends. Run a humidifier at 30 to 50 percent humidity to add more moisture to your indoor air, according to MedlinePlus.
You can also get in the habit of adding moisture to your nostrils with a nasal saline spray, which has the added benefit of clearing out mucus before it has the chance to crust.
4. Stay Hydrated
Finally? Drink plenty of water. The more H2O that goes into your body, the more that’s available to help those nostrils stay moist and comfortable, says Harvard Health Publishing.
