An ENT Surgeon’s 5 Everyday Habits She’d Never Do

We all have those little quirks that feel harmless at the moment: a quick dip of the morning coffee, a stray booger pick, or a snap‑on metal brush for the grill after a barbecue. Most of us never pause to wonder if any of those habits could be quietly eroding the delicate tissues of our nose or throat. Dr. Tonia L. Farmer, a board‑certified ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, decided to shine a light on the practices she would never repeat — and she explains why.

1. Plucking or waxing nose hairs

It might look tidy, but those fine hairs serve a real purpose. They act as a first line of defense, trapping dust, pollen and tiny particles before they sneak deeper into the airway. Pulling them out with tweezers or hot wax can create tiny open wounds that become breeding grounds for bacteria. Infections such as nasal vestibulitis—or, in rare cases, a serious cavernous sinus thrombosis that spreads toward the brain—can arise from an ingrown hair that turns infected. Dr. Farmer recommends simply trimming any visible hairs with rounded‑tip scissors or an electric nose trimmer. It keeps the line of protection intact while still looking neat.

2. Skipping a rinse after using a steroid inhaler

For anyone with asthma or COPD, inhalers are a lifeline. But when you use a steroid‑containing inhaler (think Advair, Flovent, or similar combos), a quick swish‑and‑spit of water afterward can spare you from an uncomfortable yeast infection in the mouth or throat. The leftover medication can linger, feeding fungus that leads to thrush, a hoarse voice, or a sore throat. A brief rinse isn’t required after a rescue inhaler like albuterol unless it’s part of a steroid blend.

3. Popping pimples in the “danger triangle” of the face

The triangular zone that stretches from the corners of your mouth up to the bridge of the nose is more than just a cosmetic concern. Its veins lack valves and connect directly to the cavernous sinus, a large venous cavity sitting behind the eyes and near the brain. Squeezing a pimple or picking at a sore in that area can shove bacteria straight into the bloodstream. Though rare, this can lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, brain abscesses, or even vision loss. The safest route? Keep hands away from that spot.

4. Snorting recreational drugs

Beyond the obvious legal and health risks, snorting substances like cocaine can literally perforate the nasal septum—the cartilage and bone that separates the two nostrils. Chronic use erodes the mucosal lining, and over time the cartilage can collapse, leaving the nose deformed and the airway compromised. It’s a stark reminder that the short‑term high can leave a permanent scar.

5. Using metal grill brushes

Grilling season brings out the metal‑wire brushes that make a sizzling skillet look brand new. Unfortunately, those tiny metal bristles can break off, hitch a ride onto your food, and later lodge in the throat. Dr. Farmer has actually removed stray bristles from patients in the operating room. A 2026 study noted more than 5,000 emergency‑room visits in the U.S. over a two‑year span linked to swallowed or inhaled metal bristles. Safer alternatives include plant‑based brushes, pumice stones, nylon‑grit pads, or even a simple wooden scraper.

These five habits might seem trivial, but they each have the potential to cause discomfort, infection, or even serious complications. The good news? Simple swaps—trimming instead of plucking, rinsing after inhalers, keeping fingers off the danger triangle, avoiding snorting, and opting for non‑metal grill tools—can protect the delicate lining of your nose and throat without any sacrifice to convenience.

Next time you reach for that metal brush or consider plucking that stray nose hair, remember Dr. Farmer’s advice. A tiny change today can keep your airway healthy for years to come.