What fate awaits the booger?

March 26, 2004 12:02 PM

Inspired by this thread, I have a question: what happens to boogers after they leave one's nose? If I left a booger on a kleenex for days, what would I see happen? Would it just stay... forever, or until a cat or a spider or something ate it? Or would it... evaporate eventually?
posted by evinrude to health & fitness (9 comments total)

Why don't you do the experiment and report back to us?
posted by five fresh fish at 12:12 PM on March 26, 2004

They sort of dry out after a while, and crust over.
posted by angry modem at 12:18 PM on March 26, 2004

I think they turn to dust. Maybe dust mites eat them then. Mmm.
posted by Shane at 12:39 PM on March 26, 2004

Mucus, like jellyfish, are mostly water. Leave a wet goober out for a while and the water will evaporate, leaving behind mucus solids and whatever else was in your nose (dust, dander, dirt, etc -- there could also be food in it, depending on how recently you ate, and how far back you reached to get the goober).
posted by o2b at 12:45 PM on March 26, 2004

I don't think cats eat boogers.
posted by birdherder at 12:53 PM on March 26, 2004

We just picked up some Purina Brand Voles, Boogers, and Grasshopper Flavor mix. Our cat loves it!
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:02 PM on March 26, 2004

Thanks everyone! The drying-out, crusting-over makes sense to me. I wish I had phrased the question differently so as to receive some scientific analysis, like why, chemically, this happens; but oh well. Live and learn.
posted by evinrude at 8:24 PM on March 26, 2004

I don't think cats eat boogers.

Oh yes they do, I'm ashamed to admit. (Forgive me. I was a drunken teen.)
posted by jpoulos at 10:05 PM on March 26, 2004

wasn't there a link on mefi way back about the content of nasal mucus? iirc it's sugars and stuff.
posted by andrew cooke at 5:42 AM on March 27, 2004