Effects on mucous membranes. Octopus is the general name for 252 species of marine molluscs in 26 genera of the family Octopus. Picking your nose with the hands that have touched an octopus may have some impact on the nasal mucosa and lead to bacterial and viral infection. Nostril refers to the external opening of the nose, generally referring to the front part of the nasal fossa with the external opening of the nose.