How Do You Get a Pimple Inside Your Nose?

Acne (Acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition that presents as pimples on the body or face. When tiny pores on the skin become clogged with dead skin cells and sebum (oil), pimples appear as lesions on the skin's surface. Pimples are common on the face and parts of the body like the chest and back, but they can also form on the inside of the nose.

A pimple inside the nose can be uncomfortable, but it is usually a harmless and minor occurrence. You can treat it at home, and in some cases, it will go away on its own. Acne commonly occurs in teenagers but can also affect infants and adults.

Symptoms

If you have a pimple in your nose, you may notice a raised bump and feel some discomfort, pain, or tenderness around the area. A pimple in the nose may appear as:

• Inflamed papules or pustules: The pimples inside your nose may appear as inflamed papules (raised spots less than 1 centimeter wide) or pustules, which are pimples filled with white or yellow pus. Pustules may also appear red at the base.
• Whiteheads or blackheads: The acne in your nose may be comedones, which are small flesh-colored, white, or dark bumps that are rough in texture. Open comedones are commonly known as blackheads, while closed comedones are known as whiteheads.
• Infection symptoms: Certain infections, such as Nasal vestibulitis, can cause thick, yellow crusting, severe pain, swelling, and redness of the nasal vestibule (the area inside the nostril that enters the nasal cavity) and tip of the nose. The infection may result in small pimples, bumps, or boils in the nose.

What Causes a Pimple To Form Inside the Nose?

Some common causes of a pimple inside the nose include acne and infected or inflamed hair follicles. Infections local to the nose can also cause pimple-like symptoms.

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition caused by clogged pores. When the pores inside the nose become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, pimples can form as inflamed lesions. Sometimes, these lesions may appear red at the base or be filled with pus.

Nasal Vestibulitis

Nasal vestibulitis is a common infection of the upper inner nostril. It occurs when bacteria enter the nose from minor trauma, such as plucking nose hairs, blowing, picking, nasal steroid therapy, or nose piercings. People who have diabetes or are immunocompromised may also be at a higher risk for infections like Nasal vestibulitis.

A research review found that the most common bacterial infection associated with Nasal vestibulitis was MSSA, an infection from methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

The risk of complications from Nasal vestibulitis is very low if the infection is treated. To avoid complications, it's important to see a healthcare provider right away for antibiotic or topical (applied to the skin) treatment. Complications can include hospitalization or intracranial infection (a serious infection of the central nervous system).

Folliculitis

Inflammatory conditions such as folliculitis or Pseudofolliculitis corporis can cause pimple-like lesions inside the nose. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed, causing a pustule or red papule to form. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of folliculitis, but fungi or viruses can also cause the condition.

Pseudofolliculitis mainly affects the beard area, but it can affect any area of skin, including in the nose. It can occur when the skin becomes irritated or inflamed from hair removal methods, such as plucking or cutting nose hairs. Nose picking or aggressive nose blowing or rubbing can also increase the risk of inflammation.

Nasal Furunculosis

Nasal vestibular furunculosis, or Nasal furunculosis, is a localized bacterial infection of the hair follicle of the nasal vestibule, occurring deeper in the skin than folliculitis. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can cause the infection. Furunculosis can affect both adults and children.

Symptoms include painful swelling in the nostril and redness on the nose. Sometimes, a boil may form in the nostril, which is called a nasal furuncle.

Nasal furunculosis can also occur as a secondary infection to upper respiratory infections or as a result of frequent nose picking.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose a pimple inside the nose by performing a physical exam of your nose and asking you questions about your symptoms. If acne is the cause, they may refer you to a dermatologist, a medical doctor specializing in skin conditions.

If your provider suspects an infection is causing your nose pimple, they may order certain diagnostic tests. This might include taking a swab of your inner nostril to test for bacteria. In more serious cases, they may request imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans of the head to better view your sinuses.

Treatments

It's important to treat a pimple inside the nose promptly to prevent bacteria from spreading and relieve discomfort or pain. In most cases, you can treat the pimple at home with self-care and over-the-counter products. It might also go away on its own. However, if an infection is the cause, you may need to seek treatment from a healthcare provider.

Some possible ways to treat a pimple inside the nose at home include:

• Hold a warm compress to the nose for up to 15 minutes several times per day.
• Gently clean the area around your nose with mild soap and warm water. Try to keep the area clean and dry.
• Dab the pimple with essential oils that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, such as tea tree, rosemary, or thyme. Studies show these types of oils may help get rid of pimples and other types of acne. To avoid irritation, dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, before applying them to your skin.
• Apply acne treatments like topical retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid
• Avoid popping the pimple, as this may spread bacteria.

Your healthcare provider can prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. If the infection is severe, your provider may need to administer antibiotics intravenously (into the veins).

How To Prevent a Pimple Inside the Nose

While it is not possible to completely prevent a pimple from forming inside the nose, there are ways you can reduce your chances. Try the following tips to prevent a pimple from forming:

• Manage your stress levels by doing activities you enjoy or trying relaxation techniques like meditation or breathwork. Research has found an association between acne flare-ups and higher stress levels, so focus on managing daily stressors with mindful lifestyle habits and practices.
  
• Avoid picking your nose.
• Avoid blowing your nose too hard or too often.
• Wash your hands and keep your hands off your face and nose as much as possible to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Related Complications

While a pimple in the nose is not usually harmful, complications can occur if a bacterial infection, such as Nasal vestibulitis or Nasal furunculosis, causes the pimple.

Research shows that Nasal vestibulitis is commonly accompanied by mid-face cellulitis (a bacterial infection of the facial skin) or an abscess (a bump filled with pus) in the nasal vestibule. If these complications occur, it's crucial to see a healthcare provider to get antibiotic treatment for cellulitis or have the abscess drained.

If nasal furuncles, or hair follicle infections, are left untreated or are not treated properly, facial cellulitis or cavernous sinus thrombosis can result. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a life-threatening condition that leads to decreased drainage from the facial and eye veins. Symptoms include fever, eye swelling, eye muscle pain, loss of vision, and headache.

Most nasal pimples will resolve on their own or improve with self-care at home. However, if the pimple shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pain, or you experience vision changes, fever, or headache, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

A Quick Review

A pimple in the nose can be uncomfortable, but it's usually not a cause for concern. Acne is a common cause of a pimple in the nose. Bacterial infections such as Nasal vestibulitis or inflammatory conditions such as folliculitis can also cause nasal pimples to form.

In most cases, you can treat a pimple in the nose at home with self-care methods. If you think your pimple has become infected or if you are experiencing severe pain, see a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.