Is That a Pimple in Your Nose? Here’s How to Tell—and How to Get Rid of It
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A pimple inside the nose can be downright uncomfortable—painful, even. After spotting the problem, it’s normal to immediately look up how to get rid of a pimple inside the nose. Treating these pesky blemishes often requires a different approach than a typical case of chin acne or back acne.
A pimple in the nose is understandably annoying and uncomfortable, but it may not be cause for concern. “While it’s not necessarily concerning, it is important to have it checked out if it doesn’t go away,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. “Given the location in the nose [which] can sometimes be hard to see, it’s best to see someone who can help to evaluate it and determine what it is.”
Meet the experts: Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC; and Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
After all, it might not actually be a pimple. And if it’s not, the method for getting rid of that painful bump might look different than typical acne treatments. Ahead, find out how to identify what’s going on in your nose, how to get rid of a pimple in your nose, and more.
What causes a pimple inside your nose?
According to Dr. Garshick and Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ., the most common causes of a pimple or other bump inside the nose include:
Inflammation of the hair follicles in the nose
Clogged pores or oil glands in the nose
A furuncle (or boil) caused by bacterial infection
Irritation in the nose from habits like picking your nose, blowing your nose too aggressively, or hair removal techniques
Polyps, or benign growths, that often occur in those with allergies, deviated septums, or with other chronic sinus issues
How to make sure it’s actually a pimple
“Determining if it is actually a pimple or something else may depend on the appearance and any associated symptoms,” explains Dr. Garshick. “If it doesn’t go away, gets bigger, or bleeds easily, it should be evaluated.”
So what else could that bump be? Dr. Garshick says it may be a cold sore, which is often accompanied by a burning or stinging sensation and could have a blistered appearance. “Other possibilities, especially if it’s not going away, may include a warty growth or a cancer,” she says. Your dermatologist should be able to let you know if the bump is concerning.
Alternatively, you could be experiencing folliculitis, explains Dr. Lal. Folliculitis often shows up as a very painful, angry-looking red bump in the nose and is caused by bacteria entering the hair follicle, leading to inflammation and infection.
Or, it could be something else altogether. “Some people can have polyps in their nose,” Dr. Lal continues. “Polyps in the nose are not painful, but they often cause heavy breathing in people with allergies and asthma.” Polyps are a benign growth of tissue that appear as a pink bump, and can more often occur in people who have allergies, deviated septums, or chronic sinus issues.
How to treat a pimple inside your nose
While a pimple inside your nose will often go away on its own, Dr. Garshick notes that if you are experiencing increased pain, symptoms like a fever or swelling, or a bump that will simply not go away, you should see a medical professional. A doctor can help determine what’s going on and prescribe you topical or oral antibiotics depending on the severity of the pimple in your nose, Dr. Lal explains.
But, if you’re looking for ways to ease your symptoms at home, there are a few things you can do. First and foremost, be sure to keep your nose clean, and try using a saline nasal spray or an ointment like Vaseline to keep your nasal passages moisturized and ease the pain, says Dr. Lal.
Dr. Lal also recommends using one of his favorite products: The Gladskin Eczema Cream with Micreobalance, formulated with endolysins, which are enzymes that help target and kill specific harmful bacteria on the skin. Dr. Lal says to gently apply a small amount with a clean cotton swab directly on the bump.
For pain and inflammation, warm compresses on the outside of your nose may also be helpful, but Dr. Lal cautions against applying any sort of compress to the inside of the nose to avoid a burn. Another tip from Dr. Lal? Try taking an oral anti-inflammatory like Advil to reduce pain and swelling.
Is it safe to pop a pimple inside your nose?
If you’re wondering how to pop a pimple inside your nose, first know that both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Lal say that this is not a good idea.
“You should avoid popping a pimple in the nose as this can risk the chance of infection spreading, given the connections in this area known as the danger triangle to the brain,” Dr. Garshick warns. “In general, popping pimples should still be avoided as it can worsen the breakout, lead to more inflammation and increase the potential for scarring.”
How to prevent a pimple inside your nose
If you’ve ever experienced a painful blemish, preventing one in the future is likely top of mind. To keep these pesky bumps at bay, try limiting certain risk factors.
Step one: If you tend to pick your nose, stop. Why? “Because the bacteria [that causes pimples] lives in our skin—so if it’s getting from our skin to our nose, there’s only one way that can happen,” explains Dr. Lal.
Also, “don’t pull any hairs from your nose,” Dr. Lal continues. “If you want, you can get a nose trimmer and remove hairs that way.” Plucking or waxing—similar to blowing your nose too hard—can cause irritation and make it easier for bacteria to invade the pores and hair follicles in your nose.
If you are experiencing recurring pimples in your nose, decolonization therapy is also an option. This involves a round of antibiotics prescribed by your doctors which “can help prevent them happening over and over again,” explains Dr. Lal.
When to see your doctor for a pimple inside your nose
If the pimple inside your nose does not get better after about five days, Dr. Lal says it might be time to see your doctor. Likewise, if you have radiating pain, headaches, or pressure in the area, you should schedule a visit with your dermatologist.
“If you have a fever, chills, severe pain, or swelling, then you need to go to the emergency room,” he adds. “Other than that, you can go see a dermatologist.”
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