Question: I have a small inner nostril pimple in my right nostril not painful, but very uncomfortable to know that it’s there, I keep putting my hand up by my nose at work what should I do?
Answer: It is not uncommon to get small sores, or an inner nostril pimple. Anything that irritates the delicate mucous membranes at the front of the nose can cause these. They can occur from work exposure, dust or dirt exposure, or certainly by using one’s finger in the nose. Often, the roots of the hair fibers in the front of the nose, “vibrissa” can get irritated and cause a small abscess of the hair follicle “folliculitis”. That can be dangerous as infections may rapidly spread from this area.
When you get such a sore, I would suggest using a topical antibiotic ointment on a finger tip (not q tip) just at the very entrance to the nose. If this fails to improve, you may need to see your doctor for oral antibiotics.
When you know you will be exposed to environmental irritants, such as dirt, dust, wood, metal, or other particles, it helps to wear a mask and rinse your nose after exposure with a hypertonic saline rinse, such as SaltAire or NeilMed.
Robert Pincus MD
NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Inner nostril pimples are often caused by irritation of the delicate mucous membranes inside the nose. Common triggers include exposure to dust, dirt, or other environmental irritants, as well as frequent touching or picking of the nose. Irritation of hair follicles in the nose, known as folliculitis, can also lead to small abscesses or pimples.
Although inner nostril pimples may not be painful, they can become dangerous if the infection spreads because the area has a rich blood supply. Infection can rapidly spread from the nose to other parts of the face or even the brain. Therefore, it is important to treat the sore promptly and avoid further irritation.
You should apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the entrance of the nose using a fingertip, not a cotton swab, to avoid further irritation. If there is no improvement, consult a doctor who may prescribe oral antibiotics to clear the infection effectively.
To prevent inner nostril pimples, avoid touching or picking your nose, especially with unclean hands. When exposed to environmental irritants like dust, dirt, wood, or metal particles, wearing a mask can protect your nasal passages. Rinsing your nose after exposure with a hypertonic saline rinse can also help remove irritants and reduce irritation.
Yes, exposure to environmental irritants such as dust, dirt, wood, or metal particles can irritate the nasal mucous membranes, leading to inner nostril pimples or sores. Taking precautions like wearing masks and using saline nose rinses after exposure can help minimize this risk.
Using a Q-tip inside the nose may cause further irritation or injury to the delicate mucous membranes. Applying ointment with a clean fingertip ensures gentle and precise application without additional harm.
