What to Do for a Pimple in the Nose

If you have ever had a pimple in the nose, you probably wince when you recall how painful it was. Pimples in the nose tend to hurt a lot because the skin of the nose is so sensitive and full of blood vessels. I have received several inquiries about this problem from readers on my site.

Here we will break down the causes of pimples inside nose areas and what you can do to fix it.

Simple Pimple in Nose Solutions

“What can I do about a painful pimple in my nose?” This is a question I get from readers several times a month so I thought it was time to address the problem with a specific post. Some people will never get one, while others seem to suffer from a weekly pimple in nostril nightmare!

These pimples can be a bit tricky to deal with because of their location and composition. Pimples in nose and nostril areas are not the same as pimples on the face so they require a different type of treatment. Thankfully, these pimples are much easier to deal with than their facial counterparts.

Acne Tips 101’s Definitive Guide on How to Treat a Pimple in the Nose

1. Soften it. Apply a warm compress to the affected area. This will help soften the surrounding skin so it will be easier to treat. If the pimple is close enough to the nostril opening, you can probably get away with placing a warm washcloth over your nose but if it’s slightly further up, you might need to use a cotton swab soaked in warm water. Leave in place for ten minutes.

2. Dry it out. If there is not a white head or you don’t feel comfortable popping it, another option is to dry it out. The best things you can use for this purpose are alcohol and tea tree oil.

• Alcohol is the preferred choice because most people already have it on hand. On the other hand, it can be very drying.
• Tea Tree Oil is another option because it is a natural antiseptic and has a more pleasant smell than rubbing alcohol.

Once you have decided what to use to dry it out, soak a cotton swab in alcohol or tea tree oil and hold it up against the pimple for 1-2 minutes three times a day. This should dry the pimple out and help it go away eventually.

3. Extract it. If the nostril pimple has a white head, you can try to squeeze it out very carefully. You absolutely must use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to do this or you risk causing further infection. Don’t attempt to squeeze it out with your nail, no matter how tempting it is!

Instead, use two cotton swabs soaked in alcohol on either side of the pimple in place of your nails so you can empty it out safely. Press gently. If nothing comes out, try using a warm compress a bit longer. When you push on it, it is going to hurt but once you get the white stuff out, it is going to provide you with instant relief from that eye-watering pimple in nostril pain!

4. Keep the area clean! After popping or drying out the nose pimple, apply an antibiotic cream like Neosporin or polysporin to the affected area.

Causes of Pimples in Nose

Another question I get asked a lot is, “Why do I keep getting a pimple inside my nose?” Even if you know how to treat these pimples, it’s preferable that they never form in the first place. Thankfully there are a few things you can watch out for if you’re prone to nose pimples that should keep the problem at bay.

The nose is one area of the face that is very susceptible to infection. Something as small as an ingrown hair can form the dreaded pimple inside nostril syndrome. There are plenty of other ways bacteria can enter the nostril and cause problems. Putting your fingers in your nose is another common cause of nostril pimples.

Ingrown hairs

Bacteria + Sharp Nose Hair + Delicate Nostril Skin = Pimple Inside Nose

When it’s broken down like that, it should be pretty easy to understand. What happens when you get an ingrown hair in your nose? The sharp tip of the nose hair pokes through your nostril’s thin skin, creating a great place for bacteria to enter. And we all know that the nose is a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why even the tiniest cut or hole can lead to a clogged pore that becomes infected.

Nose Hair Plucking and Trimming

Another common pimple in nose cause is nose hair maintenance. Occasionally while plucking or trimming the nose hairs, you might cause a small nick or tear to the thin skin lining your nostril. This almost always leads to the formation of a small, infected pimple inside the nostril.

Of course you shouldn’t avoid trimming your nose hairs if they are very noticeable, but you should be mindful of this possibility and trim with a steady hand. If you do get a nick, dab it with alcohol and antibiotic cream like Neosporin to keep bacteria out.

Other Advice for Pimple in Nose Problems

• If you don’t have alcohol or tea tree oil on hand to dry out the pimple, salt water will work in a pinch.
• If the pimple is really high up inside your nostril, do not attempt to treat it yourself. See your family doctor or a dermatologist for help.
• Keep your fingers out of your nose! If you need to reach inside your nose for any reason, be sure to use a tissue instead to avoid the possibility of introducing more bacteria into your nose.

Have you successfully treated a painful nose pimple? Have acne tips you want to share? Leave your comments below!