Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of a PimpleOther BumpsTreatmentComplicationsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of a Pimple
Other Bumps
Treatment
Complications
When to See a Provider
However, more serious bumps can appear inside the nose due to allergies, infections, or, in rare cases, cancerous growth.These require medical attention.
Identifying whether you have a simple pimple or other type of bump in your nose can help you determine the best course of treatment to get rid of it.
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Signs of Pimples Pimples in the Nose
You may have onepimpleor several at any site on the skin, including the skin inside your nose. The size of a single pimple is limited since it develops inside a hair follicle, and a very small pimple may not even be noticed. The pimple may also be too far inside the nasal passages for you to see it clearly.
In some cases, though, you may notice these symptoms:
Other Types of Bumps in the Nose
Pimples may become irritated and develop into different types of infections. It’s also possible that what you think is just a pimple is something else. A healthcare provider can help diagnose one of the following conditions.
Who Is at Risk for Pimples and Bumps in the Nose?Infections that cause nasal bumps and make pimples worse are often the result ofStaphylococcus(staph) bacteria getting into the area. Conditions that put people at risk for these infections include:DiabetesWeak immune systemHospitalizationUse of a catheter, breathing tube, or feeding tubeIllegal drug use
Who Is at Risk for Pimples and Bumps in the Nose?
Infections that cause nasal bumps and make pimples worse are often the result ofStaphylococcus(staph) bacteria getting into the area. Conditions that put people at risk for these infections include:DiabetesWeak immune systemHospitalizationUse of a catheter, breathing tube, or feeding tubeIllegal drug use
Infections that cause nasal bumps and make pimples worse are often the result ofStaphylococcus(staph) bacteria getting into the area. Conditions that put people at risk for these infections include:
Getting Rid of a Pimple or Bump in the Nose
A basic pimple will often go away on its own. Medication used to treat acne on your face or body should not be used inside the nose.
Specifically, do not apply products containingbenzoyl peroxideorsalicylic acidin the nasal passages.These can cause irritation.
Try these self-care tips to manage pain and swelling until the pimple goes away:
Bacterial infectionsincluding nasal vestibulitis and nasal furunculosis require topical antibiotics (do not use petroleum-based products) and, when needed, oral antibiotics.Boilsmay develop from these infections. Never try to lance or drain these on your own; see a healthcare provider for treatment.
Oral and nasal corticosteroids are commonly used to treatnasal polyps. These can shrink the growths and provide partial relief for some people.For long-term relief, though, surgery may be needed.
Forcold sores, apply ice and povidone-iodine (betadine) cream to the area.
Surgery is usually the first line of treatment fornasal cancer. If the bumps are too large, your provider may recommend radiation or chemotherapy first.
Pimples or other bumps that become infected and are not treated properly can causecellulitis. This is a type of skin infection that spreads from the skin surface (epidermis) to the deeper layers of the dermis and subcutaneous fat layers.
If the bump inside your nose becomes larger, pain increases, or there is discharge, you should see a healthcare provider to check for cellulitis. They will prescribe oral antibiotics, which should clear the infection.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s advised to see a healthcare provider if a pimple or bump inside your nose:
Summary
Pimples inside the nose are largely harmless. Other bumps inside the nose including nasal polyps, cold sores, bacterial infections, and cancerous growths require medical care.
Getting rid of a pimple inside the nose usually means keeping the area clean while avoiding touching or picking. More serious conditions may require topical or oral antibiotics. In some cases, surgery is needed.
Never pop or pick a pimple or bump in the nose. This could bring on a serious infection known as cellulitis.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Acne.MyHealth.Alberta.ca.Nasal abscess in children: care instructions.National Health Service.Nasal and sinus cancer.MedlinePlus.Acne.Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: Etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Sheik-Ali S, Sheik-Ali S, Sheik-Ali A.Nasal vestibular furunculosis: Summarised case series.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;8(3):217-223. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.12.003MedlinePlus.Nasal polyps.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers.American Cancer Society.Tests for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers.Better Health Channel.Cold sores.Koh JH, Bhatti O, Mahmood A, Agar N.Traumatic nasal injuries in general practice.Australian Family Physician.2016;45(9):650-653.MedlinePlus.Staphylococcal Infections.MedlinePlus.Salicylic Acid Topical.MedlinePlus.Benzoyl Peroxide Topical.Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Boils and carbuncles: overview.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nasal polyps.Victoria State Government.Cold Sores.Merck Manual Professional Version.Cellulitis.Cancer Research UK.Symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Acne.MyHealth.Alberta.ca.Nasal abscess in children: care instructions.National Health Service.Nasal and sinus cancer.MedlinePlus.Acne.Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: Etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Sheik-Ali S, Sheik-Ali S, Sheik-Ali A.Nasal vestibular furunculosis: Summarised case series.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;8(3):217-223. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.12.003MedlinePlus.Nasal polyps.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers.American Cancer Society.Tests for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers.Better Health Channel.Cold sores.Koh JH, Bhatti O, Mahmood A, Agar N.Traumatic nasal injuries in general practice.Australian Family Physician.2016;45(9):650-653.MedlinePlus.Staphylococcal Infections.MedlinePlus.Salicylic Acid Topical.MedlinePlus.Benzoyl Peroxide Topical.Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Boils and carbuncles: overview.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nasal polyps.Victoria State Government.Cold Sores.Merck Manual Professional Version.Cellulitis.Cancer Research UK.Symptoms.
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American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers.
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MedlinePlus.Staphylococcal Infections.
MedlinePlus.Salicylic Acid Topical.
MedlinePlus.Benzoyl Peroxide Topical.
Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419
Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Boils and carbuncles: overview.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nasal polyps.
Victoria State Government.Cold Sores.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Cellulitis.
Cancer Research UK.Symptoms.
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