Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Nasal vestibulitis is an infection of the nostrils. This condition gets its name because it occurs in the nasal vestibule, the hair-covered area inside the nostrils.
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Nasal vestibulitis can cause the nose to become inflamed or painful. This pain and irritation concentrate on the nasal vestibule, near the tip of your nose, and inside the nostrils. Common symptoms of nasal vestibulitis also include:
In rare cases, if your infection spreads, you may also experience fever, double vision, severe headaches, orincreased white blood cell count.
How Long Do Sores Inside the Nose Last?A typical sore inside the nose will usually heal in a couple of days. Because nasal vestibulitis is a bacterial infection, it will take a little longer to heal—usually around three or four days with treatment.
How Long Do Sores Inside the Nose Last?
A typical sore inside the nose will usually heal in a couple of days. Because nasal vestibulitis is a bacterial infection, it will take a little longer to heal—usually around three or four days with treatment.
Nasal vestibulitis most often results from a bacteria calledStaphylococcus aureus.This is the most common cause of bacterial infection. The bacteria usually infect the nose after minor traumas to the nasal vestibule. Day-to-day activities can increase your risk for these minor cuts and openings in the skin, including:
Although anyone can get nasal vestibulitis, some people are more at risk than others. The condition is more likely in someone who has:
It also can occur due to environmental irritants, cold temperature, low humidity, or smoking.
Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms aren’t improving after a few days on antibiotics. If you are being treated for nasal vestibulitis and you develop afeveror redness and swelling that spreads to other parts of your face, call your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that other conditions, including nasal vestibular cancer, may need to be ruled out.
Nasal vestibulitis is unlikely to go away on its own. If you develop any of the symptoms of the condition, it’s best to see your healthcare provider.
Treatments for nasal vestibulitis focus on fighting the bacterial infection. The most common treatments include:
Can I put Neosporin inside my nose?Neosporin is not recommended for use inside the nose.There is some evidence that overuse of petroleum jelly products in the nose can lead to a rare type of pneumonia.
Can I put Neosporin inside my nose?
Neosporin is not recommended for use inside the nose.There is some evidence that overuse of petroleum jelly products in the nose can lead to a rare type of pneumonia.
In most cases, nasal vestibulitis is easy to treat and goes away independently. However, if the infection is severe, complications can develop. Some of these complications include:
When to Seek Emergency CareNasal vestibulitis rarely becomes an emergency. If you have a weakened immune system and you develop a fever, however, you should go to the emergency room. Any symptom of worsening infection such as increasing pain, pus, or swelling also warrants emergency medical treatment.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Nasal vestibulitis rarely becomes an emergency. If you have a weakened immune system and you develop a fever, however, you should go to the emergency room. Any symptom of worsening infection such as increasing pain, pus, or swelling also warrants emergency medical treatment.
Although nasal vestibulitis itself is not contagious, the bacteria that cause it can be. One way to prevent nasal vestibulitis is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your nose and face. That way, if you do come in contact with the bacteria, you won’t transfer it into your nose.
Other ways you can avoid developing nasal vestibulitis include the following:
Summary
Nasal vestibulitis is a common infection that can make the nose red, inflamed, and sore. The infection most often happens when a common bacteria gets into minor cuts within the nasal vestibule. These openings in the skin can result from frequent nose blowing, picking the nose, or trimming nose hairs.
Nasal vestibulitis is rarely severe, especially when treated with antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics. Still, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and watch for any complications.
13 SourcesVerywell 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 Cancer Institute.Nasal vestibule.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.2020.12.003Marra P, Colacurcio V, De Luca P, Bisogno A, Calvanese M, Scarpa A,et al.Nasal Vestibulitis and Vestibular Furunculosis: a systematic review about two common nasal infections and considerations about correct diagnosis and management.Clin Ter. 2022 Nov-Dec;173(6):590-596. doi:10.7417/CT.2022.2487Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureusnasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419Cathcart-Rake EJ, Zahrieh D, Smith D, Young S, McCue S, O’Connor A,et al.A five arm natural history study of nasal vestibulitis.Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9650-9654. doi:10.1002/cam4.5887Filtenborg MV, Lilja-Fischer JK, Sharma MB, Primdahl H, Kjems J, Plaschke CC,et al.Nasal vestibule squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based cohort study from DAHANCA.Acta Oncol. 2022 Feb;61(2):127-133. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2021.1994646Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Kilaru H, Prasad S, Radha S, Nallagonda R, Kilaru SC, Nandury EC.Nasal application of petrolatum ointment - A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.Respir Med Case Rep. 2017;22:98-100. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.07.003Słotwińska-Pawlaczyk A, Orzechowska-Wylęgała B, Latusek K, Roszkowska AM.Analysis of the clinical status and treatment of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in pediatric patients.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(6):4874. doi:10.3390/ijerph20064874MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.MedlinePlus.Cavernous sinus thrombosis.
13 Sources
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 Cancer Institute.Nasal vestibule.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.2020.12.003Marra P, Colacurcio V, De Luca P, Bisogno A, Calvanese M, Scarpa A,et al.Nasal Vestibulitis and Vestibular Furunculosis: a systematic review about two common nasal infections and considerations about correct diagnosis and management.Clin Ter. 2022 Nov-Dec;173(6):590-596. doi:10.7417/CT.2022.2487Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureusnasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419Cathcart-Rake EJ, Zahrieh D, Smith D, Young S, McCue S, O’Connor A,et al.A five arm natural history study of nasal vestibulitis.Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9650-9654. doi:10.1002/cam4.5887Filtenborg MV, Lilja-Fischer JK, Sharma MB, Primdahl H, Kjems J, Plaschke CC,et al.Nasal vestibule squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based cohort study from DAHANCA.Acta Oncol. 2022 Feb;61(2):127-133. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2021.1994646Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Kilaru H, Prasad S, Radha S, Nallagonda R, Kilaru SC, Nandury EC.Nasal application of petrolatum ointment - A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.Respir Med Case Rep. 2017;22:98-100. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.07.003Słotwińska-Pawlaczyk A, Orzechowska-Wylęgała B, Latusek K, Roszkowska AM.Analysis of the clinical status and treatment of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in pediatric patients.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(6):4874. doi:10.3390/ijerph20064874MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.MedlinePlus.Cavernous sinus thrombosis.
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 Cancer Institute.Nasal vestibule.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.2020.12.003Marra P, Colacurcio V, De Luca P, Bisogno A, Calvanese M, Scarpa A,et al.Nasal Vestibulitis and Vestibular Furunculosis: a systematic review about two common nasal infections and considerations about correct diagnosis and management.Clin Ter. 2022 Nov-Dec;173(6):590-596. doi:10.7417/CT.2022.2487Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureusnasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419Cathcart-Rake EJ, Zahrieh D, Smith D, Young S, McCue S, O’Connor A,et al.A five arm natural history study of nasal vestibulitis.Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9650-9654. doi:10.1002/cam4.5887Filtenborg MV, Lilja-Fischer JK, Sharma MB, Primdahl H, Kjems J, Plaschke CC,et al.Nasal vestibule squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based cohort study from DAHANCA.Acta Oncol. 2022 Feb;61(2):127-133. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2021.1994646Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Kilaru H, Prasad S, Radha S, Nallagonda R, Kilaru SC, Nandury EC.Nasal application of petrolatum ointment - A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.Respir Med Case Rep. 2017;22:98-100. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.07.003Słotwińska-Pawlaczyk A, Orzechowska-Wylęgała B, Latusek K, Roszkowska AM.Analysis of the clinical status and treatment of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in pediatric patients.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(6):4874. doi:10.3390/ijerph20064874MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.MedlinePlus.Cavernous sinus thrombosis.
National Cancer Institute.Nasal vestibule.
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.2017.06.007
Sheik-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.2020.12.003
Marra P, Colacurcio V, De Luca P, Bisogno A, Calvanese M, Scarpa A,et al.Nasal Vestibulitis and Vestibular Furunculosis: a systematic review about two common nasal infections and considerations about correct diagnosis and management.Clin Ter. 2022 Nov-Dec;173(6):590-596. doi:10.7417/CT.2022.2487
Sakr A, Brégeon F, Mège JL, Rolain JM, Blin O.Staphylococcus aureusnasal colonization: An update on mechanisms, epidemiology, risk factors, and subsequent infections.Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2419. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419
Cathcart-Rake EJ, Zahrieh D, Smith D, Young S, McCue S, O’Connor A,et al.A five arm natural history study of nasal vestibulitis.Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9650-9654. doi:10.1002/cam4.5887
Filtenborg MV, Lilja-Fischer JK, Sharma MB, Primdahl H, Kjems J, Plaschke CC,et al.Nasal vestibule squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based cohort study from DAHANCA.Acta Oncol. 2022 Feb;61(2):127-133. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2021.1994646
Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):61-63
Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.
Kilaru H, Prasad S, Radha S, Nallagonda R, Kilaru SC, Nandury EC.Nasal application of petrolatum ointment - A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.Respir Med Case Rep. 2017;22:98-100. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.07.003
Słotwińska-Pawlaczyk A, Orzechowska-Wylęgała B, Latusek K, Roszkowska AM.Analysis of the clinical status and treatment of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in pediatric patients.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(6):4874. doi:10.3390/ijerph20064874
MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.
MedlinePlus.Cavernous sinus thrombosis.
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