Pimple inside nose can either be due to an infection or as a result of a natural process taking place within your body. Such pimples are harder to treat compared to those outside the nose. This is because they are difficult to access and secondly it can also be harder to tell if it is just a normal pimple or an infection.

What caused the pimple inside your nose?

Several factors may contribute to pimples inside the nose. This include:

  1. It could simply be a normal pimple in which pores become clogged with dead cells and extra oil. This is perfectly normal and no call for alarm.
  2. Your hair removal method (waxing, shaving or use of tweezers) is the cause. The use of certain hair removal methods can cause an ingrown hair resulting to a pimple.
  3. Another possibility is that it could be a cold sore. Although it might be difficult to differentiate between a pimple and a cold sore, cold sore normally appear more tender and painful. Cold sores are mostly viral infections.
  4. You have bacterial infections which include nasal furuncles or nasal vestibulitis (folliculitis). With folliculitis, a hair follicle becomes infected with bacteria resulting to redness and swelling. Folliculitis is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria.
    Nasal furuncles also called boils are much deeper and serious infections that can lead to cellulitis. Cellulitis is a life threatening condition and can spread rapidly through your skin. It can be caused by both staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.

How do you treat pimple inside your nose?

Normal pimples usually go away with time. All you need to do is to practice some personal at-home care such as gently wiping the area with some warm and moist compresses. Another at-home care method is the use of tea tree oil which acts as a natural antiseptic. Diluting tea tree oil with carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil is a desirable strategy.  Otherwise if get some cream containing benzoyl peroxide

 But if a hair removal product is responsible, then stop use and look for a better alternative. Treatment is not required except for some at-home care.

In case of a cold sore, which is a viral infection, then use but an antiviral cream. These you can easily get as an over the counter (OTC) medication from a pharmacy. If the sore persist, then consult with your doctor for an anti-viral prescription. Most cold sores disappear after 3 to 5 days. So before engaging with any form of treatment, you might want to consider waiting for at least 5 days to see if there is any sign of disappearance or improvement.  

A bacterial infection such as folliculitis or nasal furuncles, require the use of an antibiotic ointment containing bacitracin. Bacitracin ointment is an OTC medication. Because bacterial infections can get messy, consult with a dermatologist or doctor if the pimple persist. You might need to take a prescribed oral antibiotics in addition to the antibiotic cream.

Do not pop a pimple inside your nose. This can worsen the situation especially in the case of an infection. A hot compress several times during the day will help drain the boil naturally. In case of too much discomfort, a doctor can help to surgically drain the pimple without any risk.

When should you seek for medical attention?

If you experience any of the following then seek medical attention immediately:

  • The pimple persist after treatment attempt
  • The pimple is red, swollen, painful and accompanied by fever
  • If you have trouble with your eye or sight (double vision)
  • Headache
  • Pain
  • Dizziness
  • Pupils have different sizes

Making sure you never get a pimple inside the nose

  • Wash the inside of your nose gently with warm compresses anytime you take a bath
  • In general, don’t touch your nose with unclean hands. This is something the covid-19 pandemic thought everybody.
  • Stop picking your nose especially with unclean hands
  • Nose piercing can also cause pimples inside the nose
  • Avoid blowing your nose too often
  • Vitamin D supplements typically help prevent pimples.