“I keep getting boils in my nose. What can I do to treat this?”
I am repeatedly getting boils within my nose. They can be extremely painful, however they eventually dry on their own. What could be the cause of these boils and how can I prevent them from recurring?
5 Answers
A common cause is trimming the nasal hairs at skin level. Don’t do that. If after taking that precaution you still have the problem, Bactroban ointment will cure them. It’s the only topical antibiotic that works and is available by prescription.
If they are just inside the nostril, then these are often caused by infection in the roots of the hair follicles. If you cut those hairs be careful not to tug or pluck them, and use a small sharp tool to get this done. For treatment try an antibiotic ointment like Polysporin 1-2 times per day; mupiricin may be a better choice, but that requires a prescription. If these measure are not effective, see your ENT doctor or dermatologist to rule out a more serious problem.
What you could be experiencing is nasal vestibulitis. This is inflammation of the lining inside the nasal cavity where the hairs are present. This is often due to a bacterial infection. I would recommend that you consult with an ear, nose, and throat physician for evaluation and management which sometimes includes application of a topical antibiotic to the region and, in some situations, an oral antibiotic. Sometimes, swabs are taken in cases that do not respond to therapy to rule out more pathogenic bacteria.
Hi there!
There are a few things this might represent.
1) Near the top corner of the nostril or at the bottom junction people can get little fissures. These are common in people with narrow nostrils, especially if they are blowing their nose a lot (colds, allergy season). These can be challenging to control. Protecting the area with an ointment and trying to reduce physical manipulation (not wiping or rubbing the nose) will help the fissure heal.
2) In the hair bearing skin just inside the nostril, people can get a folliculitis that can develop into little pustules or pimples, like an ingrown hair. These do not typically happen on the middle wall (the septum). Antibiotic creams, maybe with a little steroid like hydrocortisone if there is an element of dermatitis, can help this.
3) Cold sores can develop, usually along the bottom of the nostril and usually involve the skin outside the nostril extending toward the upper lip. These will pass after 7-10 days or sooner if you catch it with an antiviral agent when it first breaks out. These do not typically occur along the side nostril skin.
Hope that helps.
There are a few things this might represent.
1) Near the top corner of the nostril or at the bottom junction people can get little fissures. These are common in people with narrow nostrils, especially if they are blowing their nose a lot (colds, allergy season). These can be challenging to control. Protecting the area with an ointment and trying to reduce physical manipulation (not wiping or rubbing the nose) will help the fissure heal.
2) In the hair bearing skin just inside the nostril, people can get a folliculitis that can develop into little pustules or pimples, like an ingrown hair. These do not typically happen on the middle wall (the septum). Antibiotic creams, maybe with a little steroid like hydrocortisone if there is an element of dermatitis, can help this.
3) Cold sores can develop, usually along the bottom of the nostril and usually involve the skin outside the nostril extending toward the upper lip. These will pass after 7-10 days or sooner if you catch it with an antiviral agent when it first breaks out. These do not typically occur along the side nostril skin.
Hope that helps.
Recurring staph infection. Get Rx for clindamycin and bactroban ointment. Do not pick nose. Protect nose from smoke, particulate matter, etc.
