8 Home Remedies For Pimple Inside The Nose & Prevention Tips

A pimple inside your nose is often painful and annoying. While a pimple inside your nose is common and can be the result of a blocked pore, it can also be an indication of an underlying medical condition. In this article, we explore the different causes and a few home remedies you can try to reduce the risk of developing a pimple inside your nose.

What Causes A Pimple Inside The Nose?

There are various reasons a pimple develops inside the nose. In some cases, it may be a result of an underlying infection. One of the most common causes of pimples may be a clogged or blocked skin pore. This clogging may be the result of an accumulation of dead skin cells or oil.

Apart from dead skin cells and oil, open pores may also invite bacteria. This may cause the pores to become inflamed and infected, resulting in acne or pimples. This infection may result in the following:

• Nasal Furuncles And Cellulitis: Nasal furuncles are deeper infections in the nose that occur in the form of boils. This condition is considered to be dangerous as there are chances that it may lead to cellulitis. Cellulitis is an infection that spreads rapidly and can even enter your bloodstream.

• Nasal Vestibulitis: This condition is also referred to as nasal folliculitis. It may result in a single red, inflamed bump or a cluster of red or white bumps at the opening of your nostrils. Staph (Staphylococcus) bacteria are the most common cause of this infection, popularly known as Nasal staph infection.

• Ingrown Hair: Some people try to get rid of their nasal hair. This may cause them to develop ingrown hair – another common cause for pimples to develop inside the nose.

Listed below are the signs and symptoms of a pimple inside your nose.

Signs And Symptoms

• Papules – Small red bumps that are tender to touch
• Whiteheads or clogged (closed) pores
• Pustule – A bump with a little pus at its tip
• Nodules – Large and painful bumps under your skin
• Cystic lesions or pus-filled bumps beneath your skin
• Swelling
• Inflammation and pain

Read the next section to know how to get rid of pimples inside the nose with simple home remedies.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of A Pimple Inside The Nose

1. Warm Compress

A warm compress may increase circulation and reduce nasal inflammation in the affected area. Hence, it may help treat a painful pimple in your nose.

You Will Need

A warm compress

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a warm compress on the nose.
2. Place it there for about 5 minutes and remove it.
3. Alternatively, you can also wash the pimple with warm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a day.

2. Essential Oils

a. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil possesses analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, fungicidal, and astringent properties (1). These properties may help heal nasal comedones faster and prevent further breakouts.

You Will Need

• 1-2 drops of rosemary oil
• 5 drops of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix one to two drops of rosemary oil with any carrier oil like coconut oil.
2. Apply the mixture to the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off.
4. You can also try this remedy as an overnight treatment.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

b. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal properties (2).

A study published in Molecules showed that it had antibacterial efficacy against many strains of gram-negative bacteria that were resistant to multiple drugs as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The maximum inhibitory activity of tea tree oil was against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, while the lowest inhibitory activity was against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This suggests that this oil is efficacious at reducing the number of common skin-infecting germs. Acinetobacter baumannii is a common infectious microbe found in open wounds, thus tea tree oil works as an effective antiseptic against it.

Antibacterial Activity Of Tea Tree Oil

The components of the oil penetrate deep into skin and support the regeneration of skin damaged by acne-causing bacteria.

You Will Need

• 4 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Combine four drops of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil.
2. Apply this mixture to the pimple and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with water.
4. You can also use this as an overnight treatment.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply tea tree oil 2-3 times daily.

Quick Tip

Alternatively, you can use thyme oil or oregano oil with a carrier oil to treat pimples inside the nose (9).

3. Neem Oil

Neem exhibits strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (3). These properties of neem may help in combating pimples.

You Will Need

2-3 drops of neem oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply neem oil directly to the pimple with your finger.
2. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off.
3. You can also leave it on overnight.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent (4). This may help in reducing the nasal redness and swelling associated with pimples.

You Will Need

A few drops of cold-pressed coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply coconut oil to the pimple inside your nose.
2. Allow it to dry on its own.
3. Reapply as necessary.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

5. Lemon

Lemon possesses astringent and antimicrobial properties. It may help in preventing skin infections like acne (5). Lemon also has anti-inflammatory properties (6). This may help in reducing the inflammation inside the nose.

You Will Need

• A few drops of lemon juice
• Water (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pimple.
2. If you have sensitive skin, mix the lemon extract with an equal volume of water before application.
3. Rinse it off after 30 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties (7). Hence, it may speed up the healing of pimples.

You Will Need

• 3% hydrogen peroxide (as required)
• Cotton buds

What You Have To Do

1. Soak a cotton bud in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Those who have highly sensitive skin may mix hydrogen peroxide with a little water.
2. Place the cotton bud on the pimple for a minute.
3. Discard the used bud.
4. Wash your nose after 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (8). These properties may help in fighting acne-causing bacteria.

You Will Need

• Raw apple cider vinegar (as required)
• A cotton bud

What You Have To Do

1. Dip a cotton bud in raw apple cider vinegar.
2. Place the bud on the pimple.
3. Allow it to work on the pimple for about 30 minutes.
4. Rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a day.

8. Honey

Honey exhibits antibacterial properties that may help fight against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria responsible for acne (10). It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the swelling and redness associated with acne (10). Further, research suggests that honey may be more effective in treating acne than an antibacterial soap (12).

You Will Need

• A few drops of honey
• A clean towel

What You Have To Do

1. Take a small amount of honey and apply it directly to the pimple.
2. Allow it to work on the pimple for about 15–20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can use this remedy thrice a week.

Although natural remedies may help in getting rid of nasal acne or pimples inside the nose, you should also take measures to prevent their recurrence. The following are some prevention tips that may help.

Prevention Tips

• Avoid picking your nose too much.
• Do not blow your nose too hard or too often.
• Increase the intake of vitamin-D rich foods.
• Keep stress under control.
• Wash your face twice daily using a mild cleanser.
• Use less makeup.
• Do not touch your face or nose too often.
• Keep away from the sun.
• Exercise regularly.

Quick Tip

Drink two to three liters of water to keep your skin and nose hydrated and prevent pimples in the nose.

Infographic: Tips To Prevent Pimple Inside Nose

The nose zits can be annoying, painful, and distressing. While natural remedies may provide relief, following simple tips such as eating vitamin D-rich foods and managing your stress effectively can reduce the risk of developing a pimple inside your nose.

Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see a doctor?

If the pimple inside your nose doesn’t heal or gets worse with time, it is best to consult a doctor. This is because, in rare cases, it may lead to infections, which may further lead to a blood clot in the brain as some nerves in the nose are connected to the brain.

Is it safe to pop a pimple inside your nose?

It is not safe to pop a pimple inside the nose as it increases the risk of scarring. However, you can visit a medical salon or dermatologist to get the pimple popped professionally.

How long does it take for a pimple inside the nose to go away?

A pimple without a pus-filled head may heal in two days to a week. The pus-filled pimples may take longer to heal – about a week and a half. If the nasal cysts are deeper and have discharged its content within the skin, it may take up to a month to heal.

Do I need to see a doctor for nasal vestibulitis?

Yes, it is recommended to see a doctor for nasal vestibulitis as infections in the nose can spread and form blood clots, which can be dangerous.

Is it OK to put Vaseline in your nose?

It is not recommended to put Vaseline inside your nose as it poses the risk of traveling to your lungs through the windpipe. A little bit on the lining of your nose may be acceptable as long as it is not done frequently.

Having a pimple inside your nose can be annoying. Learn the best ways to get rid of it quickly and effectively with this video! Check it out!

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Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP

 

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy. She has more than 25 publications in local and international journals to her name. She is passionate about public and patient education...more

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more