Here's What to Do About a Pimple Inside Your Nose

Breakouts can be frustrating, but some breakouts more so than others. One of the most frustrating types of breakouts is getting a pimple inside your nose. Not only can it hurt, but getting rid of it (or even just getting to it) can be a real conundrum. But wait! Before you proceed to pop it, we asked dermatologists what they suggest.

How Did That Pimple Get There In the First Place?

Simply put, there's a lot of reasons—but just as with any normal pimple, it comes down to a compromised skin barrier. According to Kenneth Mark, MD, cosmetic dermatologist, “Clogged pores, ingrown hairs, or inflammation of the hair follicles inside the nose can all cause a pimple.”

What Should You Do If You Get a Pimple Inside Your Nose?

While you might be tempted to mess with your pimple, it’s crucial to resist the temptation says Dr. Sanda Lee, a.k.a. Dr. Pimple Popper. “Nose pimples are particularly painful because the nose has lots of sensory nerve endings and the inflammation leads to swelling—and this leads to pain. It hurts to even touch it and move it around. It can be hard not to pick or rub your nose, but you should try to keep your hands off of it.”  Why? Ssqueezing and picking the area can end up making the problem worse. “This leads to a bigger pimple and more pain,” she says,

How to Get Rid Of a Pimple Inside Nose

Resist the urge to pop your pimple. Dr. Lee notes that you've got to wait it out until a whitehead forms. “This is a sign that your body is fighting off the pimple by sending its army of cells—like macrophages and neutrophils—to fight off the infection (likely bacterial) and literally push it out of the body. That's why a painful, deeper red bump usually eventually comes to the surface of the skin and becomes a pustule. Or in this case, it comes to the surface of the inside of the nose, which is actually a mucous membrane.”

How to Prevent A Pimple Inside Nose

While it's not abnormal for a pimple to form inside your nose on occasion, if it happens frequently, could be because you're doing something wrong. “If you are prone to getting pimples inside your nose, a good thing to do is use a Q-tip and a topical prescription antibiotic ointment called Mupirocin ointment, which is good at eradicating staph,” says Dr. Lee. “As derms, we will often prescribe this for people to apply to the inside of their noses to help control the bacterial count.”

If you’re prone to pimples on the rest of your face, it’s important to keep acne-causing bacteria at bay to curb the spread. Dr. Lee suggests using SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser. “Combine this with the SLMD BP Lotion, which is formulated with benzoyl peroxide to combat acne-causing bacteria on your face that might potentially spread into your nose.”

What Should You Do If Your Pimple Doens’t Go Away

If it’s been a few days and your painful pimple has popped yet, have a professional look at it and make an appointment with your dermatologist.