Pimples, bug bites, and other bumps often appear on the face and in some cases they can develop inside of the nostrils. Since it is difficult to see the bump when it forms inside of the nose, it can cause a person concern. Bumps inside of the nose often tend to be more sensitive than those that can be seen on the face or other parts of the body, so the pain further enhances a person’s worry.
Nasal polyps are one of the most common causes of bumps forming inside of the nose. Nasal polyps occur when the mucus membrane of the nose is chronically inflamed. Medical researchers are not sure why polyps form from the inflammation, but they know it is a common occurrence with long-term inflammation. Nasal polyps might also cause nasal discharge, congestion, a decreased sense of smell and taste, snoring, headaches, and itchy eyes. Larger polyps can also affect breathing.
Nasal polyps might not require treatment. Larger polyps might need to be removed surgically, but smaller ones typically clear up on their own. Your doctor might also prescribe medication to help with the symptoms of a polyp.
Another cause of bumps inside of the nose is folliculitis. This is considered the most common cause of inner nose bumps and is caused by an infection at the root of a nose hair. This infection is triggered by the presence of bacteria inside of the nose. If you are able to see the infection, it will appear as a small white bump near a hair follicle. The bump might itch, swell, be pussy, or cause the skin to look red and inflamed.
Follicuitis often clears without treatment, but if the pain is severe or the bump is chronic, your doctor can prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic.
Excessive nose picking can also cause bumps to form inside of the nose. This is because the action of picking at the skin damages the hair follicles and introduces bacteria into the inside of the nose. When a follicle is damaged, it makes it easy for bacteria to access the body and trigger an infection.
Some people also find that squeezing bumps inside of the nose can cause them to get bigger or spread. This is especially true when the bump is caused by infection. Squeezing aggravates the infection and makes it more likely to spread deeper into the nose. Unfortunately, because bumps tend to itch or cause irritation, people are likely to pick, rub, or squeeze them. There is also a tendency to squeeze pimples that form inside of the nose, but this action can turn a minor problem into something serious, so it should be avoided.
In rare instances, a bump inside of the nerve indicates a more serious problem known as cavernous sinus thrombosis. Since the nose and brain are so closely linked, any infection that develops in the nose can easily make its way to the brain through the body’s intricate system of veins. If you suspect a bump in your nose might be serious, contact your doctor immediately.
Most of the time when a bump develops inside of the nose, it causes slight pain and swelling. For some, the bump clears up within a few days, especially if it is a pimple. However, it can also increase in size and cause the nose to swell. It also becomes more painful. Some people experience a throbbing or pulsing pain, which can be distracting. Bumps that are infected might trigger fatigue, fever, headache, and feelings of malaise.
There are several treatments that can speed the healing of a bump inside of the nose or ease the symptoms associated with it until the bump clears up on its own. You might also choose to couple these remedies with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. These include:
In most cases, bumps inside the nose are not serious. However, they can be annoying and cause enough pain to distract you from your usual routine. There are many ways to deal with these bumps, but in some cases, you will need medical attention. If you are in any way concerned about the bump inside of your nose, contact your doctor and schedule an examination as soon as possible.