The causes of acne in the nose are not different from acne in other parts of the body. They occur when the skin produces excessive amounts of sebum. This clogs the gland outlets. As a result, redness and inflammation may occur in the affected area.
There are several reasons why the skin produces more sebum than it should. As a rule, it is caused by fluctuations in the hormonal balance, genetic predisposition or malnutrition. Possibly, acne can also be a sign that you are not taking good care of your skin.
The nose is particularly vulnerable if you frequently touch the nose with dirty fingers, if the nasal mucosa is very dry, or if you have recently had a cold.
Pimples in the nose caused by the herpes virus have one peculiarity: They reappear regularly, especially during times of stress, distress or fatigue, as well as when a person has a weakened immune system or has a fever-causing illness (e.g. flu).
Hormonal Imbalances
We all have hormones in our body. They are a kind of chemical messenger that sends messages all over the body. In this way, they act through the blood as regulators of bodily functions.
However, the natural balance of hormones can be disrupted for various reasons. When hormone changes occur in the body, such as during menstruation, pregnancy or stress, this can affect sebum production and cause acne in the nose or elsewhere.
Foods Can Affect Hormones
While a little chips or a piece of cake usually isn’t a problem, large amounts of sugary and fatty foods can affect some people’s blood sugar. This imbalance in blood sugar affects hormones. As a result, sebum production gets out of control and pimples appear on the body, including inside the nose.
In particular, milk is an important element in affecting hormones. For example, drinking 1 liter of milk a day can cause skin irritation. This is because cow’s milk contains natural hormones that, while not dangerous, can create an imbalance in your hormones and eventually lead to breakouts.
Nose Hair Removal
When a pimple appears in the nose, another reason is usually the hairs. It has natural bristles inside the nose. If these are cut, plucked, and then stretched incorrectly, they can irritate the skin and create a painful and inflamed pimple.
Nose picking is another cause of acne breakouts in the nostril. Our fingers are full of bacteria, and when you put your finger in your nose, you transfer the bacteria to it. This can trigger the formation of acne in the nose.
Factors Increasing the Risk of Pimples in the Nose
In addition to the reasons listed above, there are some aspects that affect lifestyle and can increase the occurrence of acne in the nose:
- Comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients or high oil content in cosmetics and personal care products
- A diet rich in carbohydrates (especially foods with a high glycemic index)
- Textile products contaminated with bacteria (e.g. towels that are rarely washed)
- Drug components (eg brominated tranquilizers/hypnotics, steroids)
- Smoking / alcohol
Swelling in the Nose Could Be Herpes or Boils!
It is difficult to examine the inside of the nose from the outside. It is not unusual for pimples in the nostrils to be mistaken for herpes or nasal boils. Painful herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, not bacteria. Herpes is highly contagious. Therefore, avoid touching the area with your hands to prevent the spread of the virus. The doctor may prescribe antiviral ointments against herpes.
The cause of the swelling in the nose may also be a boil. While acne only affects the top layer of skin, boils extend into the deeper layers of the skin and are therefore often very painful. A boil in the nose is an inflammation of the hair follicle caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. A visit to the doctor is always necessary for a boil on the nose because antibiotics are often the only cure for a boil on the nose.
How Is Pimples In The Nose Treated?
More important than treating the acne inside your nose are the things you shouldn’t do. Never press on the pimple or pop it. Otherwise, acne will get worse, take longer to heal, and scars may form. If the swelling in the nose is not a pimple but a boil, if it is exploded, the bacteria mixed with the blood can trigger meningitis.
When it comes to pimples inside the nose, proper skin care is very important. Avoid high-fat makeup products. Choose water-based products instead of products with a high oil content. Inflammation usually heals faster if the nasal mucosa is kept moist. Also, be sure to blow your nose lightly to avoid popping the pimple.
Wet or warm compresses can be used to relieve the pain caused by pimples settling in the nose. Ideally, the compress would be applied several times a day. You can leave the compress for a maximum of 20 minutes each time you use it.
A steam bath with chamomile flowers is ideal to keep the nasal mucosa moist. Boil two liters of water. Pour hot water over a handful of chamomile flowers or two bags of chamomile tea, let it steep for five minutes, and then, holding your head over the bowl, wrapped in a towel, inhale for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can apply the boiled chamomile flower water to the pimples on your nose with a cotton swab.
