Nasal Vestibulitis – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments!

Oftentimes, bacterial infections cause more or less harm to the affected area, depending on their severity. Bacterial infections in the skin, fingernails, eyes, stomach, and throat are quite common in humans. But, when it comes to nasal bacterial infections, it is pretty rare.

Nasal vestibulitis, also known as nasal folliculitis, is an unusual skin infection at the opening of the nostrils. It is a skin condition caused typically by a type of bacteria. The nose accommodates many bacteria that usually are harmless. However, if there is a wound in the nose and the bacteria gets to enter it that would result in an infection.

What is Nasal vestibulitis? How It Can Be treated?

Nasal vestibulitis is an atypical nasal skin condition that is primarily caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. In this bacterial infection, the hair-bearing area of the nasal vestibule gets affected. The area becomes tender and sore to feel. It infects the hair follicles in the nose vestibule; from there, it gets its name.

At first glance, it appears to be a pimple or sore in the nasal vestibule. It may look like a pimple or sore just inside the nose. Mostly, it occurs due to a condition where there is an infection in the hair follicles. It gets triggered when a person plucks their nose hair or picks their nose.

What Are the Possible causes of Nasal vestibulitis?

Nasal vestibulitis is a bacterial infection in the opening of the nasal vestibule. It is the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that mostly causes this infection.

There is no categorical division of the people who are likely to get this infection. However, several factors are the possible causes of Nasal Vestibulitis.

• Weakness in the Immune System– There are many health conditions, like long-term diabetes, that cause a weak immune system. Also, regular consumption of certain medications makes the immune system weaker. A weakened immune system increases the risk of getting infections and delayed recovery.

• Picking Nose- Some people keep picking their noses. It can aggravate an active infection and cause a condition such as Nasal Vestibulitis. It also transfers different bacteria from the hands to the nose. 

• Nasal Hair Plucking- Plucking of the nasal hair irritates the nasal path. It can also worsen any infection there. Plucking your nasal hair can cause cuts or inflammation in the hair follicles resulting in Nasal Vestibulitis.  

• Repeated Nose blowing- Blowing your nose frequently is a habit of some people. It can irritate the skin and make it swell. This also transfers the bacteria from one place to another. 

• Piercings- Piercing the nose is trendy, and it makes you look fashionable. But this can cause an infection by allowing the bacteria to enter an infected area. An infected area is an open wound where any bacteria can enter and cause further irritation. 

• Chemotherapy- Sometimes, it is the Cancer treatment that causes Nasal Vestibulitis. Chemotherapy weakens the immune system, which in turn allows the infection to grow easily. It also dries out the nose, which can cause cracks, tears, or vulnerability to infections. 

What are the Common symptoms of Nasal vestibulitis?

The most common symptom of Nasal vestibulitis is the appearance of a pimple-like skin growth inside the opening of the nose. This is the primary identification of such a skin issue. Make sure never to pop those because that will worsen the situation-

• Some of the most common symptoms of nasal vestibulitis are-
• Severe pain in or around the nasal area
• crusting inside either or both the nostrils
• painful swelling of the nose
• dryness in the nose
• itching and bleeding
• redness or discoloration
• pimples on your nose
• fever

In most cases, the affected person has a history of nasal injuries, including small cuts and tears. The injury can be a result of nose piercings or plucking nasal hair. In other cases, the nose feels dry before getting the infection.

Generally, fever is not the primary symptom of nasal vestibulitis. However, if the infection spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause fever.

Nasal vestibulitis is generally not dangerous, but delayed treatment can result in worsening the infection.

How to diagnose Nasal vestibulitis?

The diagnosis of nasal vestibulitis is a very simple process. Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you are getting and if you have any recent history of a nose injury. Then, the doctor conducts some physical tests and routine inquiries to understand the condition. After understanding the degree of the severity of the condition, they prescribe medicines.

In some rare cases, if the infection worsens, you might admit yourself to a hospital for enough medical care.

Should I see a doctor?

Of course, you should. A condition like nasal vestibulitis may seem normal, but if somehow the infection spreads, it will infect the rest of the body in no time. You must not take this condition for granted and see a doctor immediately. The right time to consult a doctor for nasal vestibulitis is when you experience uneasiness in the nose area.

This should not be left untreated as it might turn worse in no time.

How to treat Nasal vestibulitis?

Although nasal vestibulitis is a benign skin condition, it can worsen if not treated in time. The first step in treating this condition is not touching it again to cause further infection. Mild cases of nasal vestibulitis usually need topical treatment. A study conducted in 2015 on cancer patients showed that 2% topical mupirocin helped in 95% of nasal vestibulitis cases. Regular application of saline drops helps speed up the recovery.  

As soon as the recovery speeds up, the doctor will prescribe oral and topical antibiotic treatment. With conditions like weak immunity or diabetes, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics in the early stage to avoid further complications.

In cases where there is no response to oral and topical treatments, the doctor suggests IV antibiotics. You may then need to get admitted to a hospital.

Things you should avoid for Nasal vestibulitis treatment

Firstly, you must stop touching your infected area to stop the spreading of the infection. Taking proper doses of medication along with the application of the topical treatment is important. Any further inflammation can cause severe effects. So, you may take care of the area properly.

How do you prevent Nasal vestibulitis?

Prevention of nasal vestibulitis includes not doing the things that primarily caused the condition.

• First, you should never touch your nose without sanitizing your hand.
• Secondly, leave the habit of picking your nose.
• Plucking your nose is highly dangerous. You should refrain from doing it.
• Keep your nasal area moisturized. A dry nose causes cracks and openings, and it urges you to scratch your nose. This can cause bleeding and then infections.
• Stay away from dust. Keep your nose covered in dust.

Expert Advice

In most cases, nasal vestibulitis can easily go away with topical antibiotics. However, there are more severe cases where infections are worse, which may require both an oral and a topical antibiotic. Although these complications are rare, they can get serious in no time.

The best thing is to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can suggest you the best antibiotic that is perfect for your case. Also, in some cases, the doctor tells you if you need an IV treatment or not. If you feel an uneasiness in the nose, develop a fever or spot swelling, or have redness around your nose, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

FAQS

Here are the frequently asked questions about nasal vestibulitis-

i) Does nasal vestibulitis clear up on its own?

With a simple antibiotic course, nasal vestibulitis clears up on its own. It does not need any invasive treatment or surgery.

ii) How long does it take for nasal vestibulitis to heal?

In most cases, nasal vestibulitis heals in 7 to 14 days with proper care. Typically, it needs oral and topical antibiotics and sometimes IV. The topical antibiotics are generally bacitracin ointment or mupirocin. One needs to apply it on the affected area twice for 7-14 days to see a recovery.

iii) Does Nasal Vestibulitis smell?

Although it must be a rare condition, some people do experience a bad smell inside the nose. The overgrowth of bacteria inside the infection causes the smell.

iv)  What happens if you pop nasal vestibulitis?

Most people with nasal vestibulitis may observe a pimple-like growth inside the nose. Sometimes, there are many such skin conditions. However, you may seem to have the urge to pop those. It can make the situation worse by irritating the infection.

v) Is nasal vestibulitis dangerous?

Nasal vestibulitis is generally cured in time with proper medication. But, there are cases where it went to a dangerous extent. In worse cases, the bacteria from the infections of nasal vestibulitis can spread more. It can cause blood to clot in your cavernous sinus. This situation is called cavernous sinus thrombosis. It is a pretty grave situation.