Nasal vestibulitis refers to an infection in your nasal vestibule. The symptoms of nasal vestibulitis vary based on the underlying cause and severity of the infection.

Your nasal vestibule is the area inside your nostrils. It marks the beginning of your nasal passages.

Nasal vestibulitis refers to an infection in your nasal vestibule, usually due to excessive nose blowing or hair picking. While it’s often easy to treat, it can occasionally lead to serious complications.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for nasal vestibulitis.

The symptoms of nasal vestibulitis may vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the infection. Common symptoms include:

Other symptoms may also include cellulitis, fever, and developing an abscess.

Nasal vestibulitis is usually caused by an infection involving Staphylococcus bacteria. These are a common source of skin infections. The infection usually develops as a result of a minor injury to your nasal vestibule, often due to:

Some underlying health conditions may also increase your risk of developing nasal vestibulitis, such as HIV or diabetes. In addition, a 2015 study found that some targeted therapy medications to treat certain cancers had an increased risk of developing nasal vestibulitis.

Treating nasal vestibulitis depends on how serious the infection is.

At-home remedies are usually the first-line treatment. These may include:

A healthcare professional may also prescribe topical antibiotics to help treat nasal vestibulitis.

The most common antibiotic used to help treat nasal vestibulitis is mupirocin. This topical cream is usually applied twice a day for five days. However, a healthcare professional may recommend a different regime for you.

Other topical antibiotics may include neomycin and bacitracin, or a cream that combines both with polymyxin.

In more severe cases of nasal vestibulitis, a healthcare professional may prescribe oral antibiotics. You may also need surgery to drain a large boil.

More serious cases of nasal vestibulitis can sometimes lead to complications, especially because the veins in this area tend to lead directly to your brain.

Cellulitis

The most common complication of nasal vestibulitis is cellulitis. This occurs when the infection spreads beneath your skin to other areas.

Signs of nasal cellulitis include redness, pain, and swelling at the tip of your nose, which can eventually spread to your cheeks.

Other symptoms of cellulitis include:

If you think you might have cellulitis, get immediate medical attention. Early treatment can help prevent abscess formation and cellulitis from spreading to more dangerous areas, such as your lymph nodes or bloodstream.

Treatment for nasal cellulitis typically involves the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Your cavernous sinus is a space at the base of your brain, behind your eyes.

Bacteria from infections in your face, including boils from nasal vestibulitis, may spread and cause a blood clot to form in your cavernous sinus. This is called cavernous sinus thrombosis.

It’s important to note that cavernous sinus thrombosis is extremely rare and doesn’t happen without other signs of skin infection presenting first.

Get immediate medical attention if you’ve had a nasal infection and experience any of the following symptoms:

To treat cavernous sinus thrombosis, a doctor will likely start with intravenous antibiotics. In some cases, you may also need surgery to drain a nasal boil.

If you have nasal vestibulitis, you can reduce your risk of developing cavernous sinus thrombosis by:

  • regularly washing your hands before applying any topical antibiotics
  • not touching your nose unless you’re applying topical antibiotics
  • not picking at scabs in your nose
  • not squeezing pus from boils in or around your nose

Most cases of nasal vestibulitis are easy to treat with at-home remedies and topical antibiotics. More severe infections may require both an oral and a topical antibiotic.

However, some complications of nasal vestibulitis can be life threatening. Although rare, it’s estimated that up to 1 in 3 people with cavernous sinus thrombosis will die. You may also experience life-long complications if you do recover.

It’s best to speak with a doctor if you have a nasal infection to make sure you’re getting the right treatment.

How do you get rid of nasal vestibulitis?

Treatment for nasal vestibulitis typically involves a combination of at-home remedies and topical antibiotics. Some at-home remedies include applying a warm compress to the affected area and cleaning crusts with a saline solution.

Is nasal vestibulitis a fungal infection?

Nasal vestibulitis is typically caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus.

Why is the inside tip of my nose sore?

The inside tip of your nose may be sore due to excessive nose blowing, plucking your nasal hair, and picking your nose. These actions may lead to an infection, such as nasal vestibulitis. Instead of plucking nose hairs, it’s best to trim them.

How long can nasal vestibulitis last?

Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics may help nasal vestibulitis go away in 5 days. That said, nasal vestibulitis may last longer depending on the severity of your infection, or if you’ve developed any complications.

Nasal vestibulitis is an infection that affects the area inside your nostrils, which is where your nasal passages begin.

In most cases, nasal vestibulitis can be treated with at-home remedies and antibiotics. However, in rare cases, complications may develop that could require surgery.

If you experience symptoms of nasal vestibulitis, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.