Here’s what you should do when a pimple appears inside your nose.

Breakouts can be bothersome, but some are especially irritating. A pimple inside your nose is one of the most painful and difficult to deal with. Not only is it uncomfortable, but reaching or treating it can feel nearly impossible. However, before you consider popping it, we reached out to dermatologists for their expert advice on how to handle it.

What Caused This Pimple in the First Place?

In simple terms, there are many reasons for a pimple inside your nose, but like any other pimple, it stems from a compromised skin barrier. Dr. Kenneth Mark, a cosmetic dermatologist, explains that “Clogged pores, ingrown hairs, or inflammation of the hair follicles inside the nose can all contribute to a pimple.”

What Should You Do if a Pimple Appears Inside Your Nose?

Although you may feel the urge to pop your pimple, it’s vital to resist the temptation, says Dr. Sandra Lee, better known as Dr. Pimple Popper. “Nose pimples are especially painful because the nose is full of sensory nerve endings, and the inflammation causes swelling, which leads to pain. Even just touching or moving it is painful. It’s hard not to touch or rub your nose, but you must avoid doing so.” Why? Because squeezing or picking the pimple can worsen the situation. “It will only result in a bigger pimple and more pain,” she explains.

How to Treat a Pimple Inside Your Nose

Resist popping your pimple. Dr. Lee advises that you should wait until a whitehead forms. “This is a sign that your body is fighting the pimple by sending cells like macrophages and neutrophils to combat the infection (likely bacterial) and literally push it out. That’s why a painful, deep red bump eventually rises to the surface of the skin and turns into a pustule. In this case, it surfaces inside the nose, which is actually a mucous membrane.”

How to Avoid a Pimple Inside Your Nose

While it’s not unusual for a pimple to appear inside your nose from time to time, frequent occurrences could mean you're doing something wrong. Dr. Lee suggests, “If you tend to get pimples inside your nose often, using a Q-tip and applying a topical antibiotic ointment like Mupirocin, which is effective against staph infections, could help. As dermatologists, we often recommend this for patients to reduce the bacterial count inside their noses.”

If you frequently get pimples on your face, it’s crucial to prevent acne-causing bacteria from spreading. Dr. Lee recommends using SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser. “Pair it with SLMD BP Lotion, which contains benzoyl peroxide to fight acne-causing bacteria that could spread to your nose.”

What to Do If Your Pimple Won’t Go Away

If your painful pimple hasn’t gone away after several days, it's time to consult a professional. Make an appointment with your dermatologist to have it checked out.