It is easily the most annoying place to get a breakout. You’re minding your business, and suddenly, there is that sharp, throbbing pressure right inside your nostril or right on the bridge. It hurts to sneeze. It hurts to blow your nose. Honestly, it just hurts to exist. When you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of zits in nose, the first impulse is usually to grab a magnifying mirror and start squeezing. Please, for the love of everything holy, don't do that.
The skin inside your nose is incredibly delicate. It isn't like your chin or your forehead. This area is packed with tiny blood vessels and nerves that lead pretty much directly toward your brain. There is a reason doctors call the area from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth the "Danger Triangle." If you mess with an infection here—and a zit is technically a tiny infection—you’re playing a high-stakes game.
We’re going to talk about what works, what’s dangerous, and why that "pimple" might actually be something else entirely.
Why Is This Happening to You?
Most of the time, it’s just a clogged pore. Your nose is a grease factory. The sebaceous glands there are hyperactive because they need to keep the skin supple. But sometimes, those glands get greedy. They pump out too much oil, mix with some dead skin cells, and boom—you've got a blockage.
Then there are the hairs.
Nasal hairs are great for filtering out dust, but they’re also prone to becoming ingrown. If you trim your nose hair or pluck it (ouch), you’re basically inviting a hair to grow sideways into the follicle wall. That creates a red, angry bump that feels exactly like a zit. You also have to consider bacteria. We all have Staphylococcus aureus hanging out in our noses. Usually, it’s fine. But if you have a tiny scratch from a dry winter or a rough tissue, that bacteria moves in and starts a party. That’s when things get painful.
Is it a Pimple or Vestibulitis?
This is a big distinction. A standard pimple is localized. Nasal vestibulitis, however, is an infection of the nasal vestibule—the front part of the nostrils. If the redness starts spreading, or if you see a collection of small bumps and crusting, you aren’t dealing with a simple zit anymore. You’re dealing with an infection that probably needs a prescription-strength mupirocin ointment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, persistent or spreading redness in the center of the face should always be checked by a pro because of that whole "Danger Triangle" situation I mentioned earlier.
✨ Don't miss: Horizon Treadmill 7.0 AT: What Most People Get Wrong
The Safe Way to Handle It
So, you have a bump. It’s localized. It’s driving you crazy. Here is the actual, boring, but effective way to handle it without ending up in the ER.
Warm compresses are your best friend. Take a clean washcloth. Soak it in warm water—not scalding, just pleasantly warm. Press it against the area for about ten minutes. Do this three or four times a day. What this does is simple physics. It softens the "plug" of the pore and encourages blood flow to the area, which helps your immune system do its job. If the zit is inside the nostril, you can use a cotton swab dipped in warm water. Just be gentle.
Skip the heavy creams.
People love to slather on thick moisturizers, but if you’re trying to learn how to get rid of zits in nose fast, you need to let the skin breathe. If the pimple is on the outside, a tiny dab of 2% salicylic acid or a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment is fine. If it’s inside, keep the chemicals out. The mucous membrane is too sensitive for harsh acne meds.
Try a hydrocolloid patch.
If the zit is on the exterior of your nose, these things are magic. They’re basically little stickers that suck the gunk out of a pore while keeping you from picking at it. Since the nose is a high-motion area, these patches stay on better than a glob of cream that will just rub off on your pillowcase.
🔗 Read more: How to Treat Uneven Skin Tone Without Wasting a Fortune on TikTok Trends
Dealing With the "Internal" Pain
When the bump is deep inside, the pressure is what kills. You can actually use a tiny bit of diluted tea tree oil if you’re careful. Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial. But listen: you must dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil. Putting straight tea tree oil on a nasal membrane is like putting a lit match to your skin. It will sting like crazy and could cause a chemical burn.
A 1:10 ratio is usually safe.
If it's an ingrown hair, don't go digging. I know it's tempting. I know you want to get the tweezers out. But digging in there creates an open wound in a dark, moist, bacteria-heavy environment. That is a recipe for a staph infection. Let the warm compresses draw the hair to the surface naturally.
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people think "more is better." More scrubbing, more soap, more picking.
Actually, the skin on your nose reacts to trauma by producing more oil. If you scrub your nose raw with a physical exfoliant, your brain sends a signal: "Hey, we're drying out down here! Send more sebum!" Two days later, you have three new zits to replace the one you just scrubbed away.
Another mistake? Using dirty tools. If you use a comedone extractor that hasn't been sterilized with rubbing alcohol, you are literally injecting bacteria into your pores. It’s gross, and it’s why people end up with cystic acne on their nose that lasts for weeks instead of days.
💡 You might also like: My eye keeps twitching for days: When to ignore it and when to actually worry
When to See a Doctor
Honestly, if the bump is inside your nose and it hasn't improved in three days, or if you start getting a headache or a fever, go to urgent care. It sounds dramatic, but cavernous sinus thrombosis is a real (though rare) condition where an infection from the face spreads to the brain. It’s not worth the risk for a $20 co-pay.
If the "zit" looks like a cold sore—tingly, fluid-filled blisters—that’s probably HSV-1. Acne treatments won't touch that. You'll need an antiviral like valacyclovir.
Preventing Future Nose Zits
If you're someone who gets these constantly, it’s usually a habit issue.
- Stop touching your nose. Your hands are filthy. Every time you rub your nose, you’re transferring oil and bacteria.
- Clean your glasses. If you wear glasses, that bridge is a breeding ground for bacteria. Wipe them down with an alcohol prep pad every single night.
- Check your nasal spray. If you use Flonase or Afrin, the tip of that bottle can get pretty nasty. Clean it after every use.
- Change your pillowcase. Do it twice a week. Your face spends eight hours a day pressed against it.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re staring at a red bump right now, here is your immediate plan:
- Stop touching it. This is the hardest part, but the most important.
- Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes. Repeat this once more before bed.
- Apply a thin layer of Bacitracin if the skin is broken or it feels like an infection. If it’s just a standard whitehead on the bridge of your nose, use a hydrocolloid patch overnight.
- Hydrate. It sounds cliché, but keeping your mucous membranes hydrated from the inside out helps prevent the cracking that allows bacteria to enter.
- Monitor for spreading redness. If the redness moves toward your cheek or eye, call a doctor immediately.
The nose is a sensitive neighborhood. Treat it with a little respect, and that zit will usually clear up on its own in 48 to 72 hours. Pick at it, and you're looking at a week of pain and a possible scar.