Merck Manual

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Bacterial Nasal Infections

By

Marvin P. Fried

, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital of Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2023
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Bacteria may cause pimples and boils (furuncles) to form just inside the opening of each nostril (the nasal vestibule).

Nasal vestibulitis

Minor infections at the opening of the nose, called nasal vestibulitis, may result in pimples at the base of nasal hairs (folliculitis) and sometimes crusts around the nostrils. The cause is usually the bacteria Staphylococcus. The infection may result from nose picking or excessive nose blowing and causes annoying crusts and bleeding when the crusts slough off.

Mupirocin ointment usually cures nasal vestibulitis. The ointment may need to be used for many weeks.

Nasal furuncles

More serious infections result in boils (furuncles) in the nasal vestibule. Nasal furuncles may develop into a spreading infection under the skin (cellulitis) at the tip of the nose. A doctor becomes concerned about infections in this part of the face because veins lead from there to the brain. A life-threatening condition called cavernous sinus thrombosis Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a very rare disorder in which a blood clot (thrombosis) forms in the cavernous sinus (a large vein at the base of the skull). Cavernous sinus thrombosis is usually... read more can develop if the bacteria spread to the brain through these veins.

A person with a nasal furuncle usually takes an antibiotic by mouth and applies mupirocin ointment and also moist hot cloths 3 times a day for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. A doctor may need to surgically drain large boils or those that do not respond to antibiotic therapy.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Bactroban, Centany, Centany AT
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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