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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Nasal vestibulitis is bacterial infection of the nasal vestibule, typically with Staphylococcus aureus. It may result from nose picking or excessive nose blowing and causes annoying crusts and bleeding when the crusts slough off. Mupirocin ointment applied topically 2 times a day for 14 days is effective.

Furuncles of the nasal vestibule are usually staphylococcal; they may develop into spreading cellulitis of the tip of the nose. Systemic antistaphylococcal antibiotics (eg, cephalexin 500 mg orally 4 times a day) are given and warm compresses and topical mupirocin are applied. Furuncles are incised and drained to prevent local thrombophlebitis and subsequent cavernous sinus thrombosis Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a very rare, typically septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus, usually caused by nasal furuncles or bacterial sinusitis. Symptoms and signs include pain, proptosis... read more .

Treatment of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections should be directed by culture and sensitivity test results. Typically, clindamycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim is available as a single drug or in combination with sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide antibiotic). The drugs act synergistically to block sequential steps in bacterial folate metabolism... read more , and doxycycline are effective against most strains.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Bactroban, Centany, Centany AT
Biocef, Daxbia , Keflex, Keftab, Panixine
Cleocin, Cleocin Ovules, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin T, CLIN, Clindacin ETZ, Clindacin-P, Clinda-Derm , Clindagel, ClindaMax, ClindaReach, Clindesse, Clindets, Evoclin, PledgaClin, XACIATO
Primsol, Proloprim, TRIMPEX
Acticlate, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak, Avidoxy, Doryx, Doxal, Doxy 100, LYMEPAK, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox 1x, Morgidox 2x , Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat, TARGADOX, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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