Common Causes and Top Treatments

There are many possible causes for bumps inside your nose — some as harmless as a pimple, others that might need more attention. It’s easy to imagine the worst, but the truth is usually less alarming.

If you’ve got a painful, annoying, or strange bump in your nose, keep reading to learn what it might be, whether it’s worth worrying about, and how to deal with it.

So, what’s behind these bothersome nose bumps? Here are some common culprits:

This is inflammation of the nasal vestibule, the area just inside your nostrils, often caused by bacterial infections. It can lead to painful, red bumps sensitive to the touch. Common triggers include frequent nose-picking, blowing too hard, or even plucking nose hairs.

Like on your face, the pores inside your nose can become clogged with oil, dirt, and bacteria, leading to pimples. These can be painful and may swell, especially in such a sensitive area.

Non-cancerous growths can develop in the nasal passages or sinus lining due to chronic inflammation, allergies, or infections. While they’re usually painless, larger polyps can cause blockages, leading to breathing difficulties, a reduced sense of smell, or recurrent sinus infections.

When you pluck or trim nose hairs, the hair can sometimes grow back into the skin instead of out, causing an ingrown hair. If this becomes infected, it can result in a painful bump inside the nose.

A bump can also form inside the nose due to trauma, such as a blow to the nose, or even from something as simple as aggressive nose-picking. The trauma can cause the tissue to swell or become bruised. In some cases, a hard bump may form as the tissue heals.

Fluid-filled sacs that can form in your nose, usually harmless but sometimes uncomfortable.

A hard bump inside the nose might be due to problems with the cartilage, such as a deviated septum or cartilage overgrowth.

Small, benign bumps that may appear on or in the nose are often mistaken for pimples but are fibrous tissue growths.

Ready to say goodbye to that pesky bump inside your nose? The proper treatment depends on what’s causing it, but here are some ideas to ease the discomfort and promote healing:

• Apply warm compresses. Apply gentle heat to the area to reduce swelling and promote drainage if it’s a pimple or infection.
• Use saline rinses. Keep your nasal passages clean with saline spray or a Neti pot.
• Avoid nose-picking. Seriously, just don’t. Not only is it eurgh, but it’s a significant cause of trauma and infection.
• Moisturize. Prevent dryness and cracking with a gentle, nose-safe moisturizer, especially in winter.
• Leave ingrown hairs alone. Let them resolve independently or see a doctor if they get infected.

Additionally, if you’re dealing with nasal polyps, a healthcare professional might prescribe steroid sprays to shrink them and reduce inflammation, making breathing easier.

On the other hand, if a bacterial infection is the culprit, as in cases of nasal vestibulitis, your doc may recommend a topical antibiotic like mupirocin. This ointment is applied directly inside the nose to target the infection, reduce redness, and promote healing.