Nasal Disease Handbook

Nasal Tip Infection

You will occasionally develop an infection on the skin of the tip of the nose. This presents as a red, swollen, tender area. It may get better on its own or occasionally will progress to form a more severe infection and require antibiotics or even surgery. These infections occur because there are hairs lining the inside of your nasal tip. If infection develops at the base of one of these hairs (a condition which is called folliculitis), the Staphylococcus bacteria which are present in all noses invade the nasal hair shafts and cause a nasal skin infection. These are potentially dangerous for not only are they uncomfortable and ugly but, the infection can spread through the nasal veins into your brain. The infection can then involve a common drainage area called the cavernous sinus and if this becomes infected, even intravenous antibiotics may not save your life.

My recommendations for folliculitis diagnosed early are: First, apply an antibiotic ointment such as mycitracin, or bacitracin to the inside surface of the nose four times daily. Second, apply a hot pack to the outside of the nose for 5 minutes, 4 times a day. If the infection appears to progress, consult with your physician and an appropriate antistaphylococcal antibiotic will be prescribed.

For recurrent problems, a dab of the mycitracin or bacitracin applied once a day or once a week may provide useful protection.