Nasal vestibulitis is infection of the area just inside the opening of each nostril (the nasal vestibule).

Minor infections at the opening of the nose 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. Bacitracin ointment or mupirocin ointment usually cures these infections.

More serious infections result in boils (furuncles) in the nasal vestibule. Boils 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 can develop if the bacteria spread to the brain through these veins (see Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis).

A person with nasal vestibulitis usually takes an antibiotic by mouth and applies 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.

Last full review/revision July 2008 by Marvin P. Fried, MD