I forgot to ask if I should try to get into ENT sooner than next week?
Hi,
This could be small boils, folliculitis, nasal polyp or nasal vestibulitis. Small boils are common just inside the nostrils, where they can cause considerable pain. Folliculitis or inflammation of one or more hair follicles may be due to a pre-existing skin condition, such as eczema, acne, or dermatitis and sometimes injuries to the skin. This is sometimes infected with bacteria, especially with Staphylococcus organisms, that normally live on the skin. It is also important to rule out nasal vestibulitis which is caused by infection with the bacteria staphylococcus in the area just inside the nostrils. Typical symptoms are swelling, redness, tenderness, pimples around nasal hairs, or crusting. In most cases simple application of Bacitracin ointment and hot washcloths or a course of antibiotics are sufficient to treat the infection. Occasionally, though, infections can cause boils, spread beneath the skin, and rarely, spread through facial veins to the brain in a potentially fatal condition called cavernous sinus thrombosis.
It is good that your ENT will evaluate the rash. A speculum may be used to look inside your nostril. If you feel the above mentioned symptoms, you can move your appointment earlier to help in alleviating your anxiety. Take care and keep us posted.