interior of nose swollen and red with white bumps

[bumpy48]

I have had a re-occuring problem with my nose. It started in the left nostril and it was from what I tought was a scratch while blowing my nose that became infected. It became very red, sore and caused white bumps to appear inside and on the tip of my nose. I went the doctor and they prescribed altabax. It eventually went away after what seemed like forever, but was probably about 2.5-3 weeks. The tip of my nose, however, seemed to always remain a bit red, but not near as noticable as before. Now, my right side nostril has become infected and it is worse than the first time. This time the interior of the bridge is infected and very inflammed. The white bumps have come back and are very apparent, and it has spread to the tip of my nose again. I think it is even spreading now to the left nostril. I had enough altabax to use again and I am on the 2nd day using it but I can't seem to understand why this keeps happening. I am very frustrated because it is so obvious and makes me very insecure. Not to mention the pain; I can't blow my nose! The white bumps even spread the to the tip so if the swollen interior with white bumps wasn't enough, now the tip is looking the same! I need answers and help!!! The doctor I went to about a year ago just seemed to think it was staph, but why would it come back? Someone please help!

[Gonza04]

I had very similar symptoms: white pustules and redness in the inside of my nose, at the tip of my right nostril. It was ongoing for years, at least 4. I went to several dermatologists. One of them even said it was herpes...LOL.  Being in the medical field, I knew it was not that; so I kept on searching for answers. Three reputable dermatologists agreed that I had a staph infection.  
You see, we all have staphs in our bodies, especially in our mucous membranes. Our bodies keep them under control until the right conditions make them populate and show themselves in the form of inflammation, redness and white pustules.  I tried several antibiotic ointments, but the results were only temporary to none.
Finally, an internist I was working with told me that the only way to get rid of the problem is to take control back and keep these staphs quiet. This is done by improving your immune system. Easier said than done, but it worked. I got rid of the problem in a period of about 6 weeks.
I modified my lifestyle and diet: Started to exercise more, sleeping more hours, taking probiotics (at least 5 billion with 15 strains), taking more soluble fibers (phyllium husk), eating more vegetables and fruits, drinking more water, decreasing my alcohol intake, taking omega 3, taking vit. D3, drinking kefir, eating naturally fermented/unpasteurized foods, etc.
That staph in your nose will never disappear completely, but you can keep it from showing up if you improve your immune system. It worked for me.
Good Luck

[xv1900s]

Thanks in so many ways. You are a great teacher.

[Gonza04]

What finally got rid of the infection was this simple remedy:  Apple cider vinegar. Moist a piece of cotton with the vinegar and put it in your infected nostril, touching the pustules or redness you may have. Leave it there for 5 min, then throw away the cotton and let your nose dry alone. Do this in the morning and in the evening for about a week. You will see the infection gone in 2 to 3 days, but do this treatment for a week to make sure the staph is gone.

[imguessingyoudidnt]

ok well as it is, I'm not sure exactly what's wrong with either of you, but I'm pretty sure it is two different things considering you both have (although in some ways seemingly similar) different symptoms. I guess I will start with you bump. in your case this sounds like a very simple, very harmless, and very common case of folliculitis. in any case the white bumps are most likely cause by some type of bacteria that got in your nose, maybe from a pimple, or from a damaged nose hair root.... either way. take care of it and clean it well and it will pass. I can pretty much tell you its not staff, based on the way you said "your doctor seemed to just think it was staff". doctors don't "just seem to think" things are staff. its something that is specifically tested for and treated, because although common, its serious, and in rare cases even deadly if not taken care of. its not staff. biggest reason of all, and the reason id put my bottom dollar on why you aren't better... the face that you had antibiotics left over means that you neglected to take the entire course the first time around. Now, idk if you paid any attention in school, or if you just forgot, but there is a reason they prescribe a certain amount. you can take them, and start feeling better because the bacteria becomes dormant (if you will), but doesn't go away, it just seems like it does, and since your a doctor and decided its OK to stop taking them on your own, the bacteria, or virus or whatever it is you have built up an immunity to the antibiotic, and will now be unaffected by it... if you had kept taking them the first time around until they were finished, you would have weakened it, and kept kicking it while it was down until it was dead.... and then at least if you got it again the antibiotic would work again..... people only taking half courses of antibiotics is how super viruses happen... I hope that teaches you something cause the rest of us don't want to get sick, cause some people don't like swallowing a few more pills... good luck


- to ugh000... id bet the flakey skin id because the constant wet than dry, that happens when the pus hardens than brakes and pusses more. any skin would dry and get irritated from that. as far as you not liking how after trying and trying nothing works (I know, stupid doctors right?) ugh so annoying..... they think they know everything just because they spent 20 years in school, and specializing. and since EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD gets advanced medical treatment for a boo boo in their nose, its nothing worth appreciating right?... anyways... if nothing is working, literally try doing nothing. if it happens again, try waiting it out, and seeing what happens without treatment and take mental notes of how long, and what happens.... neither of you should be touching your noses at all when this is happening to you by the way, it will absolutely make it worse... don't pick your nose, or try popping anything like its a pimple..... but anyways, oh yeah, try giving your immune system a break, and let it recoup. think about it. it has this (probable) bacterial infection to deal with, plus  multiple courses of antibiotics, and creams and ointments you have been shoving into yourself... try letting nature take its course, while keeping it clean and sterile... at the very least, you gave your body a rest. but as I said before if u start a course DONT STOP IT... you people will end up being the downfall of the human race with that crap....... and listen UGGY.. between me and you.... and this is just a shot in the dark here so don't get offended.. just a hunch based on the impatient way you perceive the treatment you have received already, the way you seem to be unintentionally  overplaying your entire situation and seeming like you really think its something life threatening, the way you use goofy irrelevant examples to make it seem like you know more about what your talking about than you do, and the multiple cultures you have felt the need to get for the same condition all (to me anyways) scream to be drug addicted behavior.... if I'm right try not sticking the same "snooter" up your nose all the time... and definitely don't use rolled up dollar bills.... common now just think of how gross that is... if your going to do it.... which I really don't condone or suggest. cut a brand new, in the paper straw in half, and throw it away after each use.....  well I hope that helps.... this post was truly written to help you. if my attitude offends you, just know, its not me its you. its just how I am. good luck

[ughhh000]

I have sometime very simiar to this. It started winter of 2009 when I got a red bump on the bridge of my nose which flaked skin. Then little white bumps started to appear both on the bridge of my nose and on the outer rim of each nostril (very small, little pus bubbles which broke fairly quickly and then the surrounding skin became flaky). It keeps coming back, even after trials of antibiotic ointments and oral antibiotics.. very annoying...

I'm tired of this trial process that keeps failing. I'm tired of taking antibiotics. My nose has been cultured multiple times and the results keep coming back negative for staph, but staph is the only thing that would be so recurring and (this recurrence) so painful.

This last time it came back (two days ago) it was the worst. It started with two little lesions in each nostril which oozed a yellow, sticky puss (like the kind which ooze from a spider bite or a horsefly bite). When the puss dried it would break off and more puss would ooze out and dry (sorry for anyone who is completely disgusted by this..). One of the lesions healed but the other is worse than ever! There's blood mixed in with the puss and my entire right nostril is just throbbing. So painful. The throbbing extends out to my cheek. I will go get another culture taken today. FML.