Coarse hairs line the inside of your nose. These hairs, known as cilia, trap microscopic particles that enter your nose and prevent them from entering your respiratory system, according to the University of California, San Diego. Cilia grows from hair follicles within the nose, which at times may clog with dirt or skin oils. A pimple, or comedone, can develop as a result of the clog. Popping or extracting the pimple requires careful methods to prevent damaging the delicate skin lining within the nose.
Step 1
Fill a small saucepan half-full with water. Place the saucepan on your stovetop.
Step 2
Turn on the burner and bring the water to a boil. Turn off the burner once the water boils and move the saucepan to a trivet or hot pad.
Step 3
Stand over the boiling water, keeping your face at least 12 inches above the steam. Allow the steam to penetrate the inside of your nose, softening the skin around the pimple for 10 minutes.
Step 4
Press a clean cotton swab against the pimple in your nose. Apply gentle pressure, releasing the trapped dirt and oil.
Step 5
Squeeze a small amount of antibiotic ointment (about the size of a grain of rice) onto the tip of a second clean cotton swab. Apply the antibiotic ointment to the popped pimple four times daily to prevent infection.
Tips and Warnings
- The pimple may not come to a head with the first steam treatment. If the pimple does not release the trapped dirt and oils with gentle pressure, repeat the steaming process. If you are unable to use steam to soften the skin around the pimple, try applying a heat pack to the outside of your nose. Hold the hot pack against the skin of your nose for five minutes four times a day until the skin softens.
- Do not use your fingers to pop the pimple. Your fingers may contain bacteria that can transfer to the pimple and cause infection. Do not apply force when pressing the cotton swab against the pimple. Forcibly popping the pimple can damage the follicle, preventing the growth of new cilia hairs. If the pimple inside your nose becomes painful, returns repeatedly or does not resolve after steaming, consult your physician.
Things You'll Need
- Saucepan
- Water
- Stovetop
- Cotton swabs
- Antibiotic ointment
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