Synonyms in a broader sense
“Huge pimple on the nose”
Definition
Nasal furuncle is a bacterial infection of a hair root (hair follicle) at the entrance of the nose. A danger exists when the pus that develops melts into the surrounding tissue. A nasal furuncle on the inside of the nose is not only extremely unpleasant, but must also be taken seriously.
If the furuncle opens on the inside of the mucous membrane, it is usually a painful process. Also the hygienic conditions of the nasal mucous membrane are not conducive to the healing of the furuncle. To avoid serious complications, an antibiotic must be prescribed in most cases. Until the furuncle has healed, the patient should not touch the furuncle if possible, in order not to spread the bacteria further.
Therapy
There are several ways to treat a boil in or on the nose. Damp compresses with alcohol or antibiotic-containing ointments can be used. These disinfect the area of the boil from the outside and at the same time have a cooling and pain-relieving effect.
An antibiotic can also be used. This should stop the further multiplication of the germs. In addition, a mechanical irritation of the nose should be avoided.
It may be advisable to eat food that is as soft as possible so that the mouth does not open wide and you do not have to chew too much. The majority of all nasal furuncles can be cured with sufficient hygiene and an ointment. Primarily so-called “pulling ointments” are used.
Pulling ointments are absorbed into the skin to which they are applied and at this point stimulate the blood circulation and have a pain-relieving effect. In addition, they block the flow of sebum, which in most cases is the cause of the boil, and have an anti-inflammatory effect to counteract the viral, bacterial or otherwise triggered inflammation in the boil. Infusion ointments are also available without prescription in every pharmacy.
They should be used until the inflammation has subsided completely. For the face and thus also the nose, lower dosages are usually used. If the nasal furuncle is very large or does not recede after a certain time, other remedies must be used.
Especially if the swelling is large, reddened and painful, bacterial inflammation is suspected. To treat this as quickly as possible, antibiotic ointments are recommended. Antibiotics in tablet form or intravenously are only used in the case of solid, large infections, whereas antibiotic ointments can be used particularly well for boils.
In addition to the ingredients of a typical pulling ointment, they contain a penicillin or a tetracycline to also prevent the surrounding germ transfer. Ointments may sometimes cause allergic reactions to the ingredients in the form of redness, rashes and itching. Antibiotics are drugs that are effective against infections with bacteria.
For this reason, the pathogen should ideally be determined before deciding on a therapy and choosing an antibiotic. Since fungi and viruses can also be responsible for nasal furuncles, the administration of antibiotics is not always the remedy of choice for nasal furuncles. If a bacterium is the cause of the inflammation, an antibiotic can help to get the furuncles under control again quickly.
Depending on the size and number of inflammations, a local antibiotic in the form of an ointment can be applied, or a systemic antibiotic can be taken as a tablet. In the case of very severe inflammation, antibiotics may also have to be administered via the vein. The advantage of the locally applicable antibiotic is the better tolerability due to the reduction of side effects.
However, in the case of a large number of boils, or a pronounced symptomatology, such as an elevated temperature, the use of the systemic antibiotic, which is effective throughout the body (tablet or intravenous administration) is preferable despite possible side effects. It is important, however, to treat nasal furuncle early: the longer the inflammation persists, the more skin tissue is destroyed and this can be effectively prevented by the administration of antibiotics. Which antibiotic and which type of application is the remedy of choice in the individual case should be decided by the treating dermatologist.
Home remedies for the treatment of a nasal furuncle must not be used if the furuncle has been present for a long time, is excessively widespread or is very painful. A pronounced boil must be treated carefully, especially on the face. First of all, the affected area must be treated particularly hygienically.A boil always offers an entry point for germs and potential further inflammation.
Some medicinal herbs can stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. Lapacho, thyme, myrrh or rosemary can be prepared as tea and can actively accelerate the healing process. Chamomile tea also has a supportive effect on the healing process.
Various remedies can be prepared as compresses and applied to the boil. These include healing earth, quark or white cabbage. They work especially before pain and pus develops from the boil.
With all household remedies, sufficient hygiene must be ensured so that no further inflammations can form and spread. Heat also promotes the course of a boil significantly. The heat promotes the natural healing power of the body and the boil suppurates and opens, which accelerates its development and healing.
Saunas are a possible remedy of choice. The sole treatment of a nasal furuncle with homeopathic medicines cannot be recommended. There are some homeopathic remedies that are supposed to help against a boil.
Since the effectiveness of these remedies has not yet been proven, a physician should be consulted prior to self-therapy with them and the available treatment options should be discussed with him. Especially if the boil persists longer (longer than 2 days), spreads or other symptoms such as fever occur, a visit to a doctor is highly recommended. Also people who have an increased health risk because of existing pre-existing illnesses, such as people who have diabetes mellitus, should prefer to see a doctor instead of using homeopathic remedies.
The same applies to people with a weakened immune system. In many cases, a self-therapy is preferred to a visit to a doctor, since the medicines prescribed there are viewed critically due to their side effects. In this case, it is possible to calm down, since a nasal furuncle in many cases only requires local therapy and the side effects are limited.