Nasal vestibule is the front most part of the nostril. The nasal cartilage encloses the vestibule and it is lined by skin. You can see tiny hair inside the vestibule which helps to filter dust and other tiny matters that we breathe. Nasal vestibulitis is inflammation and infection of the vestibule or the tissue around it. The common cause of nasal vestibulitis is staphylococcal bacterial infection. Habitual nose picking, upper respiratory viral infection, or chronic runny nose can also cause nasal vestibulitis.
In acute nasal vestibulitis, patient has severe pain, redness and swelling at the entrance of the nostril.
What Are The Causes Of Nasal Vestibulitis?
Nasal vestibulitis is caused by bacterial infection. The causative organism in majority of cases is staphylococcus aureus. Vestibulitis can be acute in onset or chronic. Certain factors predispose to cause this condition. For example a person having frequent habit of nose picking is more susceptible to develop infection in the nasal vestibule.
Nose picking can cause skin injury. Bacteria get easy excess through the break to cause infection and inflammation. Vestibulitis can also occur due to viral infection which causes inflammation and irritation in the nasal mucus membrane. Deviated nasal septum is another frequent cause of nasal vestibultis. This discomforting condition also occurs due to exposure to environmental allergens such as pollen, chemical fumes etc.
Symptoms Of Acute And Chronic Nasal Vestibulitis
Nasal vestibulitis can occur in one or both the nostrils. Irritation and inflammation of the nasal vestibule can be either acute or chronic. Acute vestibulitis develops rapidly and the symptoms are more intense. Chronic vestibulitis may have subdued symptoms.
The symptoms of acute vestibulitis are as follows:
- Pain in the vestibule.
- The area is tender to touch.
- Redness in the affected area.
- The affected side of nasal vestibule becomes swollen.
- The swollen area is filled with pus.
- Presence of a lump in the entrance of the nose due to swelling. This will cause difficulty in breathing through the affected side.
Prominent symptoms of chronic nasal vestibulitis include:
- The vestibular skin becomes thick and indurated.
- Frequent episodes of vestibulitis.
- Formation of thick crusts.
There may be frequent acute flare-ups if vestibulitis is chronic.
Natural Treatment For Nasal Vestibulitis
Nasal vestibultitis is painful condition. It can be diagnosed from its appearance and medical history of the patient. Nasal vestibulitis needs to be treated as untreated cases may lead to serious complications that include facial cellulitis and brain infection. The infection can spread to soft tissue around the nose or all around the face. Sometimes although rare, the infection can spread to brain through cavernous sinus located in the nasal cavity. Hence the condition must be treated as soon as possible.
The first line of treatment is use of broad spectrum antibiotic. It will help to kill the infective organism and reduce pain and swelling within few days. Application of topical antibiotics and steroidal creams is also useful. Besides the medications, cleaning of the nasal vestibule with cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide is important.
Few home remedies such as use of tea tree oil is also effective in mild cases. Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties. Mix few drops of tea tree with olive oil. Apply over the affected area.
Drink lemon juice mixed with honey once or two times in a day. Lemon has vitamin C which helps to strengthen the immune system. Honey has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Drink lukewarm lemon juice.