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What Are the Common Causes of Pus in the Nose?
The most common cause of pus in the nose is infection located somewhere within the nasal cavity. Often this is caused by a primary illness that eventually escalates into a sinus infection. At other times, a sore or pimple can lead to pus inside the nose which comes from the sore itself. When caused by a sinus infection, other symptoms are often present. Most sinus infections will clear on their own without treatment, but some may need to be treated with antibiotics.
One common reason for having pus in the nose is a sinus infection. These usually occur when one has a cold or another respiratory illness. Bacteria or viruses can set up in the nasal cavities and lead to severe headaches, stuffy nose, runny nose, and sometimes pus drainage. Not all sinus infections will cause pus in the nose that one can see. Some people might also confuse pus with excessive mucus production in the nose.
Sinus infections are often treated with antibiotics, but these are not effective in all cases. Infections that are caused by viruses, rather than bacteria, will not response to antibiotic drugs. Patients who have a sinus infection should get as much rest as possible, and should blow their noses frequently to remove some of the bacteria or viruses. In most cases infections will heal naturally after a few days. Severe infections may eventually spread to the ears, leading to an ear infection.
Another possible cause of pus in the nose is a sore or pimple inside of the nasal cavity. This could occur due to injury, or a blocked pore or duct in the case of a pimple. Folliculitis, or infection of the hair follicles, can also occur. Staph bacteria is commonly found in the nose, and sometimes it can lead to infection in pores or sweat glands. This would lead to an eruption similar to a pimple commonly seen on the face. Pimples can also occur inside the nose.
If the pus is being caused by a sore inside the nose, it will usually resolve itself with time. Severe sores may have to treated with an antibiotic ointments, or oral antibiotics. Pain and bleeding may also occur. If sores last for more than a week or heal and then return, a doctor should be notified. More sores won't cause pus to ooze from the nose unless they have become severely infected. Pimples may "pop" and cause a small amount of pus to exit the nostril.
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![Pus that is caused by a sore inside the nose may require antibiotic ointment.]()
By: FirstBloodPus that is caused by a sore inside the nose may require antibiotic ointment. -
![A sinus infection commonly causes pus in the nose.]()
By: Graça VictoriaA sinus infection commonly causes pus in the nose. -
![A sore or pimple inside the nose could produce pus.]()
By: Deyan GeorgievA sore or pimple inside the nose could produce pus. -
![Most sores will not cause pus to ooze from the nose unless they have become severely infected.]()
By: HalfpointMost sores will not cause pus to ooze from the nose unless they have become severely infected. -
![A nose piercing could cause an infection, which may lead to pus in the nose.]()
By: gemenacomA nose piercing could cause an infection, which may lead to pus in the nose. -
![Pus caused by a sore in the nose may also cause pain and bleeding.]()
By: julaszkaPus caused by a sore in the nose may also cause pain and bleeding.
Discussion Comments
My sister doesn't have any pimple or any injury. She does have a migraine problem. Then what is causing in her pus?
It can also be a symptom of a condition called "Armyosyplissish" or a lack of citriallic acids in the body. Adjust your diet to include a balance of essential vitamins and minerals.
I hate it when I get a pimple up inside my nose! Every time that I blow it, the area gets more irritated. It can even be a little hard to breathe through the one nostril.
Blood and pink goo come out onto the tissue sometimes. I just have to breathe through my mouth as much as possible and try not to blow my nose so much to prevent the pain and pus.
@Kristee – I'm guessing it is the bright yellow stuff on the tissue that I thought was mucus. I had never heard of pus coming from the nose until I read this article.
When I blow my nose during a sinus infection, both blood and bright yellow mucus or pus come out. This isn't a normal yellow. It's very bright and alarming, and some people even have yellowish-green pus.
I can tell that my sinus infection is responding to the antibiotics when the color starts to fade and there is no more blood. Normally, mucus is off-white or light brown.
What does the pus from a sinus infection look like? For some reason, whenever I think about pus, I picture a mayonnaise-like substance.
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