Symptoms of Ingrown Nose Hairs
The symptoms of ingrown nose hairs are similar to ingrown hairs found anywhere on the body. Though the best remedy is to leave the area alone, other activities can help with the pain, make the infection disappear quicker and prevent the area from becoming infected.
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Cause
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Ingrown nose hairs occur when the hair follicle is dirty and therefore blocked, or when nose hair is removed or trimmed in the opposite direction than it naturally grows. This causes a blockage of the hair follicle, which forces the hair to grow beneath the skin.
Inside the Nose
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If you obtain an ingrown nose hair, expect soreness and redness inside the nostril. Often, a bump appears where the follicle is blocked, causing the nostril to be sore to touch.
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Outside the Nose
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The outer nostril displays redness and swelling. A bump may appear on the outside if the hair is growing backward. Sometimes, the ingrown hair is even visible from the outside of the nostril, and in rare cases, it can be removed from the outside.
Removal
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The safest way to eliminate an ingrown hair is to leave it alone. Hot compresses might help the process move along faster and help decrease the level of pain. When the ingrown bump pops, pus will be released and the pain will subside.
Warnings
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The healing time frame is different for each case. However, if the redness, swelling and pain levels continue to increase for days, visit a doctor. The ingrown area might have an infection, which antibiotics can cure.
Prevention/Solution
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In the future, keep your nose as clean as possible. Before removing or trimming nose hair, purchase a sterile, slanted pair of tweezers made for nose hair removal, work in a well-lit area and use a magnifying mirror.
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