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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) typically affects areas of the body where skin touches or rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, upper thighs, buttocks, and breasts. However, there are less common places where skin lesions can appear. Unusual sites for HS breakouts include the back, belly button, neck, and the face, including the nose.
One myHSteam member wrote, “My HS is everywhere — I’m even getting lesions in my nose and mouth. Is anyone else dealing with this? What remedies have you found?” Another member wrote, “Has anyone ever gotten a lump in your nose? It hurts really bad.”
If you’ve experienced HS on your nose, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider. Treatments are available. Read on to learn more about HS lesions on the face and nose and some tips on how you can manage them and improve your quality of life.
Research is limited on nasal HS because it’s rare. One myHSteam member wrote, “The doctor who finally helped me set up labs even said, ‘In my 20 years of doing this I’ve never had anyone get HS in their nose.’”
Despite it being rare, many myHSteam members have reported HS lesions on the face. Symptoms can vary from one individual to the next. For some people, HS facial lesions may be mild.
“I had one just by the side of the bridge of my nose. It made the whole side of my face swell for days — looked like I’d been punched.”
“It has hit my face area in a few places. It’s on top of my nose area and also has hit the left front part of my nose spreading to the inside area of my left nostril!”
HS on the face and nose is uncommon, but the symptoms are similar to HS lesions on other areas of the body, including:
It’s important to know that HS can resemble other skin conditions that are more common, such as certain types of acne, infected cysts, carbuncles (boils that can develop under the skin), and other skin diseases. One study found that 15 percent of people with HS also had acne vulgaris, which is treated differently from HS.
HS is more than just a boil. One criteria for an HS diagnosis is having two episodes or more over six months.
HS on the nose can be especially uncomfortable. “I don’t know how to even begin describing the issue I have going on both cosmetically and mentally,” one myHSteam member wrote. ”I have (what I now know to be) tracts inside my nose that are redefining the shape of my entire face.”
Other members have described how HS lesions on the nose have affected them: “I’ve been having a flare-up on my bikini area and at the same time been getting painful bumps under my nose right before it goes into my nose. They are so painful.”
Someone else described their distress at having HS lesions on the nose. “It keeps me very, very frustrated, aggravated, and depressed 24/7, and the sad part is that it has gotten me so very very ashamed of myself too,” they said.
There is no cure for HS, but you can take these steps to prevent flare-ups, ease discomfort, and speed up healing. Here are some self-care tips that you can discuss in more detail with your doctor.
A warm compress, placed on your nose, can reduce pain and help HS lesions cleanly drain. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it gently against your nose. You can also let warm shower water run over your face and nose.
Some people have reported using a cold compress to relieve symptoms of HS lesions. “Try getting a cold compress, like a gel-filled pouch that you keep in the fridge,” a myHSteam member wrote. Another member said, “Hot compresses help also.”
Always avoid squeezing or picking at a nose lesion or any HS sore or bump. Touching and picking at HS nose boils can increase the risk of infection and cause more severe symptoms. Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading bacteria to your face or nose.
If you have HS on your nose or face, it’s important to wash gently and carefully in order to keep your skin clean without aggravating it.
Your healthcare team can recommend skin care products that are appropriate for your particular HS symptoms.
Before trying a new product on your skin, it’s a good idea to test it on a very small affected area of the nose or face to see if you have a bad reaction. One myHSteam member wrote, “I don’t wear any makeup at all.”
For instance, some skin care experts advise against using tea tree oil on HS lesions because oil can clog pores and worsen your HS. Yet some myHSteam members have found relief with oil-based natural products. “I just keep draining [the lesions] and using tea tree oil and lavender oil,” a team member shared. Another member said, “I use Veet for sensitive skin with coconut oil.”
Your doctor or dermatologist may advise you to follow a routine for general skin care or wound care during HS flare-ups. Be sure to maintain your skin care routine, and don’t change it without medical advice.
Be aware that facial and nose skin can be irritated by face masks and eyeglasses on the bridge of the nose. Try to minimize this type of abrasion if you have wounds. This may involve switching from glasses to contact lenses or staying at home if you’re sick instead of wearing a face mask.
“I flared up this past week and I have five sores under my breasts, one on my bottom, one behind my ear, and one on the bridge of my nose (had trouble with this one when I started wearing a mask all the time), ugh,” a member commented.
Healthy lifestyle changes can improve your overall well-being and may help reduce HS symptoms on your face or nose. Adopting a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which can help improve your HS. Red meat, dairy, and foods that can cause your blood sugar to spike can worsen HS. It’s also important to quit smoking.
Talk to your healthcare team if you need help with healthy meal planning, creating an appropriate exercise routine, or quitting smoking. They can give you a referral to a registered dietician or physical therapist and resources to help quit smoking.
Let your doctor know if you have changing, worsening, or painful symptoms on your face or nose. It’s also important to see a doctor if you have HS and another condition that affects your immune system.
HS lesions on the face and nose can be treated the same way as HS on other parts of the body. Your doctor may recommend treatment options such as:
Always discuss potential side effects with your doctor when considering a new treatment.
In severe cases of HS, surgery to remove affected skin or procedures such as laser therapy and drainage of lesions may be recommended. Always get medical advice before making changes to your treatment plan.
If HS on your nose or any other part of your body is swollen, discolored, or warm to the touch, call your doctor and seek urgent care, particularly if you’re experiencing fever or chills. This can be a sign of an infection.
On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you experienced hidradenitis suppurativa on your nose or face? Let others know in the comments below.
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