The term ‘blind pimple’ refers to an acne lesion, usually a cyst or nodule, that lurks under the surface of your skin. In some cases, these painful lumps are barely noticeable but, when you get a blind pimple on your nose, you may find it hard to ignore.
A blind pimple develops much like any other pimple – from a combination of dead skin cells and oil blocking your pore and allowing acne-causing bacteria to thrive and cause inflammation.
This inflammation is what causes the redness and pain you may be experiencing with a blind pimple on your nose.
However, a blind pimple has not yet come to a ‘head’ which can be very frustrating if you’re a picker or a squeezer (which, hopefully, you are not as it increases the risk of scarring).
So, how can you get rid of a blind pimple on your nose?
How To Get Rid Of Blind Pimple On Nose
1. Steroid Injections From A Qualified Dermatologist
The quickest and most effective treatment is to see a dermatologist who can inject it with a steroid.
Steroids work in different ways but, when it comes to treating blind pimples, they reduce inflammation – fast – like, within a couple of hours fast.
In fact, it’s not unusual for an acne cyst that has been injected with a steroid to have healed within 24 hours.
However, it’s not advisable to go for this treatment option frequently as it can be expensive and there are risks involved, including:
- Thinning of the skin
- Atrophic (pitted) scarring
- Pigmentation changes (skin may get lighter or darker in that area)
This treatment is best left for social emergencies – i.e. ‘waking up with a huge blind pimple on your nose the day before your wedding’ – type emergencies.
However, there are a number of other ways that you can reduce the inflammation and pain associated with a blind pimple on your nose.
2. Ice it
Ice is widely used to reduce the pain and swelling associated with minor muscle injuries and it can do the same for the blind pimple on your nose.
While there isn’t any research to suggest that applying ice to an acne cyst can reduce its size, there is limited research that it can reduce inflammation in other skin diseases.
To treat the blind pimple on your nose with ice:
- Begin by cleansing your face
- Wrap some ice in a clean washcloth
- Apply to the affected area for up to 5 minutes
- Let your skin rest for 10 minutes (skin damage can occur if it’s cold for too long) before applying the ice again for another 5 minutes. Repeat this step as necessary, making sure that your skin does not get too cold.
3. Apply A Warm Compress
Applying a warm compress to the blind pimple on your nose can be done alone or in combination with the ice-cold compress in the steps above (if combining the two, the warm compress should be applied before the cold compress).
Again, there isn’t any research to suggest that the heat from a warm compress can reduce the size of an acne cyst, but it may help bring it to a head (and release pus) faster.
To Treat the blind pimple on your nose with a hot compress:
- Begin by cleansing your face
- Soak a clean washcloth in hot water (ensuring that the water is not hot enough to burn your skin)
- Apply the hot cloth to the affected area for 10 – 15 minutes
- Follow with an ice-cold compress (optional)
4. Diclofenac Gel (e.g. Volteral/Volteren)
Diclofenac gel is commonly used to treat muscle aches and pains but it may also help to reduce the size of the blind pimple on your nose.
This is because it is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and, as such, it’s very good at reducing inflammation.
As well as treating muscle pain, it’s actually approved as a treatment for actinic keratosis (skin lesions caused by sun damage that can develop into squamous cell carcinoma – a non-melanoma skin cancer).
However, as it is a medication, you should consult with your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist before using diclofenac gel to treat a blind pimple – especially if you have never used it before, have a medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
5. Pimple Patches/ Hydrocolloid Dressings
Hydrocolloid dressings are commonly used to heal wounds by absorbing exudate – the fluid that a wound produces as it heals (can be pus or clear fluid).
They also provide a protective layer over your skin and maintain its acidity which helps to reduce the risk of infection by preventing the growth of bad bacteria.
I’m pretty sure the trend of applying hydrocolloid dressings to blind pimples originated on Reddit; where users would lance (pierce) the acne cyst (I don’t recommend this as it increases your risk of infections and scarring) before applying a small piece of hydrocolloid dressing over the wound which seemed to shrink it overnight.
Beauty brands have since jumped on this trend to release ‘pimple patches’ – small circular hydrocolloid dressings (some of which have little spikes to pierce your skin) for use on pimples without the hassle of cutting them down to size.
Some initial research has shown that hydrocolloid acne dressings applied every two days for up to one week were effective at shrinking acne pimples. They also helped to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce redness
- Improve Oiliness
- Improve dark pigmentation
- Protect the pimple from UVB light
These are a great option for reducing the size of a blind pimple on your nose, especially if you have been picking or squeezing it as they can protect the wound you have created from becoming infected.
To treat a blind pimple on your nose with hydrocolloid dressings or pimple patches, apply the dressing to a freshly cleansed face and replace it every two days until the pimple has reduced in size.
6. Anti-Inflammatory Skincare
While slower-acting than medication, there are a number of skincare ingredients that can help treat blind pimples on nose with their potent anti-inflammatory effects and other anti-acne benefits.
Examples include:
- Retinoids
- Salicylic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Azelaic Acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Green Tea
- Centella Asiatica
- Tea Tree Oil
- Resveratrol
- Zinc
- Aloe
- Witch Hazel
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Licorice
A combination of these ingredients can help to prevent future blind pimples from cropping up on your nose (or anywhere else for that matter), unlike the previous 5 treatments which only really work for existing acne.
They do this by reducing oil production, increasing skin cell turnover, fighting acne-causing bacteria, as well as reducing inflammation.
When it comes to spot-zapping existing pimples, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, centella, and witch hazel are probably your best bet.
How NOT To Treat A Blind Pimple On Nose
Just like there are a few things you can do to treat blind pimples on your nose, there are also a few things you definitely should NOT do:
- Picking or squeezing – This just increases inflammation and the risk of scarring, as well as creating an opportunity for harmful bacteria to enter your skin. If you’re a picker or a squeezer, try using a hydrocolloid dressing or pimple patch instead as they can prevent you from messing with the blind pimple on your nose.
- DIY treatments – toothpaste, baking soda, lemon juice, pretty much any ‘natural remedy’ you see on Pinterest with an obviously airbrushed before and after picture? Just. Don’t. Do. It. They mess up your skin pH and are really not worth the skin irritation (at best) or chemical burns (at worst).
Summary – How To Treat A Blind Pimple On Nose
Blind pimples can be a pain – both literally and figuratively. They always crop up at the most inopportune moment and, if the blind pimple is on your nose, take the front-and-center stage.
There are a number of things you can do to treat a blind pimple on your nose:
- Steroid Injections
- NSAID Gels
- Hydrocolloid Dressings/ Pimple Patches
- Ice Cold Compress
- Warm Compress
- Anti-Inflammatory Skincare Ingredients & Spot Treatments
But, whatever you do, try not to pick at or squeeze it – easier said than done when you feel like your nose has a pulse.
