When your nose hurts when you touch it, the most common reason is irritation or inflammation inside the nasal cavity. This can be caused by infections like nasal vestibulitis, which is a bacterial infection often triggered by nose picking, excessive nose blowing, or irritation from ingrown nasal hairs. Nasal vestibulitis causes localized redness, tenderness, sometimes pimples or sores inside the nostrils, and crusting. The pain you feel when touching your nose is due to the inflamed and sensitive skin or tissues inside the nose.
Other causes can include sinus infections or sinusitis, which cause pain and pressure around the nose and face, usually along with congestion and discharge. Dryness from weather changes or irritants can also make the inside of your nose sore and painful to touch.
If the pain is persistent, severe, or associated with swelling, pus, fever, or vision changes, it is important to seek medical advice, as untreated infections can lead to complications. For minor cases, avoiding nose picking, gentle nose blowing, and using saline sprays or moisturizers can help relieve symptoms and promote healing.
In summary, touching a painful nose often indicates local irritation or infection inside the nostrils, with nasal vestibulitis being a very common cause.
