Thanks all for the input, and stressing the urgency. Part of this is my fault...12 years since I have seen a Doc and been in VA system.

Lesson for all, don't tell the VA something chronic has been going on so long. Tell them about 30 days. Then when you get your referal, in my case to an ENT, you can change your story and be more honest. Getting past the initial wall of procedure and admin is the burdonsome part.

I don't know if this is good or bad, but I don't things are crusting up as much in there, maybe healing or maybe progressing to another stage? Regardless, I will still get checked out.

e

You are a smoker, and you haven't seen a doctor for twelve years?

What are you thinking, man?

TR

trans mucosal bacterial or fungal infection....keep your finger out of your nose...and stop smoking...apply topical otc antibiotic....give it 4 weeks...

Whatever it was, reality caught up with me recently, sir. I will definately be taking advantage of my VA benifits with regular check ups from here on out. I've just never had anything out of the ordinary go wrong with me before, no aches, pains, headaches, never broke a bone in my body...lucky I guess, and hopefully that luck doesn't run out anytime soon.

I tried the OTC anti biotic, perhaps not long enough then. I will give it another shot until I can get in to see the ENT.

Another thought
 

Have not posted on here in awhile but two concerns come to mind that i have seen. The nose can be a great environment for fungal infections and MSRA.

Fungal should be easier to treat. MRSA not so much. There is a medical reason why MRSA resides there. I could look it up but this is where we tell you...go to the doctor.

Don't let it migrate elsewhere.

The wheels of the VA turn
 

Went for my physical yesterday. All lab work and numbers are within desired ranges, with the exception of my triglycerides. Those were double (320). I had no clue that carbs and triglycerides go hand in hand, and I eat a lot of carbs.

That should be easy to control, and they have given me 6 months to do so before they prescribe any meds for that.

As for my nose, the doctor actually took a look inside this visit!

Antibiotics were prescribed, Cephalexin 500mg, and Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.025%. If after 4 weeks the sore is still there, then the doctor will refer me to a dermatologist for biopsy.

I have been told by another health care professional that the VA is roughly 10 years behind the curve in their approach to treating patients.

I still think the VA system is great, the surgery on my knee back in 2000 has given me much faith in them, I only wish that others would share that faith, but we each come away with our own experiences and opinions.

Thanks to all who have followed this thread, and those who have replied. Thanks for the nudging and convincing me to get my butt in to see the doctors. Will update as needed.

Have you stopped smoking yet?

TR

That, sir, would be a negative.

You should stop smoking and start chewing. Chewing is easier to quit.

I've quit three times, before.:D

e

Sarski, for what its worth, as a teen I had a similar scrabrous lump form just inside one of my nostrils and it turned out to be an allergic reaction to a parakeet.

I hope your problem turns out to be innocuous and gets resolved soon. It's no fun stressing out over these kind of medical "events."

Thanks.

To all, it looks like the antibiotics are working just fine, especially the topical, which would probably be more noticable. Antibiotics work pretty good for me since I rarely have taken them.

Of course it could be the topical is just keeping things moist, but there does not seem to be any fluid from the sore that eventually crusted, and as a result, the picking factor has gone way down.

I'll know more after I have run the course of meds, but it really appears things are clearing up.

WHEW!