nasal vestibulitis nasal vestibulitis nasal vestibulitis is the diffuse dermatitis of nasal vestibule. it is often caused by staphylococcus aureus. it may be secondary to chronic rhinorrhea, nose picking, or viral infections. in acute vestibulitis, the skin is red, swollen, and tender. in chronic vestibulitis, induration of vestibular skin and crusting is seen. antibiotic steroid ointment is sometimes helpful. chronic fissures can be cauterized with silver nitrate.