The nose bump is not a very uncommon thing to show up after you get a nose piercing. This can be resolved in a few ways, but you have to show discipline in your routine before you make conclusions.
Among the most popular piercings out there, the nose piercing still stands out as the most commonplace to get a piercing. Whether this is the nostril, or the septum, or even the bridge – it is popular and relatively easy to maintain and generally safe as well. However, one thing that could be a concern, as with any piercing, is the aftercare and possible complications.
Mind you, these complications do not have to be extremely dangerous, but they do show certain unpleasant symptoms that are an obstacle to healthy healing, such as the bumps. So let’s answer what to do if a nose piercing bump won’t go away.
What to Do if a Nose Piercing Bump Won’t Go Away?
If a nose bump won’t go away, there are a few things you can do. Depending on the severity, you should take different steps to resolve this.
If the bump manifests mild redness and tenderness, you have to clean the piercing several times per day, with the recommended products (piercing cleansers, antibacterial soaps, mild gel washes, or DIY-approved solutions, cooling it off, and other methods) and then, apply healing or antibacterial/antibiotic ointments. Use these products/steps if the piercer or a medical expert previously advised for this.
Otherwise, if the bump manifests major pain, tenderness, or signs of infection, you should directly consult a medical expert, and wait for this to heal, before taking it out for the time being.
What exactly is a nose piercing bump?
A nose bump is a small, round tissue that forms around the nose piercing, and usually, it shows redness, tenderness, and swelling as well. It resembles a skin pimple, but it isn’t in most cases – it’s hard and painful on touch.
If the piercing is infected, this could also ooze with pus, and afterward, it forms a crusty, scab layer while it itches.
A nose-bump forms often with most people, but if it continues to show these unpleasant symptoms for many days and weeks, obviously the healing is compromised.
Types of nose bumps and their causes
The nose bumps can be of 3 general types:
1. Pustule
The pustule nose bump will look a lot like a small pimple, round and circle tissue, with a bit of redness over it. In most cases, it could contain pus. Luckily, these are not too scary to deal with.
2. Granuloma
This nose bump is more serious, and it is more visible too. It resembles a round bump, but often more elongated and lesion-like. Usually, these appear in the first 2 months within the piercing session.
3. Keloid
The third type is the keloid type, and this is unfortunately permanently seen, because it is scar tissue, with a small raising where the bump has been before. This is a thick tissue of a scar.
The causes for all of these nose-bump types are due to several reasons.
First, your piercer probably did not master the piercing techniques and did a bad job! Another reason is poor hygiene; do you often touch your face with dirty hands? Do you pick at your nose skin often? If yes, that is a possible reason. Another possible reason, even though not a major one, is wrong cosmetics for your face, i.e., wrong aftercare products. You have to double-check all ingredients and contraindications before you apply anything to the nose piercing hole.
Lastly, a big possibility is a bad piercing material. Many people are allergic to certain metals or jewelry types, and unfortunately, they find out after a piercing session
How to heal it? Any good advice or DIY remedies?
There are a few things you can do to relieve the skin irritation of the nose bump at home.
If you want to just remove the mild swelling and pressure, you can use an ice pack over it a few times per day.
If the bump is not too irritated, you can clean the piercing well, and remove it, to insert another one. Often, we react to various metals without knowing! Use titanium or surgical steel as the safest option.
Another option is to pay extra care to the hygiene and aftercare. When the piercing is healing, clean it a few times per day, 2-3 is enough. As a rule of thumb, you should always have these things at home: hydrogen peroxide, iodine (for topical use), ethanol alcohol, and healing ointments (for medical use are the best). The jewelry can soak in the alcohol, and you can clean the hole with hydrogen, then iodine, and apply ointment (if needed).
Other methods are saline water (sea salt), or natural compresses (chamomile tea, tea tree oil, Saint John’s wort), and similar.
Read also: Best Numbing Sprays for Piercing
When should I give up home remedies and head to the doctor?
Before you start to panic and head to the doctor, we assume that you have tried at least a few home remedies, or relief methods by yourself. If they did not work, it is time to consult a doctor immediately.
You’ll know when it’s time for this. The nose bump will remain the same, swollen, red, tender, painful even. Underneath it will be throbbing, and the pus won’t stop oozing. Do not remove the piercing at this stage! Wait until it’s healed.
Can I avoid nose bumps in the future, if I still wear my piercing?
Nose bumps can be avoided in the future, but only if you pay attention to several things.
This means under no circumstances should you pick at the piercing or play with it, especially not with unwashed hands. During the healing time, do not skip on the aftercare steps a few times per day.
Do not be on a budget when you purchase another nose piercing jewelry. You might save money briefly, but in the long run, your skin would react in bad ways!
And, also do not save money when it’s time to pick a piercing salon. A sure way to avoid nose bumps is the first step – leave the piercing to an expert!
Conclusion
In conclusion, nose bumps are a common thing when you get a piercing, but also this doesn’t always happen.
Remember to closely monitor the nose bump and how it progresses. When it happens, you must always clean the spot 2-3 times per day. For this, you can’t go wrong with the pharmacy products mentioned above, and you can also pair them with natural compresses and solutions.
If not resolved, immediately consult the doctor and piercer. Leave the piercing on while it heals, and you can remove it afterward, if you still want to!
Read also: How Much Does a Nose Piercing Cost?
