Nose piercing bumps - what are they and how to get rid of them?

You finally worked up the courage to get your nose pierced, but now you have a strange bump at the piercing. Needless to say, you feel just like when your first pimple popped up just in time for graduation photos.

Do not panic! The Pierced team will have your back. This guide will explain what a bump is, how to get rid of it, and help you understand why some nose piercings have bumps.

Time heals all wounds, even nose piercings!

A nose piercing can take up to six months to heal. We know it's long. But it's worth the wait. And you will have a piercing that you can enjoy for years to come!

However, during this time, you may have to face some problems.

You may encounter:

• swelling
• Pus
• cork
• Bleeding
• big boss

Nose piercing bumps usually fall into one of three categories.

1) Pustules

Like a pimple or blister, the pustules are red in color. They are full of pus and may or may not be painful. Symptoms of a pustule may include:

• Itchy
• pain
• Burning sensation
• irritations

If your pustule is causing you pain, see your doctor or piercer for treatment options.

Pustules can have several causes, including:

• Pull or pull on the piercing
• Infections
• Trauma - for example, from playing contact sports and accidentally hitting the piercing or catching it on something.

If you see a red bump at the piercing, you can get it checked out before it gets worse.

2) Granulomas

A bump from a granuloma nose piercing will only appear weeks or months after the piercing, which is one way to tell it apart from other piercing bumps. This can happen at or near the piercing.

Granulomas are a reaction to trauma. They are caused by your tissue growing out in an attempt to fill a new hole in your nose.

This is an automatic inflammatory response. You don't necessarily have an infection with a granuloma, but it can be due to a granuloma.

There are a few basic steps you can take to help your granuloma heal without infection.

• Continue to properly and thoroughly clean your nose piercing and aftercare.
• Try not to pick it, otherwise it may bleed and the crust will pass.
• Visit a dermatologist for treatment.

3) keloids

The final possibility is that a bump from a nose piercing could be keloid. A keloid is basically an aggressive scar that forms at the site of a piercing. Some people get them and some don't.

While there is no way to avoid keloids if you are predisposed to them, you may want to take this into account before getting another piercing. If you have a keloid on your nose, you are more likely to get it with other piercings. Your piercer can tell you if your nose bump is a keloid.

If your body reacts to injury with keloids, you may want to have them removed by a doctor or dermatologist. Although it will cost you a little more, it will allow you to continue enjoying your piercing.

Many Causes of Nose Piercing Bumps

Nose piercing bumps can be caused by a variety of reasons. Just as the bump itself can be of different types, the causes can also be different.

Used piercing techniques

One area where you get what you pay for is piercing. Going to a cheaper store comes with the risk that a less experienced piercer may try to use a gun to pierce ears, for example, in areas that are better pierced with needles.

Make sure you go to a reputable salon and that your piercer is experienced in the type of piercing you want. Otherwise, you could end up with an unsightly bump...or worse.

Improper care

Not only is it important to strictly follow the care instructions for your piercing, but it is also important to use the correct type of care products. Make sure you understand the advice your piercer gives and don't be afraid to call him with any questions.

This is another area that shows the importance of using an experienced piercer. Someone who is not as knowledgeable might accidentally give you bad advice in this area.

Our favorite piercing products

Touching a piercing with dirty hands

Always wash your hands before touching your face, even if you don't remember the last time you washed your hands. Taking this extra step will help you prevent infection of the piercing area.

Allergic reactions and injuries

Sometimes accidents happen. Other times, our bodies react to jewelry or the piercing itself. In the event of allergic reactions, it may be necessary to replace jewelry with titanium. Be sure to avoid situations that could cause injury to your nose piercing until it is completely healed.

Our Favorite Nose Piercings

How to remove a bump from a nose piercing

If you have an infection, see your doctor. Otherwise, you can try to treat it at home using:

• Presses for chamomile tea
• Diluted tea tree oil
• Salt and/or sea salt solutions

Whatever you do, don't take out the jewelry yourself! Instead, carefully clean around it or the piercing will close. While pustules can be treated at home, keloids or granulomas often require medical attention.

Don't ignore the beat

We've taught you how to recognize bumps, what they might be, and when to seek treatment. If a bump from a nose piercing does not go away, see a doctor to rule out the possibility of infection.

Have questions? Need help?

The Pierced team is ready and waiting to help you with everything piercing related, from nose bumps and proper care to finding the perfect piercing jewelry and getting your next piercing. Contact us today or stop by one of our conveniently located stores for a piercing you'll love for years to come.