What Do I Do If My Nose Piercing Is Infected?

“What do I do if my nose piercing is infected?“. Indeed, this is a question many face when navigating the aftercare of a new nose piercing. Therefore, recognizing and effectively treating an infection is crucial for your health and the healing of the piercing. Here’s a guide to identifying and managing an infected nose piercing.

Infected Or Not?

Firstly, it’s important to differentiate between normal healing and a infection. Some redness, swelling, and clear discharge are typical in the first few days. However, if you notice increased redness, swelling, a hot feeling on the touch, throbbing pain, or yellow/green discharge, these are signs of infection.

If Your Nose Piercing Is Infected, Take These Steps Immediately

1. Firstly, Don’t remove the Jewelry: It might seem intuitive to remove the jewelry, but doing so can cause the hole to close up, trapping the infection inside.
2. Secondly, Clean the Area: Gently clean the infected area of the nose piercing with a saline solution. You can make this at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup of warm distilled water. Avoid using harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can irritate the piercing.
3. Thirdly, Apply Warm Compresses to the nose piercing: Soak a clean cloth in warm saline solution and apply it to the piercing. This can reduce swelling and draw out the infection.
4. Finally, Avoid Touching The Jewelry: Touching the infected nose piercing with unclean hands can introduce more bacteria to the area.

Seeking Professional Help:
If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. A healthcare professional might prescribe antibiotics or recommend further care.

Preventing Future Nose Piercing Infection:
To prevent getting your nose piercing infected again, always follow the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer. This brings us to the question,”How do you care for a nose piercing?” The key is keeping the area clean and dry. Make sure to regularly clean the piercing with saline solution. Also, avoid makeup or lotions around the piercing site. Finally, ensure your hands are clean before touching the area.

In Summary

Dealing with an infected nose piercing requires prompt and proper care. Recognize the signs of infection, take immediate care steps, and don’t hesitate to seek medical help if needed. To minimize risks, always follow thorough aftercare practices. With proper attention and care, your piercing will heal beautifully and be a stylish addition to your look.

For in-depth articles about several types of nose piercings, visit our nose piercing articles here: Nose Piercings

Need to find a piercer? Check out the Association of Professional Piercers.