Is It Normal to Get a Nose Piercing Bump? (And How to Treat It)

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You’ve got a new nose piercing, and there’s redness and swelling, but everything else looks fine. But you’ve gone to sleep and accidentally snagged your jewelry. It hurt a bit but nothing serious. A few days later, you glance at your mirror, and there’s a bump staring at you.

Getting a nose piercing bump can be annoying and scary, especially for a first-timer. So many questions are rolling through your mind. Did you do something wrong? Is it serious? Most importantly, how do you get rid of it?

We’ve put together this guide to help answer all your questions about piercing bumps. 


Why do I have a bump on my nose piercing?

Redness, swelling, bleeding, itching, and clear or whitish pus are typical with a new nose piercing. Often, a bump may appear during the healing process. This bump may be on one side of the piercing or around it. 

The two most common localized swellings on piercings are:

  • Piercing bump: This is a small bump that forms at the site of your piercing. It is usually itchy and may contain fluid.
  • Keloid: A keloid is an overgrown scar tissue that forms due to your body’s overproduction of collagen. It can be painful, itchy, and tender while growing. 

Is it normal to get a bump by your nose piercing? 

It’s common to get a bump on your nose piercing. Some of the causes include:

  1. Poor cleaning practices, including using the wrong product
  2. Allergic reaction to your jewelry
  3. Poor piercing angle
  4. Touching your piercing with dirty hands
  5. Changing jewelry too soon or wearing the wrong type of jewelry
  6. Rotating your jewelry when your piercing is dry

When your piercing site is irritated and not properly cleaned, it increases your chance of getting a bump.


How do you know if it’s a piercing bump or keloid? 

Nose piercing bump - Is It Normal to Get a Nose Piercing Bump? (And How to Treat It)
piercing bump

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keloid - Is It Normal to Get a Nose Piercing Bump? (And How to Treat It)
Keloid

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Piercing bumps and keloids are different in appearance. A piercing bump is usually similar in size to the piercing area and may contain fluids, while keloids often extend beyond the piercing site and are hard and lumpy. 

Piercing bumps usually happen a few weeks after you get the piercing, while keloids occur months after and may increase in size over time. 

Still can’t tell them apart? Read our full comparison post for more details: Do you have a piercing bump or keloids? (+ pictures)

Can piercing bumps turn into keloids?

Piercing bumps do not turn into keloids. Although they result from your body reacting to the new piercing, different body processes cause them. 

A piercing bump is a reaction to irritation at the piercing site and typically disappears after a while. On the other hand, a keloid results from excessive collagen production and requires treatment.


How to treat a piercing bump in 7 ways

Although piercing bumps usually go away without any treatment, here are some ways to hasten the process and avoid infections.

1. Change Your Jewelry

Nickel allergies are common and may cause you to develop a piercing bump. Other symptoms of a nickel allergy, which may be mild or severe, include:

  • Itching
  • Redness of skin
  • Blisters
  • Burning sensation

Replace your jewelry with hypoallergenic jewelry, such as jewelry made from titanium, solid gold, surgical steel, and niobium. The bump should fade away in about four weeks.

💡 Warning: Avoid using plated material because when the plating flakes, it may become lodged in the piercing. 

Also, if your starter nose jewelry is a hoop, change it to a stud since hoops move around a lot and may increase irritation. 

If your piercing is still healing, let your piercer change your nose jewelry. Changing it yourself may lead to more irritation and worsen the situation. 


2. Clean your piercing 2-3 times daily

Your piercer will advise that you clean your piercing daily until it heals fully. Then, typically, they will recommend you use a sterile saline solution. The saline solution can be in a spray form, or applied using q-tips.

Before you touch your piercing, wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid fiddling with your jewelry while cleaning the piercing site.  

Avoid using products like hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, Neosporin, Bacitracin, and anti-bacterial soaps because they can dry out the skin and prolong the healing process.


3. Apply hypochlorous acid

Hypochlorous acid is naturally occurring in the body and is known for its antimicrobial properties and reducing inflammation. It is available as sprays like Briotech and is safe to use for even sensitive skin. Spray it on your piercing bump up to three times daily.


4. Sea salt soak

A sea salt soak can calm irritated skin and help clean your piercing. Wash your hands with soap and water before attempting this procedure. To do a sea salt soak:

  1. Pour one cup of warm water into a bowl.
  2. Add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt and allow to dissolve.
  3. Soak non-woven gauze in the mixture.
  4. Apply it gently to your piercing.

The sea salt soak usually softens crusties and makes them easier to remove with a q-tip. After removing the crusties, you can rinse your piercing site with the sea salt mix and pat it dry with a paper towel. Repeat this procedure two to three times daily.


5. Apply diluted tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It can help to reduce redness, swelling and prevent infections. 

However, don’t use tea tree oil at its full potency because it can irritate the skin. Instead, dilute it in a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, and almond oil.

To dilute the tea tree oil:

  1. Add 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil in a cup.
  2. Add 12 drops of carrier oil of your choice.
  3. Mix with a clean spoon. 

To apply the diluted oil to your piercing bump:

  1. Soak a non-woven gauze in the diluted tea tree oil.
  2. Apply on your piercing bump.

The oil may sting slightly when you apply it. If it causes an intense burning sensation, stop using it.

💡 Tip: Do a patch test by applying the diluted tea tree oil to your inner elbow and check for irritation after 24 hours.


6. Apply chamomile compress

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce scarring. A chamomile soak can help to soothe your piercing bump.

To make one:

  1. Drop a pure chamomile tea bag in a cup of warm water.
  2. Allow the bag to steep for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Soak a piece of paper towel in the chamomile tea.
  4. Apply the soaked paper towel to your piercing for 3 to 5 minutes.

You can repeat this procedure 2 to 3 times daily. 

💡 Warning: If you’re allergic to plants like daisies, marigolds, and ragweed, you may be allergic to chamomile. This method would not work for you.


7. Apply a warm compress

When fluid is trapped in the bump, a warm compress can help drain it without causing further irritation.

To do a warm compress:

  1. Soak a piece of paper towel in warm water.
  2. Place the paper towel on the bump and gently apply pressure.
  3. Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes.

 You can repeat this procedure 2 to 3 times daily. 


Why won’t my piercing bump go away? 

A piercing bump will typically only go away after several weeks. Even with treatment, it will not disappear overnight, but it should become visibly smaller within three days. 

The best recommendation is usually to leave your piercing alone. The more frequently you touch it, the more irritation you’re causing, slowing down the healing process.

However, if your piercing bump remains after several months, and you’ve done everything right, check for other symptoms such as:

  • Throbbing at the site of the bump
  • Increased or uncomfortable levels of pain
  • Foul-smelling yellow or green-colored pus from the piercing site

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it is likely a serious infection, and you should see your professional piercer immediately. Your piercer may then explain how to handle the infected piercing and recommend that you see a doctor for a follow-up.


FAQs about nose piercing bumps

We’ve answered some more questions you may have about having a nose piercing bump.

How do I get rid of a nose piercing bump overnight?

A nose piercing bump will not disappear overnight, but you can start to see visible changes within three days. Typically, it takes several weeks for it to be gone entirely. 

You may need to change your jewelry metal to a hypoallergenic metal like titanium. Start cleaning your piercing three times daily with a sterile saline solution. You can also try a sea salt soak, or a chamomile soak, apply tea tree oil, apply a hypochlorous spray or use a warm compress.

How long does a nose piercing bump last?

A nose piercing bump can last for up to six weeks, but with treatment, it will considerably reduce in size over the weeks. 

How do you dilute tea tree oil for a nose piercing bump?

Dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, and almond oil. Add 12 drops of carrier oil to 1-2 drops of tea tree oil to dilute it.

If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test first to be sure it will not irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.

Should I pop the bump on my nose piercing?

No, don’t pop the bump on your nose piercing. Sometimes, there’s nothing to pop, and even when there is, it will only worsen the bump and increase scarring. 


Get rid of the piercing bump

A nose piercing bump can be upsetting, but it’s good news that there are different ways to treat it. Once you determine whether it’s an allergy reaction to your jewelry metal or not, stick to a proper cleaning routine. 

Although there are many treatment methods to try, with a bump, less is more. Be careful not to irritate your bump further, and you should have a smooth healing process. 

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