Buzz
During allergy season or when you catch a cold, blowing your nose can become more challenging if you have a nose piercing. Generally, you can blow your nose as usual with any type of nose ring. However, to avoid discomfort, prevent infections, or even more serious issues, we’ve compiled the most useful tips to keep in mind when blowing your nose, whether you’re new to piercings or a seasoned pro.
Steps
Wash your hands and use a clean tissue
Prevent infection in your nose piercing by avoiding touching your nose with dirty hands. Scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove any harmful bacteria. Always use a fresh tissue each time you blow your nose, especially if your nose piercing hasn’t fully healed.
Minimize pressure when blowing your nose
Blow your nose more gently than usual. Avoid pulling the nose ring with the tissue to prevent accidentally snagging or tugging on it. Be extra careful with a new piercing that hasn’t fully healed (especially during the first 2-3 weeks when it’s still tender), or you may experience pain and discomfort.
Blow one nostril at a time to reduce pressure
Use this method if you can comfortably block one nostril. Blowing one nostril at a time can lessen the pressure passing through the nasal cavity. Gently press a finger against one nostril and blow through the other, then switch sides to clear the remaining nostril.
Try using a nasal spray if you constantly need to blow your nose
Clear your nasal passages with saline spray or a decongestant. If you frequently suffer from allergies or colds, consider using a nasal spray to reduce pressure when blowing your nose. Shake the spray bottle, tilt your head, and aim the nozzle toward your ear while spraying into your nostril.
- For example, when spraying into the right nostril, angle the nozzle slightly toward your right ear. This angle helps prevent spraying too deeply into the nasal cavity, which could thin the nasal tissues and cause bleeding.
Inhale steam to soothe and clear your nose
Take a hot shower or inhale steam from a bowl of hot water. Steam therapy provides warmth and moisture to your nasal passages, making the mucous membranes more comfortable. You can also add chamomile or peppermint oil to the water for an added relaxing effect.
Use a straight stud instead of a hoop nose ring
Opt for this if you’re prone to allergies or feeling unwell. Wearing a straight stud instead of a hoop prevents tissues from getting caught or snagged when blowing your nose. Choose an L-shaped stud (or a double-flat style for septum piercings) that fits snugly inside your nose.
- When you need to blow your nose, flip the inner bar of the stud upright so it lies flat against your nostril. This prevents the stud from collecting mucus or being pushed out when you blow.
- You can flip the stud back down if it feels more comfortable or leave it up until your allergy or cold symptoms subside.
- Only use this method if your piercing is fully healed and you can change the jewelry.
Disinfect jewelry to remove mucus buildup
Leave the nose ring in place while cleaning. Use a saline solution to disinfect and remove mucus. Ensure the saline solution contains only 0.9% sodium chloride (the standard saline concentration). You can use a cotton swab soaked in the solution to gently wipe away any crusted mucus.
- Avoid removing the jewelry to prevent the piercing from closing. This is especially important if your piercing is less than a year old and still healing.
- Make your own saline solution by dissolving half a teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt in 240 ml of warm distilled water.
Clean the piercing twice daily
Dip a cotton swab in saline solution and gently clean around the piercing. You may feel a slight sting, which is normal, especially if the piercing is still healing.
- Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean the piercing, as these can irritate the skin and delay healing.
Use a cotton swab to remove dried mucus
Use a cotton swab to clean around the outside of the piercing hole. The skin around the piercing can accumulate mucus (especially during the healing period). Instead of using your fingers, use a cotton swab to gently remove any crust that has formed around the area.
- You can also use non-woven gauze to clean the nose piercing.
Keep the piercing clean at night with the T-shirt trick
Wrap your pillow with a clean T-shirt every night before sleeping. When you're sick (or during the healing period of your piercing), it's essential to regularly clean anything that comes into contact with the nose piercing to prevent infection. To avoid washing your pillowcase daily, simply use a clean T-shirt to cover your pillow and change it every night.
Avoid picking your nose
Picking your nose can lead to infection and bleeding. The tissues inside the nose are very sensitive (and even more so with a piercing). If you often have a lot of nasal crust, try drinking more water and using a nasal spray.
