Buzz
Nose piercings are one of the most popular types of facial piercings and are generally easy to keep clean. However, there are times when a nose piercing can become infected. Infected nose piercings are easy to treat and often only require a single visit to the doctor for a quick recovery. This article will guide you on what to do and how to care for your nose piercing.
Steps
Visit a doctor for treatment (recommended)
Observe signs of infection. If you’ve recently gotten your nose pierced, some redness and mild pain around the piercing site is completely normal. However, watch out for any of the following signs:
- Red streaks or inflamed marks spreading from the piercing hole.
- Increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or tenderness around the piercing.
- Discharge from the piercing that resembles pus, with a yellow-green color. A small amount of fluid or blood is normal, but pus accompanied by swelling and redness is a cause for concern.
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes above or below the nose piercing.
- Fever. If you’re otherwise healthy (not suffering from a cold or flu), a fever is a significant warning sign.
Visit a doctor. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above and suspect an infection, proper care for an infected nose piercing is essential. In most cases, infections are caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
- The doctor will prescribe antibiotic ointment or oral medication. Apply the ointment or take the prescribed medication, typically for 10 days to 2 weeks.
- Complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from recurring.
Keep the nose piercing clean. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap, scrubbing under your nails to remove dirt, and let your hands air dry.
- Using a towel can re-contaminate your hands, even if the towel appears clean.
Do not remove the stud. Removing the stud might seem like a good idea, but it can lead to an abscess. Always leave the stud in place unless a doctor recommends removal.
- Note that if you experience an allergic reaction rather than an infection, you should remove the stud immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction include a burning sensation on the skin, spreading redness, and/or clear yellow discharge.
Self-treating an infection
Consider avoiding self-treatment for infections. While home remedies can be used to treat infections, Staphylococcus infections can be very dangerous. However, if you cannot visit a doctor, you can try the following methods:
Use a disinfectant solution. Clean your nose (both inside and outside) with a natural disinfectant like warm saltwater. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and gently clean the piercing hole. This method helps eliminate any bacteria.
Soak your nose. Try soaking your nose in a cup of saltwater for as long as you can tolerate. While uncomfortable, this method ensures a deeper clean for your nose piercing.
Use natural antibiotics. Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic that you can purchase at most stores.
- Dip a cotton swab into the tea tree oil, apply it to the infected area for a few seconds, and let it dry. Repeat in the evening. The infection should clear within 1-2 weeks.
Tips
- Wash your hands every time you touch your nose piercing and avoid unnecessary contact with your face.
- Clear discharge from the piercing is normal and not a cause for concern.
- While over-cleaning is not recommended, most people advise cleaning the piercing about 3 times a day.
- Avoid applying or placing anything on your nose after cleaning!
- Ensure your piercer uses only medical-grade steel or titanium for the stud. Other materials, including gold and silver, can cause issues and even lead to permanent scarring.
- If the stud falls out, use a sterilized cloth to clean around the post and carefully reinsert it. Then, rinse again with saltwater.
- When washing your face near a new piercing, choose a dye-free, fragrance-free cleanser and rinse thoroughly.
- Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your jewelry, and avoid submerging a new piercing in bacteria-filled public water. Bacteria can enter the piercing and cause infections.
- Do not remove the jewelry unless there’s an infection, as the wound needs a drainage path while you’re on antibiotics. Removing the jewelry can lead to a painful abscess, requiring medical drainage or incision.
Warnings
- Only use sea salt, not table salt, as table salt contains iodine which can cause irritation.
- Similar to the saltwater soak method, chamomile tea is also effective in soothing the piercing. Boil some water, add a tea bag (you can include 1/4 teaspoon of salt if desired), and once cooled, use the tea bag to gently press against the piercing. This method is recommended twice daily if no salt is added.
- Always DILUTE tea tree oil, as undiluted oil can cause skin burns. Never apply pure tea tree oil directly to the skin.
- Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands and refrain from playing with it, as this can introduce dirt and bacteria into the wound.
- Do not change the nose jewelry before 3 months, as the piercing is still healing. Changing it prematurely can allow dirt to enter the wound.
- Avoid using bottled solutions, TCP, or hydrogen peroxide, as they kill bacteria and clean the wound but also destroy healthy cells, increasing the risk of infection.
What You'll Need
- Sea salt
- Hot water
- Cotton swabs
