Written by Dr.Bayat

Associate Professor of Orthopedic expert,Brigham Hostpital

Do you have nose piercing bump? Do you want to know what has caused it and how you can get rid of it? If you are looking for ways to treat this complication, specially at home, then you are in a right place.

piercing a nose to wear extra jewelries like a ring can add to your attractiveness, but unfortunately, sometimes there may be complications after the procedure. One of the most common complications is that after installing the ring, the area around the pierced part may become prominent and swollen affecting all the beauty of the pierced nose. Here we will explain the main causes of nose piercing bump and its main home remedies and treatments. 

What causes a nose piercing bump?

There are several possible causes for swelling, inflammation, and bulging of your pierced nose where the most common causes are as follow:

• Infection:

If your piercing procedure is not hygienic or the nasal ring itself is contaminated, the site may become infected.

• Inflammation:

If the bump is cause due to inflammation, we will see a bulge filled with fluid.

• Tissue damage during nasal piercing

• Allergic reaction to piercing materials

• Tissue granuloma formation (a swollen, inflamed tissue caused by a reaction of your immune system)

• In the long term, the cause of a nose piercing bump can be the formation of extra tissue or keloids.

What can we do to treat a nose piercing bump?

The most effective treatment of the bump at the site of the nasal ring or piercing should be determined according to its cause. However, here are some of the most effective ways to treat or prevent a nasal ring bump:

• Proper post-piercing care (proper aftercare)

• Avoid manipulating, playing and pulling the ring

• Clean the pierced area regularly

• Avoid using chemical substances like creams around the pierced nose

• Be patient, healing needs time!

• Apply a warm compress

• Do not press the bump

• Use tea tree oil

• Apply a water and sea salt solution

• Apply coconut oil

• Use chamomile compress

Accurate and correct post-piercing care:

You should always follow medical advices that would be given to you before and after performing this procedure. Following these advices will minimize the tissue damage and the chance of a bump being formed around the pierced nose.

Furthermore, following these medical rules will help you manage inflammation or infection better without increasing the risk of developing later complications such as scars or changes in skin color around the pierced area.

Avoid manipulating, playing or pulling the ring

Continuous manipulation, touching, rubbing, or scratching of any part of the skin including the skin around the pierced area will lead into thickening, inflammation, swelling and redness.

Clean the pierced area regularly

Clean the area two to three times a day using sterile washing solutions like normal saline. Avoid using desensitizer arbitrary because the bump may become worse if the allergy is the cause.

Avoid using chemical substances like creams

Avoid using creams and perfumes near the nasal ring, as further irritation of the skin in the affected area will cause more damage.

Be patient, healing needs time!

Keep in mind that the nose piercing site takes about four to six months to heal completely. Do not change or remove the ring while it is healing without your doctor's approval.

Use a warm compress

A warm compress can reduce the inflammation at the site of the bulge. Apply a warm compress to the pierced nose with a little bit of pressure.

Do not press the bump

Do not press the nose bump in any way. Believe me it would not help at all!

Use tea tree oil:

In some limited studies, it has been shown that the use of tea tree oil has caused the nose piercing bump to shrink and it may remove protrusion. But note that this treatment has not yet been scientifically approved or widely confirmed or accepted by physicians.

Apply water and sea salt solutions

Rinse the bump with a solution of water and sea salt regularly. To make this solution, dissolve a quarter or an eighth of a teaspoon of sea salt in a cup of warm water.

Some studies have shown that using this solution is useful for healing bumps on the nose piercing site. Dip the nasal ring into this solution and wait a while (about five minutes) then gently dry the ring and the area. You can do this with washing serum as well.

Apply coconut oil:

Coconut oil may have anti-inflammatory properties, but its therapeutic effect in improving the prominence of the nasal ring has not been confirmed yet.

NOTE!

If the cause of the bulge on the side of your nose ring is an allergy to metal or jewelry, it should be replaced by a doctor. Avoid any arbitrary or self manipulation!

On the other hand, if the cause of the bulge in your nasal ring is an infection, clean the area two or three times a day with washing serum and be sure to wash your hands before doing so.

Two important points:

1. Alcohol-containing compounds or antibiotic ointments should not be used on the bump without your doctor's approval.

2. If the ring needs to be removed, it is recommended that this be done by your doctor.

Prevent nose piercing bump:

Make sure your ring or piercing area is hygienic:

Infected piercings can cause infection.

Use hypoallergenic piercings and metal jewelry:

There are people who are allergic to some metals such as nickel, or to the alloys of these metals. It is better to use hypoallergenic rings to avoid any allergic reactions.

Choose only reputable, safe and hygienic clinics to have your nose ring attached:

Failure to follow the hygienic tips can cause unpleasant future complications like bumps and infections at the site of nasal piercing.

Do not press on the bulge:

We urge you to refrain from squeezing or trying to burst the bulge at the site of the pierced nose, because the protrusion may be colloid or granuloma, and you may make it worse by your manipulation. In some other cases, it may be an infection that may become worse with your contaminated hand.

Early ring removal:

If the cause of bulging is colloid, removing the ring at the beginning of colloid formation will help its faster treatment. A specialist will treat the colloid by continuing specialized treatments.

Antibiotic ointment:

Sometimes, to prevent the formation of colloid tissue, at the beginning of the piercing procedure, a compound such as sterile antibiotic eye ointment is applied. Later at the end of the procedure, a small bandage is placed and pressed on the wound. After the wound heals, a silicone gel bandage may be used on the place.

The final words:

Treatment of the colloid or granuloma should only be done by someone who is a specialist in managing these complications.

Be patient, any healing process including the one used for the nose piercing bump takes time before you can see improvements. Also avoid taking medications on your own before making sure that the affected area is examined thoroughly by a physician.