Nose piercing is one of the most common piercings made on the face. Generally, nose piercings are fairly easy to clean, but any type of piercing can become infected. Fortunately, nose piercing infections are easy to treat. If you suspect that your nose piercing is infected, you can try treating it yourself at home. However, you may also need to seek medical attention. After giving treatment, you also need to take some steps to prevent the infection from recurring while keeping your nose healthy!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Watch for signs of infection
If you suspect you have an infection, you should immediately see a doctor. If left untreated, the infection can get serious quickly. While there are several treatments you can try at home, it's best to seek medical attention if you suspect an infection. Symptoms of infection include:
- Fever
- Redness
- Swelling of the skin around the piercing
- Pain or sensitivity to pain
- There is a yellow or green liquid coming out of the piercing
Step 2. Use a warm compress if swelling occurs
A warm compress can help relieve swelling by draining the fluid. You can make a warm compress by soaking a clean cloth in warm water and then placing it on the infected surface. Leave the cloth on the area then press gently.
- Don't press the cloth too hard. If you feel pain when the area is gently pressed, stop using the warm compress and consult a doctor.
- Make sure there is a wide enough gap between the wipe and your nostril so that you can still breathe comfortably.
- The warm compress will also soften the hardened liquid so it can be cleaned.
Step 3. Clean the piercing 3 or 4 times a day as long as it is infected
After washing your hands, use soap and warm water to clean the area around the piercing. Next, pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth.
- It's a good idea to use disposable wipes or wipes to make sure no germs or bacteria are carried back.
- You can also use sea salt solution as a natural antiseptic instead of soap.
Step 4. Use a sea salt solution to clean your piercing instead of soap
Sea salt solution is a natural antiseptic that won't dry out the skin too much. Simply mix about 0.25 teaspoon (about 1 ml) of sea salt with 1 cup (250 ml) of distilled or warm water. Place your face over the sink, pointing your nose down. Slowly pour in the sea salt solution. Do not let any solution into your nostrils.
- If you are using a spray bottle, point the tip down when spraying the solution.
- If you are using a glass or bowl, slowly pour the solution so that it flows in the direction of the piercing.
- Only use sea salt. Never use table salt that contains iodine.
- This treatment is best done after you shower.
- Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are not recommended for use in piercings because they will hinder skin recovery. So, just use soap and water, unless recommended by a doctor.
Step 5. Remove any debris and dry skin from around the piercing area
After cleaning your piercing, try to remove any skin debris or hardened liquid around the piercing. It's best to do this while your skin is still wet. That way, damage or injury to the skin around the piercing can be minimized. Gently wipe away any dry dust or skin debris with a clean cloth.
Step 6. Leave the earring in the nose even if there is an infection
Nose piercings can close quickly. In fact, if the piercing is closed, the fluid that is formed due to infection cannot flow out. Leaving the earrings in place allows fluid from the infection to drain out so it doesn't accumulate and form an abscess.
Always follow the doctor's advice. If your doctor recommends it, remove the earrings from the piercing
Step 7. See a doctor if symptoms of infection persist for more than 2 weeks
Some people may only experience 1 or 2 symptoms of infection which hopefully will resolve with good treatment at home. However, if these symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, you should see a doctor immediately. Medical treatment may be needed to treat it.
- Nose piercing infections can get serious and even threaten your safety. This infection can also cause physical disability.
- Staphylococcal infections are at high risk for nose piercings because these bacteria live naturally in the nose. Infections caused by these bacteria can quickly become very dangerous.
Method 2 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. See a doctor if you experience any strange or unusual symptoms
If you suspect that your nose piercing is infected, you should immediately visit a doctor. Even so, there are times when medical help is really urgently needed to prevent further complications. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or visit the emergency department:
- Severe pain around the piercing.
- A burning or stabbing sensation around the piercing.
- Severe redness or high heat near the piercing.
- Lots of green, gray, or yellow discharge from the piercing.
- There is a smelly liquid coming out of the piercing.
- High fever with dizziness, confusion, or nausea.
Step 2. Use antibiotics to treat the infection
Bacterial infections are a major threat to nose piercings. So, most likely the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotic creams can be used for minor infections, but oral antibiotics may be needed for more serious infections.
Follow all doctor's recommendations
Step 3. Use antibiotics for the duration prescribed by the doctor
Even if your symptoms begin to improve, you should continue to take antibiotics until the end of the treatment period. Your doctor will tell you how long you should apply the cream or take antibiotics.
If you stop taking antibiotics too early, the infection can get worse
Step 4. Immediately seek help to overcome the abscess
An abscess is an accumulation of pus that can appear around the piercing. Abscess is not only a health risk, but can also cause scarring. Make a same-day appointment with your doctor or visit the emergency room. Most likely the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and determine if the pus in the abscess will pass on its own.
- Use a warm compress to help drain the pus from the abscess. Using a warm compress will help relieve the abscess when combined with antibiotics.
- If left untreated or the condition is severe enough, the abscess may need to be cleaned by a doctor, and a scar will often form.
Step 5. Carry out further checks if necessary
If your doctor recommends it, or if your symptoms don't improve, make an appointment for a follow-up exam. Keep in mind, infections in nose piercings can get serious quickly and are a health risk and can cause physical disabilities. Checking with a doctor can help keep your nose healthy.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Relapse of Infection
Step 1. Clean the piercing 2 times a day to reduce the risk of infection
Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your piercing. You can clean your piercing with soap and warm water only. After that, pat it dry with a clean, dry cloth.
- Clean the piercing in the nose slowly so that the water is not inhaled.
- Some people prefer to use a saline solution, which is a natural antiseptic. This solution is usually only used during the recovery period of the piercing.
Step 2. Keep any product away from around the piercing
Keep facial lotions, acne creams, or similar products away from around your nose piercing when you use them. These products may carry bacteria that can potentially cause infection in the piercing. So, try your best to keep this product away from piercing. Products you should keep away from your piercing include:
- Lotion
- SPF cream
- Acne cream
- Hair care products
- Face mask
- Cleanser that contains fragrance or skin exfoliating ingredients
Step 3. Keep your hands away from the piercing
Fingers carry dust, germs, and bacteria, but all of them can cause infection or cause infection to recur in the piercing. So, do not touch or play with the earrings on the piercing.
If you're tempted to touch your piercing, try applying loose gauze to the surface while you're recovering from the infection. That way, you can prevent the infection from coming back
Step 4. Do not swim until the infection has completely cleared
Swimming pools and other water sources are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, making them dangerous for piercing. Therefore, until your nose piercing is completely healed, you should stay away from swimming pools, hot tubs, and other water sources such as lakes, ponds, and the sea.
Since the piercing is located in the nose, you may want to keep swimming without dipping your head. However, splashing water or touching your face with wet hands can cause the infection to recur. So, you should avoid water as much as possible
Step 5. Be sure to use hypoallergenic earrings to prevent allergic reactions
An allergic reaction is not the same as an infection, but it can also hinder the recovery of a nose piercing. Not only that, allergic reactions can also cause swelling in the piercing and cause fluid to come out like an infection. To minimize this risk, it's a good idea to use hypoallergenic earrings. Fortunately, most of the leading piercers are already using this product.
- Check if your piercer provides hypoallergenic earrings. If you've replaced your piercing with another piece of jewelry, check the packaging.
- The best metals to use include surgical steel and titanium.
Tips
- Wash your hands every time you touch your nose piercing and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
- It is normal to have a clear or white discharge coming out of the piercing and is nothing to worry about.
- Do not allow the piercer to use anything other than surgical steel or titanium for the piercing. Earrings made of other materials, including gold and silver, can cause problems and even form permanent scarring.
- If your earrings come off, clean the clasps with an antiseptic wipe and carefully put them back on. After that, wash the surrounding area with salt water.
- Be sure to use a dye-free and fragrance-free face wash if you're going to use it around the piercing area. After that, wash it clean.
- Don't move your earrings too much during your piercing recovery.
- Don't peel off the drying fluid with your fingers while the piercing is healing.
Warning
- Only use sea salt, not table salt, which contains iodine and can irritate the skin.
- Infections with nose piercings can get serious quickly if not treated by a doctor.
- Over-the-counter antiseptics are too strong for the sensitive layer of skin around the nose. So, avoid using products like this.
