Infected Nose Piercing, How to Treat & Clean Nose Piercing Infection

Nose piercing has been around for a long time and the popularity of the practice continues to rise. Unfortunately, it are often vulnerable to infections. So, how do you treat nose piercing infections? Continue reading to learn about the treatment options for piercing infections as well as the cleaning procedure for infected piercings? 

Cause of Nose Piercing Infection

Unlike nose and navel piercing which is done on flesh and fatty tissues, nose piercing involves sticking a needle through cartilage. This makes it take relatively longer to heal and this coupled with the high amount of bacteria typically found in the nose makes this piercing particularly vulnerable to infections. People also tend to touch newly  pierced noses frequently and this can easily introduce bacteria, leading to an infection.

Signs of Infected Nose Piercing

Some common symptoms and signs of infected pierced nose tenderness, excessive pain, prolonged bleeding, pus, excessive redness, and hot feel in the affected area.

How to Treat Infected Nose Piercing or How to Heal Infection

Infections may occur in the course of the healing phase after you have had your nose pierced. This might be avoided by ensuring stringent aftercare measures such as washing your hands thoroughly before touching the piercing, and cleaning the area with saline water.

So, how do you treat a nose piercing infection if it occurs for whatever reason? Treating an infected piercing basically rolls down to cleaning the area around the piercing, removing the infected materials and using heat to enhance blood circulation and stimulate the body’s immunity. Antibiotics may also be prescribed depending on the degree of the infection.

Cleaning the infected it generally involves removal of the dried debris such as dead body tissues, dirt, and pus around the the piercing.

Moist heat helps in healing of infected piercing. This involves using a hot salty-water press against the infected area (see the “a section on cleaning your piercing” section below).

No matter how painful the infection is however, the jewelry should not be removed (unless instructed by a doctor) as this may make the wound to close up leading to an abscess. This is an infection that is trapped beneath the skin and is characterized by pain and swelling.

If the above treatment options for piercing infection don’t heal it, antibiotics may be necessary. This is especially the case if the infection has moved beyond the immediate area around the piercing. This is referred to as cellulitis and results when the body fails to wall-off the infection that results after piercing your nose.

Antibiotics will in most cases help to heal the nose piercing infections, but should the symptoms persist, it is also a great idea to seek the attention of your doctor. Although rarely, the doctor may recommend the removal of the an infected altogether, or even cut off the tissues around the infected area in order to facilitate healing of the nasal piercing infection.

Treating Nose Piercing Infections, More things to consider

• Avoid tugging on the jewelry
• Change the bed sheets that come into contact with the piercing daily
• Avoid sleeping on your piercing
• Consider placing a clean t-shirt on the pillow as you sleep
• Ensure proper nutrition and balanced diet
• Avoid alcohol and smoking (as hard as this could be, it helps to speed up the healing process)

How to Clean an Infected Nose Piercing

Cleaning an infected piercing on the nose is usually easy and can be doesn’t require you to go back to the piercing service provider. Here is a brief guideline on how to clean an infected nose piercing:

Clean your hands

This is important in order to prevent a transfer of germs and bacteria into the piercing from dirty hands. Use an antibacterial soap and how water to wash your hands before drying them with a clean paper towel. You should avoid using an ordinary cloth towel since it often harbors germs and bacteria.

Clean the piercing

To a clean cotton swab, apply a small amount of antibacterial soap (a drop or two) and use it to clean the area around the piercing by swabbing it around gently. This helps to soften the area and get rid of any dry scabs.

Once done, use a cotton swab soaked with a little warm water to rinse the nose before drying it with a clean paper towel. Ensure that you don’t tug on the jewelry as you do this.

You should avoid using harsh substances such as Hibiclens, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, and over-the-counter creams since these can slow down the healing process.  Antibacterial soap is enough to clean the infected piercing.

Heat press with saline water

Add a pinch of sea salt to a 5 oz paper cup filled with hot water. Shake thoroughly and soak a clean cotton wool into the resulting solution. Squeeze the cotton wool to remove any excesses before pressing it gently on the pierced area. Leave it pressed against your nose until it cools off. Repeat the process for five minutes and then rinse the area with some warm water (to get rid of the salt) before patting it dry with a paper towel.

That is how to clean an infected piercing on the nose. It is advisable that you repeat the procedure twice every day until the infection goes away.

Nose Piercing Infection Pictures or Images

Is my nose piercing really infected? The symptoms highlighted above will usually tell a normally healing piercing from an infected one. The following infections may also give you an insight to help you decide if it the high time you get a round of antibiotics or seek the attention of your doctor.

Infected piercing on your nose sucks! But that shouldn’t keep you from getting a a piercing on your nose if it tickles your fancy.

It is our sincere hope that this guide has shared some useful tips to help you avoid and treat nose piercing infection if they occur.