When you get a nose piercing, you may have some redness, bruising, swelling, or even bleeding for a few weeks. During this time, you will take care of it to prevent infection. With these common reactions to the piercing, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is normal and what is an infection.
When your nose piercing is healing, it may itch, ooze, and crust around the piercing. In fact, it can take as long as six months to heal. As it is healing, you will want to watch for any signs of infection. Read on to learn how to tell if a nose piercing is infected.
You Have Pain
A little bit of discomfort is normal after you have your nose pierced, but if you notice an uncomfortable level of pain or throbbing around the piercing, you might have an infection. You may want to remove the piercing, but you should see your medical care professional before you do anything. While your nose might be infected, removing the piercing will cause it to start to close, and bacteria or other parts of the infection can be trapped inside and create a bigger problem when you go in for treatment.
The Piercing Is Unusually Tender
This is different from a severe throbbing pain; you may notice that you have a sharp tenderness near the piercing. It is fine unless something bumps your nose. When you notice this problem, you need to go to a medical care professional right away. Infections are treated with antibiotic ointment or antibiotics, and you will need them if you have gotten an infection.
The Nose Smells Bad and Has Green or Yellow Pus Oozing
If you notice a bad odor and green or yellow pus oozing out of the piercing site, you definitely have an infection, and you should get to your doctor as soon as possible. You will want to start treatment right away, and you can discuss with your doctor what to do about the piercing.
After you get your nose pierced, you can have a bump near the piercing without having an infection. You can treat this at home without seeing a doctor. If you notice any of the symptoms above, you will need antibiotics, so a trip to the doctor is necessary.
There are a number of different things that can cause an infection. You may be allergic to the material that makes up the nose piercing. Your doctor may suggest changing to a different material. An allergic reaction can cause itchiness, redness, and blistering. This often happens when the piercing is made of nickel. There are hypoallergenic materials, such as 18 or 24-carat gold, stainless steel, and titanium. You can change to any of these, and your problems should resolve.
When you get your nose pierced, it is very important to clean the piercing two or three times every day. This is the best way to prevent infection. You should also wash your hands before you touch the site. You need to continue this practice for at least six months. The outside will heal before the inside does. This is the best way to avoid an infection in the first place.
If you have any of the symptoms above and have concerns that your nose piercing might be infected, do not wait to go to the doctor. Infections need to be treated with antibiotics, and they will not go away on their own. You may need to change the piercing to a different material, but make sure that you do not remove it until after you see your doctor.
If your nose piercing is infected, you don’t want the area to close up and lock the infection inside your skin. You can’t really use any home remedies because an infection will only get better once it is treated with antibiotics. Getting a nose piercing is a big decision, so make sure that you are prepared to give your nose some TLC and help it to heal.