Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Cleaning the nose piercing
• Part 2 of 2: Knowing what to avoid
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

It is extremely important to keep your nose piercing clean. Failure to do so can delay healing or lead to infection. Fortunately, cleaning your nose piercing is a breeze - so there are no valid excuses!

To step

Part 1 of 2: Cleaning the nose piercing

1. Clean the piercing twice a day. Nose piercings should be cleaned twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening - until the piercing is completely healed. If you don't clean the piercing often enough, it can get dirty and infect. Cleaning too often can cause irritation and delay healing.
2. Prepare a saline solution. You can easily clean the nose piercing by using a saline solution. To make a saline solution, mix a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free sea salt with a cup (250 ml) of warm water. You can also choose to purchase a prepackaged, sterile saline solution from the pharmacy.
3. Wash your hands. It is essential that you wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing. If you don't, the bacteria on your hands could come into contact with the piercing (which is basically an open wound) and cause an infection.
4. Immerse a cotton ball in the saline solution. Get a clean cotton ball and dip it briefly in the saline solution. Gently press the cotton ball against the nose piercing and hold it there for about three, four minutes. Use caution when removing the cotton ball, in case the cotton ball gets caught between the nose ring or stud.
5. Pat the area dry with a clean tissue. After cleaning, pat the area around the piercing dry with a clean cotton ball, tissue or paper towel. Do not use a towel for this, as towels can carry bacteria and get caught between the ring or stud.
6. Use a cotton swab to remove any crusts. You should also clean the bottom of the piercing to remove any crusts. If you don't, they could tear the skin and cause inflammation.
   • You can do this by soaking a clean cotton swab in the saline solution and then rubbing the back of the stud or ring and the inside of the nostril.
   • Don't rub too hard or you risk pushing the stud out of your nose.
7. Use a little bit of lavender oil to aid healing. Lavender oil lubricates the piercing, reducing sensitivity and promoting the recovery process. After cleaning the piercing, apply a little lavender oil with a cotton swab.
   • Turn the stud or rotate the ring to rub the oil into the piercing. Wipe off any excess oil with a clean tissue (otherwise it could irritate the skin).
   • Lavender oil can be purchased at health food stores, some supermarkets, and / or pharmacies.Make sure that the lavender oil you use is suitable for medical applications.

Part 2 of 2: Knowing what to avoid

1. Avoid using harsh disinfectants. Harsh disinfectants (antiseptic) such as bacitracin, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and tea tree oil are not suitable for cleaning the nose piercing. Such products can irritate and / or damage the skin and can slow down the recovery process.
2. Do not use make-up to cover up the piercing. Do not allow makeup to come into contact with the piercing as makeup can clog the piercing and lead to infection. This also applies to self-tanners and other cosmetic products.
3. Do not remove the ring or stud from your nose until the piercing has completely healed. Nose piercings can close within hours of removing the stud or ring.
   • Trying to force the stud back into the nose after the closure process has already started can cause pain, inflammation and infection.
   • It is therefore important not to remove the stud or ring until the piercing has fully recovered. This can take twelve to twenty-four weeks.
4. Avoid baths, hot tubs and swimming pools. You should avoid submerging the piercing in the water of the pool, hot tub, or regular bath. That water often houses harmful bacteria that could lead to infection. If necessary, you can cover the area with water-resistant and waterproof plasters to protect the nose piercing - these can be found at pharmacies and drugstores.
5. Don't sleep on a dirty pillowcase. Dirty pillowcases are also a possible source of bacteria. It is therefore important to replace the pillowcase regularly.
6. Try not to touch the piercing unnecessarily. Avoid playing with or touching the piercing. Only touch the piercing when you are going to clean it, and only after you have thoroughly washed your hands. During the healing of the piercing you do not have to turn the stud or the ring.

Tips

• Do not put your fingers in your nose if they are dirty. This can cause infection.
• Take a nice hot shower. This can loosen the crusts around the piercing.
• Do not clean the piercing more than three times a day. This can cause the piercing to dry out, as well as cause infection.

Warnings

• Do not pick at the scabs (no matter how tempting) as this can cause infections.
• Always use a new cotton swab when cleaning the inside of the nostril. This prevents you from spreading bacteria from one place to another.
• Do not use silver ulcer studs and / or rings. These are dangerous because they can oxidize the wound and cause argyria. Argyrie can cause a permanent black spot in the nose. Such silver jewelry can also cause allergic reactions.

Necessities

• Antibacterial soap
• Saline solution or sea salt
• Cotton swabs, cotton balls, tissues, kitchen paper and / or toilet paper
• Lavender oil
• A clean plastic mug
• Warm water