Heal swelling caused by cartilage piercing - tips

Content

Steps
Advice
Warning
What you need

Cartilage piercings in the ears and nose are susceptible to "swelling" - small, keloids around the piercings. Sometimes, bumps are caused by loose or misplaced piercing jewelry, by negligent handling, or from piercing. Usually, the bump caused by a cartilage piercing is just unfortunate. Although not dangerous, they can cause itching and discomfort. If you want to get rid of a piercing bump, be patient because it will take a while for the swelling to go away. If you persevere, the bump usually goes away after 2-3 months and the piercing will look like new. Start from Step 1 below.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Use proven treatments

Soak in salt water. Brine is the safest and most effective method for treating cartilage bumps as it helps to reduce the size of the bump, as well as help the swelling disappear. How to use:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
- When the brine cools down (just so hot that it won't burn your skin), dip a clean cotton ball in the cup.
- Place a cotton ball soaked in salt water on the bump for about 2 minutes. Jewelry can be left on your ears (or nose), but avoid pulling or pushing them.
- Repeat the brine soaking 2 times a day until the swelling disappears.
Soak in salt water and chamomile. Adding chamomile tea to the salt water will help soothe the skin around the piercings, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. How to prepare:
- Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in boiling water as described above. Add the chamomile tea bag to the water and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- After the tea is brewed, soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the bump for about 5 minutes. Apply 2 times per day.
- Some people like to brew tea bags in hot water, then take out tea bags, let cool and apply directly to ears.
- Be sure to use pure, fragrance-free chamomile tea, and avoid this method if you are allergic to rosemary.
Use a breathable tape to apply it to your skin. Applying airy tape to the bump is a form of compressive therapy. This method should only be used on a fully healed piercing as it may irritate if the piercing is still healing. How to use:
- Buy some breathable medical tape (eg, Micropore) from your pharmacy. Try to find skin-tone adhesive tape.
- Use clean scissors to cut a small strip of tape. The tape should be enough to cover the entire bump and 1-2 mm of the surrounding skin.
- Use an adhesive bandage firmly against the bump, so that the swelling feels pinched. Wear the tape continuously and replace it when the old tape becomes dirty.
- Use this method for 2-3 months. Hopefully the bump will go away after this time. If not, go to another method.
See a professional piercer. If you are interested in consulting a famous piercer, you should see a famous piercer. They can examine the bump and give advice on treatments.
- Since the bump is usually caused by wearing loose or too large jewelry, a piercer will be able to choose a better piercing or rivet for you.
- The bump can also be caused by jewelry made of the wrong material. Ideally, cartilage piercing jewelry should be made from titanium or plastic with good biocompatibility.
- If you want, you can see a doctor or dermatologist, but keep in mind that they don't have as much experience in piercing as a professional piercer.
advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Using home remedies has not been proven

Use tea tree oil. Some people report having been successful in healing a piercing bump with tea tree oil - a popular ingredient in many home remedies for its antibacterial properties.
- Make sure to buy 100% pure tea tree oil as it is less irritating.
- If your skin is not sensitive, simply place 1-2 drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball and apply it directly to the bump. Do this 2 times a day until the swelling is gone.
- If your skin is sensitive, dilute tea tree oil (usually very strong) with 1-2 drops of water before applying it to your ear.
Take aspirin. Aspirin is believed to be effective in treating cartilage-piercing bumps because it dilates blood vessels under the skin, thereby speeding up healing.
- Place 1 Aspirin tablet in a small bowl, then use the back of the spoon to puree. Add 1-2 drops of water and stir until a mixture is formed.
- Apply the mixture directly to the piercing bump and let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse the hardened mixture with warm water.
- Repeat 2-3 times daily for best results.
Use lemon juice. Lemon juice is another home remedy that many have found to be effective in treating cartilage bumps.
- Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon and mix with water in the ratio of 1: 1. Dip a cotton swab in lemon juice and apply it to the bump.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day until the size of the bump shrinks.
Use honey. Honey has natural healing properties, often used in home remedies to treat scars and burns.
- Therefore, honey may be helpful in treating cartilage piercing bumps. Try applying a little honey to the bump, 2-3 times a day.
advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Prevent bumps

Make sure the jewelry fits. Liquid jewelry can move around the piercings, affecting the cartilage and causing a bump on the cartilage.
- Therefore, you need to use jewelry that fits your piercing. A professional piercer from a famous salon can help you choose.
- You should also avoid wearing butterfly earrings with butterfly bolts as these can easily cause swelling.
Absolutely not piercing cartilage with piercing gun. Absolutely do not use piercing gun to pierce cartilage. However, some low-priced or unprofessional piercing places still use this method.
- Piercing guns shoot jewelry through the skin, so the lower cartilage is skewed and often causes swelling to form.
- Therefore, if you are going to get a new piercing, avoid it where it is still using gun piercing.
Avoid hitting or knocking on the piercings. Frequently letting other objects bump into the piercings or to get them entangled in the hair or clothing can cause the jewelry to move and lead to swelling.
- If your hair is long, tie it back as much as you can (especially while sleeping) to prevent it from getting into your jewelry.
- In general, try to pay more attention to your piercing and protect it as much as possible. Do not play with or touch the pier constantly.
advertisement

Advice

Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or starting any treatment.
The sea salt solution should be slightly salty than tears.
Do not touch or press on the bump as it can still become infected.
If you sleep on your side, you can avoid lying down directly on the piercings by using a neck pillow. This will help you sleep more comfortably and ensure that your piercings don't irritate.
These methods may take a while to start working, so be patient. Be persistent and treat the bump regularly, otherwise the swelling that has just improved will return to its original state.
Do not apply undiluted tea tree oil to your skin.
Mix lemon juice in hot water and apply it to the bump.
Combining lemon juice with the pain reliever Aspro Clear can help and only take 10 minutes a day, or you can apply it to the bump before bed and rinse it off the next morning.
Ask your piercer for advice on cashew oil, as it is very helpful.
If using a tea bag, apply the tea bag directly to the ear or nose.

Warning

Absolutely not "squeeze", even if the bump contains pus. Light pressure with a cotton swab is fine, but squeezing the bump can cause bruising of surrounding tissue, not to mention pushing more pathogens into the wound.
If you dye your hair, cover your piercing with a plaster or surgical tape until the piercing heals to avoid irritation.
Do not use Dettol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, Isopropyl alcohol, or other strong antibacterial agents to treat the bump. Although helpful in killing pathogens, these solutions can cause significant irritation to the piercing. If you have to use Dettol or another solution, dilute it with sterile boiled water to reduce irritation.
If your piercing becomes infected, do not remove your jewelry as this is the only way to dry it. Removing jewelry can worsen the infection and keep the infectious agent inside the body. See your doctor because you may need antibiotics. A doctor may place a "wick" to keep the wound open to maintain drainage if the jewelry needs to be removed. After the infection is gone, you can remove your jewelry if you don't want to get pierced.
Keloids are the scars above and around the piercings. They are usually darker than the surrounding skin and can recur after being removed. People with darker skin, especially African Americans, are more likely to have a keloid. If you suspect you have a keloid, you should see your doctor or dermatologist for advice.