You just got the piercing of your dreams, a nose piercing! But wait, you’ve noticed a bump you can’t quite seem to shake? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about piercing bumps and how to treat them with at-home remedies, like aspirin paste. Once you’ve finished reading the article, you’ll be well on your way to a bump-free piercing and feeling as confident as you did the first time you looked in the mirror after getting your fresh new nose piercing!
What Causes Piercing Bumps
So what causes these pesky bumps, anyways? All bodies are different, meaning that all piercings will heal differently. Some are more difficult than others. During the healing process, it is common for piercings to get irritated, which may cause concern.
The good news? Your nose is not going to fall off. It will heal. It will not be there forever, and it will eventually go away with time and proper care.
You most likely have a bump caused by irritation. This can happen to any piercing but most commonly occurs in nose piercings. An irritation bump is a small, red, swollen pustule or lump that appears next to the jewelry, usually after a couple of days of the initial piercing.
These bumps can be caused by several things, whether from unnecessary touching of the piercing, snagging it on a piece of clothing, sleeping on it, or changing your jewelry too soon. But don’t panic. It’s usually an easy fix if cared for properly.
Are They a Sign of Infection?
A common misdiagnosis with piercing bumps is that a simple irritation is often assumed as an infection. While that is rarely the case, monitoring your piercing for any apparent changes is still essential.
A multitude of things can cause irritation and fortunately, they can be avoided. Below are a few of the differences between the signs and symptoms of irritation vs. infection that you should keep an eye out for.
Irritation
- Redness
- Moderate Swelling
- Tenderness
- Dry skin
- Bumps
Infection
- Discharge
- Extreme Swelling
- Warmth
- Pain
- Itching
It’s important to note these differences when you notice the onset of your piercing bump. If you suspect irritation or an infection, it is crucial that you do NOT remove the jewelry. Your piercing has not fully healed, and this could cause unnecessary damage. Refer to a professional piercer before removing any jewelry.
How to Use Aspirin Paste for Nose Piercings
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard of aspirin paste and are curious to learn more. First and foremost, applying any medication to your skin without consulting with your healthcare provider or a medical professional is not recommended.
Why Do People Use It?
Aspirin paste is one of the most popular remedies found on the internet for treating piercing bumps. The purpose of it is to essentially burn the bump off. The main ingredient in Aspirin is Salicylic Acid, a keratolytic agent that works to reduce swelling and redness.
Salicylic Acid contains drying properties and is often used to treat acne by unclogging pores and shrinking pimples. In this case, it’s used to shrink piercing bumps.
Why do people use it if it’s used to burn off or dry up the bump? Aspirin is a relatively inexpensive and convenient treatment option for treating piercing bumps. Not everyone has the time to go to their nearest piercing shop for assistance, so they resort to trying out at-home remedies first, and aspirin paste is often at the top of the list.
Does Aspirin Paste Work on Piercings?
The simple answer is yes. Aspirin paste reduces or removes the piercing bump because it is a drying agent and will truly dry out the bump. However, it is often a temporary solution to an underlying problem. While aspirin paste is effective, many people experience recurring bumps. This typically means there is an underlying issue, such as the piercing placement or the size of the jewelry.
How to Make Aspirin Paste for a Piercing Bump
Aspirin has been proven to be a forceful yet effective treatment method for conquering unwanted piercing bumps. Not to mention, it’s convenient and inexpensive. Here are some of the steps you can take to make aspirin paste for that troublesome piercing bump.
- Step 1. Buy a bottle of aspirin. It is relatively easy to purchase over the counter at your local drug store, or you can get it here. Take out two to three tablets from the bottle.
- Step 2. Crush and mix the tablets with a few ounces of boiling water. Let the tablets dissolve. This should produce a paste-like substance.
- Step 3. Apply the paste to the piercing bump. Let it sit for about thirty minutes.
- Step 4. Gently rinse and remove the paste with warm water.
- Step 5. Repeat once per day, for about three to five days, or until the bump has gone away.
How Long Should You Leave Aspirin Paste on a Piercing?
It is suggested that you do not leave the aspirin paste on the piercing bump for more than thirty minutes to reduce the risk of irritation. Since Salicylic Acid is a drying agent, this increases the risk of irritation if left on the skin too long.
Applying the aspirin paste more than once per day is also not recommended. If you find yourself having to repeatedly use the aspirin paste with little to no results, it would be best to contact your piercer for further evaluation of the bump.
Additional Remedies for Piercing Bumps
If aspirin paste is not for you, there are other options to treat your pesky piercing bump. Here are a few additional remedies that may help reduce the appearance of the bump.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-microbial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a commonly used product for treating piercing bumps and accelerating the healing process. You will need to dab a modest amount of the oil with a cotton ball or a Q-tip around the area of the piercing bump.
It would be best if you applied it about two times per day. It’s important to remember that tea tree oil is potent and reacts differently for all skin types.
If you decide to use this solution, you need to be extremely cautious when applying it to your skin. We suggest mixing the oil with water before dabbing the area to reduce the potency. The tea tree oil will soak the moisture out of the bump and cause your skin to dry up.
Shrinking Drops
Shrinking Drops are another method of treating piercing bumps. It is an aftercare liquid that works to shrink piercing bumps. It is made with natural essential oils, including grapeseed oil, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree oil.
The recommended use is to apply a drop of the liquid directly on the piercing bump and gently massage the area surrounding the bump. Apply a drop two to three times per day until healed.
Sea Salt Soak
If none of the above treatment options sound appealing to you, a sea salt soak could be of benefit to you (unless your piercer has recommended a specialized soap). You can make a sea salt solution by mixing about ¼ of a teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 oz of warm water.
Saturate a paper towel or cotton ball with the solution. Gently hold the cotton ball to your piercing bump for a couple of minutes, and pat dry with a paper towel. You should repeat this process about two to three times per day or until you start to see a noticeable difference in the size of your piercing bump.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a quick fix, aspirin paste might be an option for you. But, treating a piercing bump can be a demanding process if not approached the right way. Allowing a piercing to heal takes time and patience.
The same goes for the unwanted piercing bumps that sometimes come with it. We recommend consulting with your piercer to identify the root cause of your piercing before repeatedly applying a medication-based paste to your piercing. We hope this article has been informative and answered your questions regarding the use of aspirin paste and piercing bumps.
You should now feel comfortable with these at-home remedies to treat your piercing bump at home, but if you have any questions or immediate concerns, reach out to a professional piercer in your area for the best recommendation of treatment.