Septum piercings have become incredibility popular over the past few years. Twenty years ago, it wasn’t very common to see someone with their septum pierced, however, that’s completely changed today.
If you choose a septum piercing, the artist will aim for the thin layer of skin between the nostrils. If you are one of the few people that are born with a small bone in septum, called a columella, it is a bit easier for you to get your septum pierced.Finding the ‘sweet spot’ means avoiding cartilage. So they will use a needle or piercing gun to penetrate through the septum and pop a clamp or jewelry through the hole.
Surprisingly, getting a spectrum piercing is not as painful as you might imagine – if it is done correctly. Keep in mind that every individual has a different pain tolerance level. When your preferred piercing artist penetrates the septum, you might experience some eye-watering, which is normal due to the location.
A common question I get asked is about bleeding and what you should do if it occurs after you get your septum piercing. They often ask if it is normal. Well, this article will answer all your questions about bleeding during the process. So let’s begin:
Is It Normal For a Septum Piercing To Bleed?
Regardless of the type of piercing you get, you will notice some blood. This can be a light trickle, spot of blood, or a crusty scab, but you shouldn’t fear it. Bleeding when you get a spectrum piercing is normal.
In fact, experts consider it a natural part of the healing process. However, the appearance of blood can also indicate a problem that needs your immediate attention. Below, you will learn some reasons as to why you might bleed when you get a septum piercing and what you can do:
Immediately After the Piercing
Bleeding immediately after the piercing is normal. When the needle passes through your skin, you should expect a little blood stream through your nose. You will likely bleed more while undergoing septum piercing than ear and nose piercing.
When the artist penetrates your cartilage instead of the ‘sweet spot,’ you may bleed a bit more than normal. However, you shouldn’t worry about it as long as you are under the supervision of a professional piercer. They will clean the blood and share some guidelines about how to provide aftercare during the healing process.
Infected Piercing
Any time you get a piercing, you put yourself at some risk for getting an infection since you are creating a wound on your body. If your piercing does get infected, it will be normal for it to bleed. I can’t stress enough how important proper aftercare is to ensuring your piercing heals correctly.
You should visit a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: swelling, red or darkened skin, pus, or a burning sensation around the piercing. These symptoms are an indication that the piercing has become infected. The doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics and other medications to help the healing process.
Follow instructions from the piercer and the doctor about a cleaning routine to avoid any risk of infection. It is essential that your scar stays clean to avoid infection. When bacteria or foreign particles, such as dust, enter the piercing, you risk infection.
Bumping Your Piercing
You may also bleed when you accidentally bump into your piercing. For the first time, it is hard to get used to new piercing. For instance, when you wear a T-shirt, you might snatch your jewelry. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and think before you perform any action. With time, you will be more careful about your new piercing.
You may also put too much pressure on your septum piercing while moving around your bed. At first, you will find it hard to adjust your routine, but sleeping on your back is an optimal solution. Also, when hair combines with the jewelry, you may feel pain, which, on snapping, can cause bleeding. While performing other tasks such as washing your face or doing your make-up, you are likely to bump your pierce and bleed. Therefore, it is essential to avoid such conditions.
The best practice to avoid bumping your nose is to place sticky notes on the mirror to remind you to be careful. When you bleed due to snapping or bumping your piercing, you can wipe it carefully with a warm and wet cloth. After cleaning the location, apply some skin ointment.
Removing the Crust
When a scab covers the wound, it indicates that the piercing is healing. But, when the crust still clings onto the wound, you should not remove it.
Removing it will cause bleeding as you’ll tear up the live skin from around the piercing. You can remove the crust by cleaning it will saline. In the following section, you will learn the right technique to carefully remove the crust from the spot.
How Do You Stop It From Bleeding?
When you experience bleeding from the spectrum piercing, you should put pressure on your nose from both sides, hold your head up for a while, and sit or stand in a stationary position. If the bleeding does not stop in ten minutes, contact your doctor. Meanwhile, you should grab a clean cloth or gauze to keep the pressure on your nasal septum.
Table could not be displayed.How Do You Clean a Bleeding Septum Piercing?
When you bleed for the first time, it may be hard for you to clean the nose. The cleaning process can be tender and painful, especially if you snap your jewelry while cleaning. Therefore, carefully clean the spot.
Cleaning the spot can be a soothing experience, and it reduces the swelling and the pain. By cleaning your septum piercing twice a day, you can boost the healing process and prevent bleeding and developing an infection.
Items You Can Use To Clean the Septum Piercing
Here are some items you can use to correctly clean your nose piercing:
- Cotton wool balls
- Paper towels
- Saline solution
- Q-tips
The Process to Clean the Septum Piercing
To clean your bleeding nose, you should soak a clean cloth in warm saline water. You can also submerge your nose into a mug filled with the solution. Keep your nose in contact with the solution for 5 to 10 minutes. After soaking your nose, clean the spot with clean water and pat it dries using a paper towel. You can also place Q-tips or cotton wool ball into the solution and apply on the piercing location for a couple of minutes. You can use this technique to clean the lymphatic fluid as well.
Conclusion
Septum piercing bleeding can be a sign of infection or skipping on aftercare instructions. You might also experience other symptoms while bleeding. These symptoms include swelling and yellow or green discharge flooding through the spot. If you experience any of the above conditions or the piercing site won’t stop bleeding, contact your doctor.
Keep in mind that excessively touching your wound and removing the piercing before it heals can cause bleeding. Therefore, you have to be careful until your nasal septum completely heals.