Getting septum piercings is a unique experience that takes a lot of courage. Considering the amount of pain that comes with it, it’s not surprising that girls need to think it through.
In the end, the results are amazing. One reason many people doubt getting a septum piercing is because of the pain it causes. If you already got one, you probably know that in contrast to other piercings around the nose and ear, it’s exceptionally painful.
Many people experience pain in the septum even after getting a piercing. To a certain extent, this is normal, but if it persists for more than a few days, you might be doing something wrong.
Aftercare is very important for a septum piercing to heal, and without it, you can expect something to go wrong. If you’re stuck in a similar situation, you’re in the right place.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know on dealing with your septum pain.
What Do You Do When Your Septum Piercing Hurts?
One of the main reasons your septum piercing may still hurt is because you aren’t following proper aftercare instructions for your piercing to heal, which has probably lead to an infection.
There are a few things you can and must do to ensure your septum doesn’t hurt for too long or to ease the pain as it can get quite uncomfortable.
Use a saline Solution to Clean Area
It is important to keep the nose area clean at all times, and the best way to clean that is a saline solution. You can easily make some at home.
All you need is a glass of water and some salt, and gently apply the mixture onto your piercing with a cotton swab. You can also use a store-bought saline solution.
Press the cotton bud on the septum for 5 minutes, three times a day, every day. However, if you notice any swelling, you might want to hold back on the saline solution.
Instead, use anti-inflammatory medication as swelling causes a lot of pain in the septum.
Avoid Consumption of Alcohol
If you’re experiencing septum pain and don’t want it to worsen, avoid alcohol. Alcohol gets in the way of the healing and recovery process of a septum piercing and also causes inflammation in the piercing.
By this, we also mean keeping skincare products containing alcohol away from the piercing.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, the piercing pain can just worsen, and if that’s the case, you must seek immediate professional help.
First, get in touch with your doctor so they can address any bleeding or infection. After that, visit your piercing artist to check if they can salvage the piercing or if you’ll need to get another one later.
Don’t Remove the Jewelry
When you’re dealing with terrible pain in your septum, perhaps the first thing you want to do is to remove the piercing jewelry.
But this is the last thing you should do! Removing the jewelry will cause the piercing hole to close up, forming an abscess.
Make Changes in Daily Habits
From the way you remove your clothes to your sleeping patterns, you will have to change all of them to ensure you don’t worsen the piercing pain.
You must remove your clothes properly and wear loose-fitting items that don’t get caught on your piercing jewelry. You should also make sure you sleep on your back and not your stomach.
This way, your piercing doesn’t get caught in the pillow or bed sheet.
Keep Your Hands Clean
The last thing your septum piercing will need that will trigger the pain is bacteria, and most bacteria are present in our hands.
Hence, make sure to wash your hands often, especially before touching your nose. Ideally, you should try your best to keep your hands away from your septum piercing.
Why Does My Septum Hurt?
It is normal for your septum to hurt after getting a septum piercing, but there are many other reasons that could cause intense continuous pain.
Sometimes, this may be an indicator for you to attain immediate medical help. Mentioned below are a few reasons that lead to septum pain:
Your Septum Piercing is infected
An infection is one of the most common explanations for intense septum pain. Infections in the septum are usually the result of openings in the skin that can create a pathway for bacteria to enter your body.
The major signs of an infection in your septum piercing are pain followed by redness, pus discharge, and swelling. This is one of the reasons you must clean your piercing with saline solution on a daily basis.
Scarring
Scarring is another reason that you’re probably experiencing pain in the septum. It’s not possible to see scarring but any excess of scar tissue leads to discomfort and pain.
You May Have a Bloodborne Disease
Bloodborne diseases such as HIV, tetanus, hepatitis B, and C can develop from using unsanitized piercing needles.
You become more prone to these during a piercing, and this is why you must make sure your piercing artist uses a clean and sterile piercing needle.
An Allergic Reaction
You may have an allergic reaction to the jewelry used for the septum piercing; materials such as nickel lead to major allergic reactions, especially if you’re already prone to allergies.
Body Rejection
Your body sees an external entrance as a threat, and a septum piercing is one of them. So as soon as you receive a piercing, your immune system will work towards getting rid of the piercing, and due to the rejection, you might experience pain.
Piercing Tear
Sometimes, jewelry can get caught in clothing or other material, causing a pull-effect. This can lead to tearing, which is quite painful.
You’re experiencing a Septal Hematoma
Septal Hematoma occurs when your blood vessels suffer from damage due to the piercing as well as the tissue that lines with the cartilage.
This causes blood to gather between both the cartridges causing intensifying pain, pressure, congestion, and swelling.
When Does Septum Stop Hurting?
You’re bound to experience some kind of pain during and after getting a septum piercing. After all, you’re getting a needle pushed through one of the most sensitive parts of your body and have a piece of metal put in.
You will experience a very strong pinch at the moment that will make you want to yell or scream. However, the pain level varies from one person to the other.
Some may experience more pain than they should, while others may only feel a slight prick (wishing that was the case for everyone).
Pain is a common symptom after a septum piercing and should last for 1-3 weeks. It means that the pain will lessen with each passing week. However, if it keeps getting worse and persists after the third week, you will have to seek medical help at once.
This could be a sign of infection or injury in the nose. You will want to remove the jewelry if the pain isn’t getting better, but that’s not an ideal solution. Let a professional do it for you once it heals.
What to Expect During the Healing Process of Septum Piercing?
The healing process for septum piercings lasts at least 2 to 3 months, and it may take longer depending on the person. The healing process is simple and fast as long as you stick to the aftercare instructions, which is very important.
The things that determine the time frame of your healing process, including aftercare, is your overall health, health complications, and your contact with the piercing, which means how often you touch it, risking a potential infection.
Final Words
Your septum is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and if you plan on getting a piercing, you must abide by the instructions.
This ensures that you enjoy a fun septum piercing process and prevent any health risks. If you experience unbearable pain, it’s best to contact a professional immediately.