Like any other piercings, a new nose piercing will need frequent cleaning to prevent infections and keep debris out of it. However, the aftercare doesn’t stop at cleaning; you will also need to ensure that both the jewelry and piercing are in good shape to prevent any problems in the future. Here are some tips to help you clean your nose piercing and avoid infections:
Cleaning a Nose Piercing
The best way of ensuring that your piercing heals faster is to clean it well, as recommended by your piercer. Your piercer will most likely recommend a saline rinse that you should use at least twice a day. It would be best to consider leaving the original jewelry in place until the piercing heals completely. When you change the jewelry often, you increase the chances of an infection or the piercing hole closing up. It is also best to avoid touching the piercing unless you are cleaning it. Touching the piercing frequently with dirty hands might introduce bacteria leading to an infection. Cleaning a nose piercing for the first time can be pretty challenging because the area is tender and painful. However, cleaning it will help soothe it and reduce swelling and pain. Here is how you can clean a nose piercing at home:
What You Need
Saline rinseCotton wool ballsCotton cloths or thick paper towelsCotton swabsA mug or a small bowl for holding the saline rinse
You can opt to make your saline rinse by adding a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt in a cup of warm distilled water.
Procedure
Various experts recommend cleaning the piercing at least twice a day until it heals completely. Here is how to do it:
First, put the saline rinse in a clean mug or small bowl.Next, soak the piercing site in the warm saline rinse, and keep it submerged in the water for three to five minutes.When the minutes’ lapse, rinse the piercing site with clean waterGently pat the area dry using a clean paper towel.
You can also opt to use the following procedure:
Dip a clean cotton swab or a cotton wool ball in some warm saline solution.Apply the solution to the piercing site and let it sit for a few minutes.
The cleaning described above will help remove dried blood or crusted lymphatic fluid from the piercing site or jewelry. If you are looking for a commercial product to help you clean your nose piercing, you should look for a nose piercing aftercare spray. Find one that is safe for your skin type and natural to your body.
How Do You Properly Clean a Nose Ring?
Apart from cleaning your nose piercing, you will also need to clean the nose ring regularly. Cleaning your nose jewelry helps you eliminate any debris, oil, or dirt that may stick to the ring. Disinfecting a nose piercing and jewelry will help prevent bacteria reproduction and minimize possible infections on the piercing. It would help if you sterilized your nose ring before wearing it. Here are some practical ways of cleaning a nose ring to ensure that your piercing is healthy:
Boil the Nose Ring
If your ring is made of stainless steel, then boiling it is a perfect sterilization process. However, if it has an electronic, acrylic, or gems component, boiling might not be suitable. Whenever you need to sterilize your nose ring, put it into a pot with boiling water, and let it boil for at least fifteen to twenty-five minutes.
Consider Steam Treatment
Steam treatment is an effective method of sterilizing your nose ring at home. All you have to do is put the ring into an autoclave bag and put it over the pot filled with enough water. Ensure the nose is inside for at least fifty minutes, and then dry it thoroughly before putting it into the nose.
Use Antibacterial Soap
You can clean a new nose ring with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. Put your ring in this solution for at least 10 minutes to ensure that you disinfect it. You can also use a very soft-bristled nylon brush to scrub the ring as needed. You should pay attention to any available crevices and clean them as thoroughly as possible. This method removes any impurities from the metal surface of the ring. However, this method is helpful if you want to wash a new nose ring or haven’t used that particular nose ring in a long time. If you have a silver nose ring, you should consider cleaning it regularly with a professional silver jewelry cleaner. This type of cleaner helps get rid of any corrosion with the potential of getting stuck in your piercing.
Do Nose Piercings Easily Get Infected?
Nose piercings are popular these days; however, there is an increased risk of infection, especially when the piercing is still new and healing. Therefore, it’s wise to treat an infected nose piercing immediately you notice it because failure to do so could make it worsen and spread. It is normal to experience some redness, swelling, and tenderness in a newly pierced nose. However, you should closely monitor the following symptoms, which might indicate an infection:
Abnormal odorMore pain than usualThrobbingPus oozing from the piercing. Green or yellow pus indicates a more severe infection, while white pus indicates a very mild infection.
Additionally, if you’re experiencing severe pain or a fever, it is best to see a doctor immediately.
Treatment for an Infected Nose Piercing
If your infection isn’t severe or causing you severe pain, you could try treating it using the following home remedies:
Saline solutions: If you think your piercing is infected, you should use a saline solution because it acts as a natural antiseptic. Additionally, the solution is so easy to make at home.Warm compresses- Using a warm compress on the infected area can help reduce swelling significantly. When you opt for this method, ensure that you use a clean cloth, soak it in warm water, and apply it gently to the infected area.
Do I Clean the Inside of My Nose Piercing?
You might look for products that will heal a nose piercing fast; however, you shouldn’t rush the healing process. It would help if you did a saline solution rinse at least twice a day on the outside and inside of your nose because over cleaning could cause irritation. When irritation occurs, the healing process is most likely to be longer. When cleaning the piercing, especially the inside, be on the lookout for any bumps because they indicate an infection.
How Long Does It Take for a Nose Piercing to Heal?
You might experience redness, tenderness, and soreness for up to three weeks after getting a nose piercing. A pierced nostril might heal entirely after two to four months, while a pierced septum may heal within three or four months. It would help if you always had your nose pierced by a licensed professional. Doing it yourself or letting a friend do it for you could lead to various health concerns, including infections, bleeding, and allergic reactions.
Foods to Avoid After Nose Piercing
It would be best if you weren’t eating anything when you have the piercing done because chewing will most likely move your nose around, and the piercer will experience difficulty piercing you. You can eat everyday food during the healing process because your piercing will heal at the same rate regardless of what you eat. However, some piercers believe that avoiding sour fruits for at least a week will cure the piercing faster and prevent infections. Having a nose piercing is a big decision because you need to take care of it well to ensure that you don’t get infections. You will know that the piercing has healed if there isn’t any swelling, discharge, or redness from the wound. It is safe to change your nose ring or stud when the piercing has healed completely. Remember that cleaning the piercing regularly with a saline solution is one of the best ways to prevent an infection.
