Nose piercings are among the most popular, both among men and women. In addition, there are different varieties, such as the one on the side that is placed on one of the nasal flaps, such as the so-called septum, which goes in the part between both holes. They give a casual, youthful and almost rebellious appearance. However, sometimes they can lead to an infection that can cause pain, redness, a bad smell, fever, or even pus in the area.
If you have any of these symptoms in your nose piercing, keep reading a HOW TO because we will explain in a simple way how to cure an infected nose piercing. It is important to note that this information will never replace a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment, so if symptoms persist after following these steps, do not hesitate to consult a specialist doctor.
Symptoms of an infected nose piercing
Before telling you how to cure an infected nose piercing, we will teach you to identify the symptoms of the infection so that you can treat it in time. Once you have had your nose pierced, it is normal for the area to be slightly red during the first two or three days, and even somewhat swollen. These are the main symptoms of an infected nose piercing:
- If you have followed the instructions of the professional who performed the piercing, but you see that after those first few days the situation does not improve, then you probably have an infection.
- If the area is infected, the skin will have an atypical color because it will be red and darkened.
- You will notice more pain because of the infection and your nose will be inflamed around where you have the piercing, even if it is buried.
- A very obvious sign that your piercing is infected is the formation of pus, either yellow, green, white, or even a little bit of blood.
- In addition, when it is advanced, the infection can cause fever, nausea and dizziness.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should go to a doctor to prescribe the best treatment to eliminate the infection.
How to cure an infected nose piercing step by step
The moment you detect that your nose piercing is infected, you can make cures several times a day and thus try to disinfect it, following these simple steps and tips:
- Every time you touch your nose, do it with very clean hands and, also, wear latex gloves when you go to clean the wound.
- Wash the infected area with warm water and antibacterial soap or a neutral soap. Don’t use alcohol to clean your infected nose; It can cause a lot of itching and make your skin very dry.
- Apply the antibacterial soap with the help of your fingertips or a cotton swab. Move the jewel very slowly so that you can clean around it well. Take your time; be patient and do these movements very carefully.
- Pat the area dry with gauze, without rubbing.
- Prepare a saline solution with 1 tablespoon of salt dissolved in half a glass of warm or lukewarm water to apply to the area of the infected piercing with a syringe, a drop applicator or a cotton swab. If you don’t feel like preparing it at home, you can buy the usual physiological saline at a pharmacy.
- Allow the area to air dry and avoid touching it.
- Once you have washed and disinfected the piercing, you can apply antibiotic cream. Deposit small doses, directly on the infected area. The cream itself will act on the bacteria that are affecting the skin.
If you see that the infection does not improve in a couple of days, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. He will be able to prescribe stronger medications such as oral or topical antibiotics which include fusidic acid, erythromycin, clindamycin, or mupirocin.
How to prevent a nose piercing from getting infected
The nose piercing infection it can be due to two causes. On the one hand, if you do it at home, it is very likely that you will end up being infected; Always put yourself in the hands of a qualified professional who will do it with the appropriate tools and in perfect condition for use and disinfection. The piercing may also become infected if the jewelry you have been wearing is causing an allergic reaction in your nose, although the main reason for infection is not taking care of the piercing correctly for the first few days after wearing it.
For prevent the nose piercing from getting infected It is essential that you keep the area where it is very clean. Avoid constantly touching or playing with the jewel; It is likely that it is a gesture that you do many times without realizing it, but it can cause irritation or bring more bacteria to the area. So remember:
- Wash the area several times a day with neutral or antibacterial soap.
- Avoid touching the area of the piercing when you are not healing it.
- Properly disinfect the wound the days after its placement.
- Disinfect the piercing with a little alcohol every three to four days.
- Apply a cold pack for the first few days after your piercing to reduce inflation that can lead to infection.
In this other article we tell you more about How to care for a nose piercing.
At oneHOWTO we care about your well-being, so if after three days following our advice you do not notice an improvement in the infection and you still have pain in the area, or even immediately notice that it worsens, go to a specialist to be prescribed a treatment suitable to your problem.
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