Nose piercings are among the most popular, for both men and women. In addition, there are different varieties, such as the lateral one that is placed on one of the nostrils, such as the so-called septum, which goes in the part between both holes. They give a casual, youthful and almost rebellious appearance. However, they can sometimes lead to an infection that can cause pain, redness, a bad smell, fever, or even pus in the area.
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If you have any of these symptoms in your nose piercing, keep reading this 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.
Here are some of the best saline spays you can purchase for piercing aftercare.
Symptoms of an infected nose piercing
Before we tell you how to cure an infected nose piercing, we will teach you how 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 first two or three days to have the area slightly reddened, and even somewhat swollen. These are the main symptoms of an infected nose piercing:
- If you have followed the instructions of the professional who did the drilling, 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 from the infection and your nose will be swollen around where you have the piercing, even leaving it buried.
- A very obvious sign that your piercing is infected is the formation of pus, either yellow, green, white, or even a little blood.
- Also, when it is advanced, the infection can cause fever, nausea and dizziness.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to prescribe the best treatment to eliminate the infection.
How to heal an infected nose piercing step by step
The moment you detect that your nose piercing is infected, you can cure yourself 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 put on 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 make you sting a lot and dry your skin a lot.
- Apply the antibacterial soap with the help of your fingertips or a swab or stick. Move the jewel very slowly so you can clean around it well. Take your time; be patient and do these movements very carefully.
- Gently pat the area dry without rubbing.
- Prepare a saline solution with 1 tablespoon of salt dissolved in half a glass of lukewarm or lukewarm water to apply it to the infected perforation area with a syringe, a drop-by-drop applicator or a swab. If you do not feel like preparing it at home, you can buy the usual saline in a pharmacy.
- Let the area 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 or she may prescribe stronger medications such as topical or oral antibiotics that include fusidic acid, erythromycin, clindamycin, or mupirocin.
How to prevent a nose piercing from becoming infected
The infection of the nose piercing may be due to two causes. On the one hand, if you do it at home it is very likely that you will end up getting 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 jewel that 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 during the first days after putting it on.
To prevent the nose piercing from becoming infected, it is essential that you keep the area where it is very clean. Avoid constantly touching or playing with the jewel; it is probably 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 piercing area when you are not healing.
- Properly disinfects the wound the days after its placement.
- Disinfect the piercing with a little alcohol every three or four days.
- Put on a cold compress the first few days after having the piercing done to reduce the inflation that can lead to infection.
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