FAQ: Troubleshooting
Irritation vs Infection
- Piercers cannot diagnose infection
- If you suspect an infection seek medical attention immediately
- do not remove jewelry as an infection could become trapped inside the closing piercing and become an abscess
- ask your provider to swab / test the area of concern to see if it is truly infected
Common Causes of Irritation
- One time trauma
- a bad hit to the pierced area will cause a delay in healing and is a common cause of piercing irritation bumps
- if a trauma is significant enough to cause a tear or migration of the piercing it may need removed and allowed to heal. Repiercing may be possible depending on how the area heals and how scar tissue forms
- Repetitive trauma
- sleeping on your piercing every night
- constantly snagging your jewelry (hair, clothing, blankets, etc.)
- Due for a downsize
- excessive length after swelling has subsided leaves extra room for snagging, debris build up, and excessive movement through the piercing tract
- downsizing is crucial for many piercings (especially cartilage, eyebrows, and all oral piercings)
- Lifestyle Hazards
- sports trauma
- motorcycle / bike helmets
- Improper Aftercare
- Moisture build up
- Stress / Sickness
- your immune system can affect your piercings (new and old) so if you're stressed mentally and/or physically your piercings may flair up
- Poor quality jewelry
- sensitivity to a metal
- poorly polished jewelry even if it is better material
- externally threaded jewelry
- coated or plated jewelry
- Poorly performed piercing
- incorrect angle
- improper anatomy that should not have been pierced
Keloids
- The internet loves to call all piercing related irritations keloids
- Keloids are actually very uncommon and are typically genetic so you would likely know if you were prone to them before being pierced
- Keloids do not come and go like irritation bumps and will need surgically removed. If you have a bump that is changing size or goes away with troubleshooting it is not a keloid
Treating Irritation
- Patience is key! Irritations may pop up easily and quickly but will take much longer to go away
- Identify the source of irritation and do your best to remove it
- For sleep trauma try a travel or donut pillow
- For moisture keep wet hair away from your jewelry and blow dry the area on cool after showers
- Schedule for a downsize or jewelry change
- Schedule a "Problem Visit" to assess other factors that may be affecting your healing
- There are many unreliable and outdated resources online so do not follow any at-home remedies without thorough research. If you are unsure about a method contact your trusted piercer first.