How to Clean Nose Piercing

If you have recently gotten a nose piercing, you might be facing some issues such as swelling, pain, or even a nose piercing infection. If that is the case, it is important to follow a thorough cleaning procedure for your pierced area. There are different types of nose piercings for you to choose from. We hope this article on How to Clean Nose Piercing helps you to maintain hygiene and avoid infections. Professionals always recommend people with new nose piercings to keep the site clean and uninfected with bacteria. 

Once you begin the cleaning routine for the area, it is best to continue to do it until it has healed entirely and there is no pain or swelling. You can keep away from various complications with regular cleanings, such as the following conditions.

• Nasal trauma
• Nose bumps
• Difficulty breathing
• Nasal infections
• Scarring 

We have tried to gather the essential information you require to know how to clean nose piercing. It can be painful at times but stick to the routine, and it will heal quicker and leave fewer signs on your nose. 

Steps on how to clean nose piercing

If you are trying to clean your nose piercing for the first time, it can be challenging since the area will be sensitive. It will be painful while trying to clean it. However, the cleanings will help to soothe the pain and swelling (if there is any). The experts will tell you to clean your nose piercing two times a day until it has healed completely. 

You can gather the following items to begin cleaning the site of the nose piercing. 

What to Use to Clean Nose Piercing

1. Saline solution: Heat some sterile water or water from the filter and warm it on the stove. Add a pinch of salt to it and use it after it dissolves. 

2. Cotton balls 

3. Q tips

4. Clean and dry Paper towels/cotton towels

5. A cup, mug, eggcup, or a small bowl to hold the saline water solution. 

Steps for Cleaning the Nose Piercing Site

Method One

Step 1: One can clean their nose piercing by soaking the region (the nose hitting area) in the warm saline water and keeping it submerged in that condition for three to five minutes. 

Step 2: It is best to ensure that the water is warm and not too hot to touch; otherwise, it will become an excruciating process. 

Step 3: After a few minutes, remove the mug/ cup and clean the area with some tap water. Pat dry with a clean towel. 

Step 4: Moisturise the site with some coconut oil or some fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer after drying it. 

Method Two 

Step 1: It can be messy to try to clean your nose piercing through the first process. Instead of dipping your nose in the warm saline water, you can take a cotton ball, dip it in the saline solution and place it on the area for four to five minutes. 

Step 2: Re-dip the cotton ball every few minutes until the flaky, dried blood has come off. 

Step 3: Moisturise the area with some coconut oil or a neutral moisturizer. 

Note: You can replace the cotton ball with a Q tip. It will be easier that way.

Aftercare Tips

Though experts take only a few minutes to pierce your nose, it can take several months to heal. If you wish to speed up your recovery process, you will have to follow the aftercare cleaning process. 

The first step in keeping your piercing infection-free is to clean the area at least two times a day until it has completely healed and there is no pain. We have made a checklist for the aftercare process as following. 

• Clean the site two times a day with warm saline water
• Please keep your hands away from the piercing site except to clean it with clean hands
• Use coconut oil or a hypoallergenic moisturizer to moisturize the area
• You can wash the area with a neutral and gentle soap once the area has healed completely

Risks To Nose Piercing

There are many risks to nose piercing, like piercing any other part of your body. If you slack off on the aftercare routine, you might face complications such as nasal trauma, change in the nose’s shape, infections, difficulty breathing, and pain. 

• Infection: Your nose can become infected with bacteria if you don’t know how to clean the area properly. Your nose will remain vulnerable to infections until the site has healed entirely. Hence, it is your responsibility to clean it regularly. If you feel some bumps on the site near the piercing, then you can consult the doctor. Swelling is a sign that some foreign particles have entered the area and irritated it. The doctor will prescribe some antibiotics if such a condition arises. 
• Nose Shape Change: In extreme cases, your nose may look misshapen if the piercer pierced the wrong part of your nose or if you have left an infection without treatment for a long time. 

What Happens if Your Nose Piercing has become infected

It is not abnormal to feel pain, irritation, discharge, or bleeding after the piercing. But, if you have any of the following symptoms, you have an infection and require medical attention immediately. 

• Nasal Trauma: If you have had an infection for a long time, the infection might spread to the surrounding areas supporting the nose. It will be overly painful and tender. 
• Red Colouration or Discolouration: If the site appears red or yellowing and oozes green or yellow discharge, the area certainly has developed an infection, and you must seek immediate medical attention. 

How Long it Takes for Nose Piercings to heal

A nose piercing healing is anywhere from three to six months for the piercing to heal completely, depending upon cleaning the area and maintaining it. It might take longer to heal if you fiddle with the jewelry before that area has completely healed. 

When is it safe to remove the jewellery?

You can safely remove the jewelry from your nose once you don’t feel any pain in your nose. When this happens, you can remove it safely. However, if you remove the jewelry before it has healed, the piercing may close, and you might have to do it again.

Foods To Avoid After Nose Piercing

• Sour Fruits
• Spicy foods
• Acidic Foods
• Hot beverages

FAQs

What can I use to clean my nose piercing?

Your piercer will recommend a saline rinse to use at least twice per day. You may also consider using your own DIY sea salt rinse, or even tea tree oil if your nose is especially tender.

Can I clean my nose piercing with just water?

A person can clean a nose piercing by soaking the piercing site in warm saline water and keeping it submerged in the water for 3–5 minutes.

How can I clean my nose jewelry at home?

The cleaning process is simple; soak the pieces you need to sterilize in warm water with antibacterial soap.

Are nose piercings safe?

A nose piercing can heal and maintain itself well with regular cleanings. However, as with any piercing, there’s always a risk for complications.

What can I use to clean my piercing if I don’t have sea salt?

While sea salt soaks and/or saline rinses are the preferred aftercare for piercings, soap effectively removes the residue of dirt, skin oils, cosmetics, cigarette smoke, and natural discharge that can sometimes remain after a salt water soak or saline rinse.

Do nose piercings smell?

Mix sebum with some dead skin cells and a little bit of bacteria, and you get some really potent smelling piercings! The discharge is semi-solid and smells like stinky cheese