The Best Way to Clean a Septum Piercing & Prevent Infections

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Keep your septum piercing healthy and clean with our care guide
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Cleaning and taking good care of a septum piercing speeds up your recovery and fights off the risk of infections, so it’s important to do it properly. Fortunately, cleaning a septum piercing is as easy as soaking it in saline solution a few times per day while it heals over the first 2–3 months. Keep reading, and we’ll cover everything you need to know and what to do in case you notice any signs of irritation.

Things You Should Know

  • Use saline solution to clean your septum piercing. You can make your own by mixing sea salt and warm distilled water.
  • Dip your septum piercing in the saline solution for 10–15 minutes. Alternatively, wet a cotton ball and hold it against your piercing.
  • Clean your septum piercing 2–4 times every day while your piercing heals, which takes around 2–3 months.
Section 1 of 4:

Cleaning Your Septum Piercing with Saline

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  1. Fill a glass with about 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of warm bottled or distilled water. Add around ⅛–¼ teaspoon (0.75–1.42 g) of iodine-free sea salt . Stir the solution together with a spoon until the salt completely dissolves. [1]
    • Avoid mixing more salt into the water because the solution can irritate your piercing if it’s too concentrated.
    • Alternatively, use a premixed saline solution if you don’t want to mix your own at home.
  2. Fill a glass or mug with your saline solution and hold it up to your nose. Gently stick the tip of your nose into the solution so your piercing is submerged. Let it soak for about 10–15 minutes to help sanitize your piercing and break apart any crusty buildup that formed. [2]
    • If it’s uncomfortable to hold the tip of your nose in the solution, soak a cotton ball in the saline solution and hold it tightly against your piercing for 10 minutes
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  3. It’s normal for your piercing to form crusty residue for the first 2–3 weeks after your piercing. Once you soak your piercing, dip the end of a Q-tip or cotton swab into the saline solution. Gently rub the swab against any crust forming around your piercing to loosen it and break it apart. [3]
    • Avoid picking at any septum crust prior to soaking because it could damage your skin and make you more prone to an infection. [4]
    • Try your best not to move or rotate your piercing while you’re cleaning it because it may cause slight irritation. [5]
  4. Wet a paper towel with bottled or distilled water, then gently dab the paper towel around your piercing to rinse off the saline. Then, use a new paper towel to pat the area dry. [6]
    • Leaving saline solution on your nose could dry your skin out and cause more irritation around your piercing.
  5. At the very least, try to do one saline solution soak in the morning and another in the evening before you go to bed. If you have a little extra time during the late morning or early afternoon, do a shorter soak to keep your septum piercing clean and sterilized. [7]
    • Do not soak your piercing more than 4 times a day because this can dry out your septum and increase the healing time.
    • Do some of your daily cleaning in the shower by cupping water in your hands, dipping in the tip of your nose, and then blowing bubbles. Just make sure to clean with a saline solution a couple of times during the day too. [8]
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Section 2 of 4:

How long does it take for a septum piercing to heal?

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  1. Septum piercings fully heal a little faster than standard nose piercings because they only go through a small amount of your skin. If you’re taking good care of your septum piercing, then it should only take around 8 weeks to recover. However, if your piercer accidentally hit cartilage or if your piercing repeatedly gets irritated during the healing process, it could potentially take 6–8 months instead. [9]
    • Your septum piercing may look healed from the outside earlier than 2–3 months, but the tissue inside may still be recovering. [10]
Section 3 of 4:

Septum Piercing Aftercare

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  1. Do your best to leave your septum piercing alone while it’s healing so you don’t cause more irritation or prolong your recovery. It’s okay if you need to straighten your piercing out when it looks crooked or flip it up inside your nose to hide the jewelry , but otherwise try not to rotate or twist it. If you do need to touch your piercing, be sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap first. [11]
    • Be careful not to snag your piercing on your clothes or on a towel since it may cause irritation and prolong the healing time.
  2. If you use other products on your face, like moisturizers or face washes, keep them away from the septum piercing as much as possible. Stick to gentle cleansers and moisturizers made with natural ingredients, and avoid scented products or anything containing alcohol or peroxide. [12]
    • It’s okay to start using these products again after your septum piercing completely heals.
  3. Stay away from any natural bodies of water as well as swimming pools because bacteria could get into your piercing. Wait the full 2–3 months when your piercing heals before you go swimming or do other activities in the water. [13]
    • It’s okay for running water in the shower to touch your septum piercing, but avoid submerging the piercing if you plan on taking a bath.
  4. A lot of bacteria can build up on your bed sheets, which could lead to an infection. [14] Try to wash and change your bedsheets at least once every 2 weeks to so they stay clean and bacteria-free while your septum piercing heals. [15]
    • For a quick alternative, cover your pillow with an old T-shirt and flip it each night so you have 4 clean sleeping surfaces. [16]
  5. Wait to put in new jewelry until your septum piercing fully heals. Even if you really want to change your septum jewelry right after you have it pierced, be patient and let it heal. Wait the full 2–3 months so the piercing has time to recover so the jewelry slides out without causing pain or irritation. [17]
    • If you still notice pain when you try to move or change your septum piercing, then it’s not fully healed yet. Continue cleaning and caring for your piercing until it moves comfortably.
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Section 4 of 4:

Treating an Infected Septum Piercing

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  1. While your septum piercing will be healthy with the proper aftercare, infections may happen if bacteria get inside. While it’s normal for your piercing to have a slight odor or crusty residue while it’s starting to heal, the following symptoms could be signs of an infection : [18]
    • Yellow or green discharge
    • A lump near the piercing
    • Intense pain, redness, or swelling
    • Warmth around the piercing site
    • If you have an itchy rash with small raised red dots around the area, then you may be having an allergic reaction to the metal in the jewelry.
  2. If you suspect that your piercing is infected, then resist the urge to take the jewelry out right away. Keeping the jewelry in helps the infection drain out, while taking the jewelry out could trap bacteria and form an abscess. [19]
  3. In the event your piercing becomes infected, make an appointment with a doctor and explain your symptoms. Your doctor may provide you with antibiotics or medications to treat the infection so your septum piercing heals normally. [20]
    • Continue cleaning your septum with the saline solution twice a day to help get rid of the infection faster.
    • Avoid using antibacterial soap or products containing benzalkonium chloride because they may cause more irritation. [21]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I want to get a septum piercing, but I will have to remove it during the day for my job. Will this affect the healing process?
    Community Answer
    You can't take the jewelry out while it's healing, as it will close and you won't be able to get it back in. Tell your piercer you need to hide it for work and they will give you a horseshoe-shaped piece of jewelry that they can flip up and hide. You will need to keep it in for the duration of the healing process.
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  • Question
    Can I go to the pool on the first day of a piercing?
    Community Answer
    It's not recommended because of the germs in the pool, and the chlorine can irritate the piercing. You should wait until it's fully healed, about six weeks.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 62
  • Question
    Can I use Dove soap to clean my septum piercing?
    Community Answer
    Because of the fragrance in most Dove soaps, it is not recommended (unless you use the fragrance-free sensitive skin one). Dial brand antibacterial soap is what's generally recommended with most piercings.
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      Tips

      • Always keep a piece of jewelry in your septum piercing because the hole can shrink or close within hours without one. [22]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Don't wear junk jewelry. I've found that the plating wears off fast and turns your nose green. Plus, it's super irritating to the piercing. Stick to gold and implant grade titanium—Anatometal, BVLA, and Maria Tash are some of my favorite brands!
      • Only wear implant grade jewelry to avoid irritation. Titanium is best, but implant grade steel is okay too.
      • Don't use lavender oil or hydrogen peroxide to clean your piercing—it can be irritating!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/Nk4_WKCyR6o?t=242
      3. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
      4. ↑ https://gurkhatattoofamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/7-Septum-Piercing-After-care.pdf
      5. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      6. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      7. ↑ https://atomictattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Piercing-Aftercare.pdf
      8. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
      9. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-healing-times/
      1. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      2. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
      3. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      4. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      5. ↑ https://atomictattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Piercing-Aftercare.pdf
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-bed-sheets/
      7. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      8. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-healing-times/
      9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/infected-nose-piercing/
      10. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      11. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-infection/
      12. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      13. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/piercingcare.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a new septum piercing, do a sea salt soak at least 3 times a day for the first month. Dissolve about ¼ teaspoon (1.4 g) of sea salt in 8 ounces (30 mL) of warm water. Dip your nose into the solution and keep it there for 5-10 minutes. If that’s too uncomfortable, soak a cotton ball in the sea salt solution and hold that against your piercing instead. When you’re done, gently clean any crust away from the piercing with a cotton swab dampened with the sea salt soak. Don’t touch the piercing any more than necessary and use mild skin care products on your face to minimize irritation. Avoid swimming until the piercing is fully healed. If you notice signs of an infection, such as pain, pus, or worsening redness or swelling around the piercing, see your doctor. For more tips, including how to recognize a septum infection and treat it, read on!

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