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Nose piercings are a great way to express your sense of style and individuality. It is very important to keep your nose piercing clean, otherwise healing could be delayed or you might develop an infection . Luckily, cleaning your nose piercing requires very little time and effort - so there's really no excuses!
Steps
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Clean your piercing twice a day. Nose piercings should be cleaned twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening - until they are fully healed. [1] X Research source Cleaning your piercing too little may cause it to become dirty and infected while over-cleaning your piercing can lead to irritation and delayed healing. [2] X Expert Source Roger Rodriguez
Piercing Specialist Expert Interview. 25 November 2019. -
Prepare a salt solution. The simplest way to clean your piercing it to use a salt solution. To make a salt solution , mix 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in 8 oz. (1 cup) of warm water. Alternatively, you can buy a packaged sterile saline solution from a store. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Wash your hands . Before you touch your piercing, it is essential that you thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap. Otherwise, bacteria from your hands could come in contact with the piercing (which is essentially an open wound) and cause an infection. [4] X Research source
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Soak a cotton ball in the salt solution. Grab a clean cotton ball and dip it into the salt solution. Gently press the cotton ball against your nose piercing and hold it there for 3 or 4 minutes. Be careful when removing the cotton ball in case it gets caught in the nose ring or stud. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Pat the area dry with some clean tissue. [6] X Research source After cleaning, gently pat the area around your piercing dry with a clean cotton ball, a tissue or some paper towel. Avoid using a towel to do this, as towels can harbor bacteria and snag on the ring or stud.
- If you see any crusting develop over the piercing, resist the urge to remove it. The crust is your body's way of protecting the piercing. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Use a little lavender oil to promote healing. Lavender oil lubricates the piercing, reducing tenderness and promoting healing. After cleaning, apply a little lavender oil to the piercing using a lint-free cloth.
- Twist the stud or rotate the ring to get the oil inside the piercing, then wipe away any excess with a clean tissue (otherwise it could irritate the skin).
- Lavender oil can be found at health food stores, at the supermarket or at the chemist's. Make sure the bottle is labeled "BP" or "medicinal grade".
- Avoid using any material with fibers that can get caught in the piercing. This includes cotton swabs, cotton balls, tissues, and toilet paper. [8] X Research source
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Avoid using harsh antiseptic products. Harsh antiseptic products such as Bactine, bacitracin, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or tea tree oil should not be used to clean nose piercings, as these can irritate and/or damage the skin, and prolong healing. [9] X Research source
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Avoid using make-up to cover the piercing. Do not allow make-up to come in contact with the piercing, as it can clog it up and lead to infection. This also goes for sun-tan lotion and any other cosmetic products. [10] X Research source
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Do not remove the nose ring or stud until the piercing is fully healed. [11] X Expert Source Roger Rodriguez
Piercing Specialist Expert Interview. 25 November 2019. Nose piercings can close up within a few hours if the stud or ring is removed.- Forcing the stud back into the piercing after it has started to close can cause pain, inflammation, and infection.
- Therefore, it's important to avoid removing the stud or ring from the piercing until it is fully healed, which can take 12 to 24 weeks. [12] X Research source
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Avoid baths, hot tubs and pools. You should avoid submerging your piercing in a pool, bath or hot tub water, as these often harbor harmful bacteria which could lead to infection. But if necessary, you can cover your nose piercing with a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (available in drug stores) to protect it.
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Avoid sleeping on a dirty pillowcase. [13] X Research source Dirty pillowcases are another potential source of bacteria, so it's important to change your pillowcase regularly.
- A useful trick to avoid having to constantly clean your pillowcase is to cover the pillow with a clean t-shirt one night. the second night, turn the pillow around, the third night turn the t-shirt inside out and cover the pillow in it again, the fourth night turn the pillow around again. This way, a single clean t-shirt (this may also be done with a pillow cover) can provide you a clean pillow for 4 days.
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Avoid touching the piercing unnecessarily. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Avoid touching or playing with your piercing - you should only touch it when you're cleaning it, after you have washed your hands. It is not necessary to twist or rotate the stud/ring during the healing process. [15] X Expert Source Roger Rodriguez
Piercing Specialist Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I convince my parents to let me get a nose piercing?Roger Rodriguez, also known as Roger Rabb!t, is the Owner of Ancient Adornments Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the Los Angeles, California area. With over 25 years of piercing experience, Roger has become the co-owner of several piercing studios such as ENVY Body Piercing and Rebel Rebel Ear Piercing and teaches the craft of body piercing at Ancient Adornments. He is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).The more informed you are as a young adult, the better your chances are that your parents will recognize that you've done your research and be open to letting you get it done. Consider visiting the website safepiercing.org or going elsewhere online to research reputable studios and your state's legal parameters on getting a piercing as a minor.
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QuestionHow am I supposed to clean out any boogers that get caught or stuck on the piercing inside the nostril?Community AnswerJust use some tweezers. Be careful because you don't want to pull out the piercing.
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QuestionWhat can I do if my nose haven't healed, and I start my new job which requires no nose piercings?Community AnswerGo back to your piercer and ask them to put a clear stud in to hold the space.
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Tips
- Don't clean your piercing more than three times a day. This can cause the piercing to dry out and cause an infection.Thanks
- Have a nice hot shower as this can loosen any crust that is around the piercing.Thanks
- Never stick your fingers up your nose if they are dirty, as this can cause an infection.Thanks
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.
- If you're thinking about getting a nose piercing, make sure to get it done at a clean, reputable piercing shop. Choose a stud instead of a hoop for the piercing—it will heal faster!
- Be careful when pulling shirts over your head. If they get snagged on your piercing, it can be pretty painful, and it can also delay healing.
- Avoid twisting, rotating, or turning your piercing unnecessarily. This will end up prolonging the healing process.
- Make sure to dry your face with a clean towel or paper towel. Using a dirty towel can cause an infection.
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Warnings
- Don't pick at any scabs (no matter how tempting it is) as you can get infections.Thanks
- Don't use silver sleepers in place of the jewelry. The sleepers are dangerous as they can oxidize the wound and cause a permanent black mark in your nose called a argyria. They can also create allergic reactions.Thanks
- Always use a new clean cotton swab when cleaning the inside of your nostril, so you don't end up spreading germs from one place to another.Thanks
- See your doctor if there's a solid bump developing around your piercing. While some piercing studios recommend applying aspirin paste to these bumps, it's best to check with a doctor first. Keep in mind that aspirin may irritate your skin and make the bump worse. Additionally, long-term scarring can occur if the bump isn't properly treated. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Saline Solution or sea salt
- Lavender oil
- Lint-free cloth
- A clean plastic mug
- Warm water
References
- ↑ https://infinitebody.com/pages/basic-piercing-care
- ↑ Roger Rodriguez. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ https://infinitebody.com/pages/basic-piercing-care
- ↑ http://www.piercology.com/aftercare/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/
- ↑ http://www.piercology.com/aftercare/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/
- ↑ http://www.piercology.com/aftercare/
- ↑ https://infinitebody.com/pages/basic-piercing-care
- ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/bodypiercing.shtml
- ↑ Roger Rodriguez. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-clean-a-nose-piercing/
- ↑ https://mainlinepeds.advocaredoctors.com/Medical-Comprehensive/Are-You-Sick/Ear-Piercing-Questions
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317
- ↑ Roger Rodriguez. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3187998/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To care for a nose piercing properly, it’s important to clean it twice a day. Start by making a solution of 1/4 teaspoon (about 1.4 grams) of non-iodized salt with 1 cup (8 ounces) of warm water. You can also buy a pre-made saline solution at your local pharmacy. Next, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This will prevent you from introducing germs or dirt into your piercing, which could cause irritation or an infection. Dip a clean cotton ball in the saltwater solution and hold it against your piercing for 3 to 4 minutes. Be careful when you pull the cotton ball away from your nose, since bits of cotton could get stuck to your jewelry. Take a piece of clean, dry tissue and gently pat your nose dry with it. If you see any crusting around the stud, leave it alone—it’s normal for a piercing to crust over a little during the healing process. If you like, you can dab a bit of medicinal-grade lavender oil on your piercing with a clean, lint-free cloth to promote faster healing. Gently turn the jewelry to work the oil into the hole. To keep your piercing clean and healthy, avoid touching or fiddling with it, submerging it in water (such as in a pool or hot tub), or getting makeup on the wound. Change your pillowcases frequently so you don’t get dirt and bacteria on your face when you sleep. To avoid irritating the piercing, don’t treat it with harsh cleansers or antiseptics, such as hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or bacitracin. Watch for signs of an infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, and blood or pus draining from the piercing. If you think your piercing might be infected and the problem hasn’t cleared up with home remedies, see your doctor. For tips on how to keep your nose piercing clean and infection-free, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Helpful in reminding me of what to do and what not to do. I've had a few piercings, but it's been a few years, and I just got a new one. I used peroxide on my first nose piercing and I played with it a lot, twisting it around. That lead to it getting infected, which was pretty painful. Lots of good tips here. Thanks!" ..." more
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"Helpful in reminding me of what to do and what not to do. I've had a few piercings, but it's been a few years, and I just got a new one. I used peroxide on my first nose piercing and I played with it a lot, twisting it around. That lead to it getting infected, which was pretty painful. Lots of good tips here. Thanks!"
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"Good to know not to get pool or lake water on my piercing. It didn't occur to me that a swimming pool would harbor bacteria, but I guess common sense should have told me. I'm glad I read this before I went jumping around in the swimming pool and hot tub."
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"This article is really helpful! I would only add that I tear the cotton ball in half, dip one half in the water and gently press it into my nostril so I can clean the back side of the piercing as well."
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"This was extremely helpful, especially the part about the oil (although I used vitamin E oil). This is my second nose piercing and I couldn't remember the dos and the don'ts, so thank you."
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"I work in a retirement home, and I come in contact with all kinds of infections and skin outbreaks. This helped a lot with knowing how to keep my nose ring clean."
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