How do you get rid of these bumps as quickly as possible? Read on to find out!
Everything About Piercing Bumps
It can happen out of nowhere: you suddenly notice a bump appearing around your piercing. It’s definitely not fun, but generally speaking, it is very common. There can be several causes for these bumps; they are often triggered by irritation, a minor bacterial infection, or excessive scar tissue.
In many cases, it’s simply a matter of bad luck. Because cartilage piercings take longer to heal, they are exposed to all sorts of external influences that can cause a bump. Most of the time, these bumps just don't look very nice, but they don't cause much trouble otherwise. Sometimes they can be slightly sensitive or itchy. However, if you notice a sudden increase in pain or discomfort, it is important to check in with your piercer or a doctor.
Causes of Piercing Bumps
-
Physical Trauma: Bumping your piercing, getting it snagged on clothes, or hair getting tangled in the jewelry.
-
Angle: If your piercing was done at the wrong angle, it can cause unnecessary pressure and subsequent bumps.
-
Over-cleaning: Cleaning too often can dry out and irritate the piercing.
-
Under-cleaning: A dirty piece of jewelry can lead to irritation and bacteria buildup.
-
Wrong Aftercare Products: Products containing high amounts of alcohol or harsh disinfectants can actually slow down the healing process.
-
Swimming Too Soon: Bacteria in pool or open water can cause irritation and even infection in a fresh piercing.
-
Cosmetics: Too much makeup or hair product near the site can irritate the area.
-
Changing Jewelry Too Early: Need we say more? Unfortunately, swapping jewelry too soon is a major cause of stubborn bumps.
-
Sleep: Sleeping on your piercing (especially ear piercings) can shift the jewelry into a bad position, leading to irritation.
-
Low-Quality Jewelry: Always choose high-quality jewelry that meets the strictest standards. Of course, you already know that all AllOver jewelry is suitable for healing piercing bumps! ;)
-
Lowered Immunity: When you are sick or about to get sick, your piercings may flare up, even if they seemed healed for a while.
What Types of Piercing Bumps Are There?
-
Moisture Bump (Granuloma): These are usually small, red, and very soft bumps, often filled with fluid. They can feel damp, especially under the jewelry. These occur due to excessive tissue formation during healing.
-
Irritation Bump: Very common in cartilage piercings. These usually arise because the jewelry is too tight, the area is irritated, or the piercing has been bumped. In other words, the cause is often mechanical.
-
Keloid: People often shout "keloid" the moment they see a bump, but these are actually quite rare. A keloid is a very specific type of scarring where tissue grows aggressively beyond the original wound. If you have never had a keloid scar before, the chance of your piercing suddenly forming one is very small.
-
Moisture Irritation: This happens if the skin around your piercing cannot dry properly. Your piercing needs oxygen and a dry environment to heal. If it stays damp, a soft, red, "wet" bump can form. This is why it’s important to wear well-fitting jewelry without large, bulky attachments during the healing phase.
Other names for these include piercing bumps, bubbles, or fluid bumps. Did we miss a name? Let us know!
What is Cartilage?
Your body has different types of cartilage made of connective tissue. For example, there is cartilage between your joints for smooth movement and between your vertebrae to absorb shocks. Then there is the cartilage that gives shape to your body parts, like your larynx, nose, and ears.
The cartilage in your ears and nose is soft and flexible. It is covered by a thin membrane containing blood vessels, which is covered by skin. While the skin and membrane have blood flow, the cartilage itself does not. Because blood flow is essential for fast healing, cartilage piercings take much longer to recover. Most of the healing happens in the skin and tissues around the cartilage. Once the cartilage itself is damaged, it rarely recovers fully. While you won't notice this with small piercings, a stretched or large-gauge cartilage piercing will likely remain visible if the jewelry is removed.
How Do You Get Rid of a Piercing Bump?
So, you know the types of bumps and how cartilage works—but how do you get rid of that bump? At AllOver, we’ve dealt with our fair share of bumps too! Luckily, our team has tested many aftercare products and methods. Here are our top tips:
Prevention
Always wear well-fitting, high-quality jewelry. Combined with the tips below, you'll be well on your way:
-
Warm Saline Soaks: The warmth stimulates blood flow, which aids healing.
-
Cleaning in the Shower: Again, the warmth helps with circulation.
-
Sterile Saline Spray: Ensures the correct salt dosage in hygienic packaging to avoid infection.
-
Mild Disinfection: Special piercing disinfectant sprays keep the area extra clean.
Tips for Fast Recovery
-
Silicone Healing Discs: These are the best invention ever for piercing bumps! The medical-grade silicone reduces irritation, allowing the skin to recover and the bump to shrink.
-
Fix Piercing Recovery Serum: A unique serum with essential oils that promote recovery and help fight minor infections.
-
Piercing First Aid Kit: An all-in-one kit featuring the products mentioned above, plus sterile gauze and sea salt.
Why Silicone Healing Discs Work
Silicone Healing Discs are small, transparent discs made of medical-grade silicone. They are a lifesaver for bumps on cartilage, lip, and tongue piercings. You wear the disc on the post of your jewelry so that it sits directly against the skin.
This prevents the ball or the jewelry from pressing into the skin, providing immediate relief. They work so well because the silicone creates a clean, protected environment. Furthermore, they reduce mechanical irritation. When combined with proper cleaning, you create the ideal situation for the bump to disappear.
AllOver Silicone Healing Discs are 7mm in diameter and fit posts from 1mm to 2mm thick. Because they are transparent, they are barely noticeable!
Final Tips
-
Don't play with it! Extra movement causes more bumps.
-
Less is more. Don't mix too many different treatments. Pick a method and stick with it for a few weeks.
-
When in doubt: If the piercing remains red, swollen, or painful, contact your piercer or a doctor.
Here's to a smooth healing process! If you have any questions about our aftercare products or jewelry, feel free to contact us!
