Nose piercing offers many styling options to people because they come in trendy options such as hoops for the nose and gold nose piercings. These are gaining more attraction, leading to people even going for double nose piercing jewellery.
So, when you get a new nose piercing, there are some factors which can’t be ignored, such as the signs of infections and the condition of a healed nose piercing.
Telling the difference between standard healing symptoms and an infected nose piercing can prevent complications and ensure great piercing health. Let’s dive into the common signs which can help you see a difference.
Normal Healing for Nose Piercings
The healing process spans several weeks to months, depending on aftercare and the body’s natural healing power. Whether it’s nose piercing studs, pearl nose piercing, or a gold nostril hoop, the initial healing signs are all the same.
Initial Healing (1-2 weeks)
For the first few weeks, it’s totally normal to feel a bit of tenderness, see some redness, and notice a little swelling around your new piercing. This is just your body’s way of handling the new nose jewellery, so no worries. You might even spot a tiny bit of clear or slightly yellowish fluid.
Middle Stages (3-8 weeks)
At this point, any soreness and swelling should start to chill out. You might see a thin, whitish crust forming around your jewellery, which is just your body shedding dead skin.
Final Stages (2-6 months)
By this stage, most of the visible healing will be complete. At this point, many people ask, “How to tell if your nose piercing is healed?” A good indicator is a lack of tenderness, redness, or swelling.
Signs of Infection in a Nose Piercing
Knowing what’s normal is only half the game. Spotting signs of trouble is the key. Here are some red flags that might mean you’re dealing with an infection, not just regular healing:
Prolonged Redness and Swelling
A bit of redness and swelling is totally normal in the beginning, but it should start to ease up after the first couple of weeks. If your nose piercing is still red or swollen beyond that, it could be a sign of an infection.
Pain that Worsens Over Time
A cute nose piercing or a subtle gold nose hoop piercing shouldn’t cause lingering pain. If your pain becomes sharper or more intense, it could be a sign of an infection.
Green or Yellow Discharge
Unlike the clear or slightly yellowish fluid in normal healing, infected piercings often produce green or dark yellow pus, which can have a foul odour.
Piercing Bump or Keloid Development
While bumps can occur during normal healing, a persistent nose piercing bump that’s red, swollen, or filled with pus may be a sign of infection. In some cases, these can develop into keloids, which are raised scars around the piercing.
Fever or Fatigue
If you’re feeling a bit off, like mild fever or fatigue, it could mean your body is working to fight off an infection from the piercing. These signs might seem minor, but they’re worth paying attention to.
Hoops vs. Studs
For those wondering whether to start with a hoop or a stud, a nose piercing stud is generally recommended for initial piercings. Hoops or rings tend to move around a bit more, which can irritate a fresh piercing and lead to bumps or other issues. Once it’s fully healed, though, you can switch things up with a small silver or gold nose hoop for a fresh look!
Using Hypoallergenic Metals
If you have sensitive skin, picking hypoallergenic metals like silver or gold is key. Jewellery made from these materials lowers the chance of allergic reactions and helps keep infections at bay. A silver nose ring or gold nose hoop is perfect for adding both style and comfort.
Another factor that highly contributes to piercing healing is the size of the nose jewellery. You should select an adequate size that fits both comfort and dimension-wise. Check nose jewellery size and weight guide and have a great piercing experience.
