What Causes an Infected Septum Piercing? Like all the other infections, bacteria and other pathogens are the main culprits here too. They gain access to bloodstream and infect the septum due to the following conditions: Proper hygiene is not maintained during piercing, like unsterilized needles.
While risks are low if you get a septum piercing from a reputable piercer, there is still a risk of developing a infection, allergic reaction to the metals in the piercing, a septal hematoma (when the blood vessels break and blood collects in the septum), and scarring.
Pierced areas, especially sensitive areas like the navel, can get infected months and even years after they were pierced, though infections most often occur very shortly after the time of piercing, as that is when the portal door is wide open.
The infected nose piercing can heal on its own if proper hygiene is maintained after identifying the infection. However, a doctor's guidance might be required if the infection is severe and associated with fever, chills, and shaking.
You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. This can be a cream, ointment, or tablets.
Reasons a nose piercing may get infected include: Poor hygiene after piercing, such as not cleaning the site with water. Poor hygiene while getting pierced, such as infected instruments. Wrong products or techniques used while cleaning.
Causes of Infections Later After the Pierced Ear has Healed
Earring backs that are too tight against the earlobe. Reason: pressure from tight earrings reduces blood flow to the earlobe. Anything that causes a scratch or tear in the ear channel. Examples are a heavy earring or a rough area on the post.
Touching the piercing too often with dirty hands or not cleaning the area can lead to infections. Also, earrings that are too tight may not allow the wound to breathe and heal.
Symptoms of piercing rejection
more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing. the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days. the jewelry becoming visible under the skin. the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
A bad smell alone does not mean your septum piercing is infected. A stinky sebum buildup actually means your piercing is healing normally (the opposite of an infection!). However, a smell that lingers past the 2-3 month healing phase or that's accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of infection.
Symptoms can include nasal obstruction, whistling, epistaxis, crusting, pain, rhinorrhea, chronic rhinosinusitis, or foul smell. This activity describes the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of septal perforation and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for affected patients.
Don't Remove Your Jewlery. An infection does not necessarily mean that you need to remove the jewelry and jump ship from your new piercing. Many infections will clear up with some extra care, and you can keep your new jewelry.
That's not to say they're boring, though - septum piercings have historically been used around the world as a rite of passage; the mark of a warrior, or to signal one's marital status. They've been around for thousands of years, and the piercing has been popularised in more mainstream culture lately.
Causes of Pierced Ear Infections
Clasps that are closed too tightly. Reason: Pressure from tight earrings reduces blood flow to the earlobe. Anything that causes a scratch in the channel. Examples are a heavy earring or a rough area on the post.
Causes of Infections
Most commonly, an infected ear piercing is caused by bacteria entering the wound, which can happen in several ways. Handling with unclean hands. If you clean your ears without washing your hands first, you run the risk of exposing your piercings to bacteria. Not cleaning the piercing enough.
“Infections are most likely to occur during the first week following the piercing, but can arise later on,” Dr. Kaplan says. But infection symptoms won't pop up the moment your piercing is exposed to bacteria.
Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
Infections are a very real risk with any new piercing. You and your piercer can take all the necessary precautions, and you might still develop one. It's OK -- that's normal with new open wounds, and technically that's what your body thinks a piercing is until it heals.
Piercing bumps occur when the body's immune system responds to the wound and initiates the healing response. This response leads to inflammation, which is what causes the bump. A person may notice bleeding, bruising, and some swelling at the site of the piercing in the first few weeks after getting it.