Piercings can sometimes lead to bumps and scar tissue. How you treat them depends on the underlying cause, but common approaches include routinely cleansing the pierced area and jewelry and switching to jewelry made from specific materials.
Cartilage piercings take considerably longer to heal than earlobe piercings and are more susceptible to irritation. In the first few days after getting pierced, you might notice a bump or general swelling around the jewelry.
You may also notice:
- redness
- bleeding
- bruising
- mild discomfort
As your cartilage piercing progresses through healing, experiencing the following is normal:
- discoloration
- itchiness
- secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid
- crusting on and around the jewelry
Cartilage piercings usually take roughly 4 to 12 months to fully heal. They heal from the outside inward, so the exterior may appear healed long before the inner tissues have recovered.
Unfortunately, bumps are fairly common with cartilage piercings. They can appear shortly after the piercing or well after the site seems to have healed.
If a bump persists after the initial swelling goes down, it might be:
- a pustule — essentially a blister or pimple filled with pus
- a granuloma — a lesion that tends to form about six weeks after piercing
- a hypertrophic scar — a thickened scar developing at the piercing site
- a keloid — a benign scar growth that can extend beyond the pierced area
Piercing bumps can result from allergies, heredity, inadequate aftercare, or simply bad luck. With proper treatment, they can often resolve entirely.
When to seek urgent medical care
Some redness and minor swelling are normal, but more serious signs can indicate an infection.
Contact your piercer or a healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- intense pain or swelling
- unusually thick or foul-smelling discharge
- yellow, green, or gray pus
- fever
- chills
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
Although it may be tempting, do not remove your jewelry while symptoms persist. Removing it during an active problem can lead to a painful abscess.
If your symptoms aren’t severe, you may be able to try the following home-care methods to address a cartilage bump.
Switch your jewelry
Contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction of the skin, can produce piercing bumps. Many people react to certain metals — nickel allergies are common, and many inexpensive metals contain nickel alloys.
If you have a metal sensitivity, you might notice:
- severe itching
- tenderness to touch
- redness or a rash around the piercing
- a hole that looks larger than the jewelry
The remedy is to change to hypoallergenic jewelry.
If your piercing is under a year old — or you’re unsure if it’s fully healed — visit your piercer. They can confirm an allergy and safely place a new piece of jewelry.
If your piercing is more than a year old, it’s generally safe to swap the jewelry at home.
Consider jewelry made from:
- 18- or 24-karat gold
- implant-grade stainless steel
- implant-grade titanium
- niobium
Keep the piercing clean
It’s important to clean the piercing two to three times daily while it’s healing. Even after it looks healed, continue cleaning daily for at least 3 to 6 months.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before touching your piercing for any reason, including cleaning. Dry your hands with a paper towel before you clean the area.
Use a fragrance-free antimicrobial soap — or the cleanser your piercer recommends — to wash the piercing and surrounding skin.
Avoid using:
- benzalkonium chloride (BZK)
- iodopovidone (Betadine)
- chlorhexidine (Hibiclens)
- rubbing alcohol
- hydrogen peroxide
After cleansing, rinse thoroughly. Residual soap can irritate the tissue.
Dry the ear by gently patting with a paper towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and may catch on the jewelry.
Use saline or sea salt soaks
Saline and sea salt soaks help wash away bacteria that can cause infection and remove dead skin and other debris that can contribute to hypertrophic scarring.
If you prefer not to buy pre-made saline, you can make a solution from sea salt and water.
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Avoid large crystals, as they don’t dissolve well and can be too abrasive.
To do a soak:
- Fill a mug with saline or your sea salt solution.
- Tilt your head and hold the pierced ear underwater, or dip a paper towel in the solution and apply it to the area.
- Soak for 5 minutes.
- Gently pat dry with a clean piece of paper.
Apply a chamomile compress
Chamomile has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A warm chamomile compress can convey these soothing properties and boost blood flow to the cartilage.
To prepare a warm chamomile compress:
- Wash your hands.
- Steep a chamomile tea bag in warm water for 4 to 6 minutes.
- Place the tea bag against the piercing for 5 to 10 minutes, refreshing with warm water as needed.
- Rinse the piercing afterward and pat dry with a paper towel.
You can alternate between a saline/sea salt soak and a chamomile compress. Do not use chamomile if you have a ragweed allergy.
When to consult your piercer
Some piercing bumps resolve within days after improving your cleaning routine, but others may linger. Hypertrophic scars can take weeks or months to fade, and keloids may require removal by a medical professional.
If you don’t notice progress, speak with your piercer. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the appropriate next steps.
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