Table of Contents
What is this bump?
Cartilage piercing take longer to heal than earlobe piercings and they can be irritated easily. After getting the Cartilage Piercing done, it is not uncommon to see swelling or a bump around the jewelry in the initial few days.
You may also experience:
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Mild Pain
As your cartilage piercing begins to heal, it’s normal to experience:
- Discoloration
- Itching
- Oozing of a whitish-yellow fluid
- Crust on and around your jewelry
Cartilage piercing can take a while to heal, ranging from 4 to 12 months. The healing process starts from the outside and goes inward, so even if it looks healed on the surface, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is totally healed internally.
While cartilage piercing generally heal well, the occasional bump is still common. These could form soon after the piercing or even much later, even when it seems to have healed completely.
If you still have a bump after the initial swelling subsides, it may be:
- A Pustule — Pus-filled blisters or pimples can be found on the skin.
- A Granuloma — A lesion or wound can occur 6 weeks post-piercing and is usually due to an infection. It is best to consult a trained professional for advice & treatment if this happens.
- A Keloid — An accumulation of thickened tissue can sometimes form at the area where a piercing was made, known as a keloid.
Certain causes such as allergies, genetics, improper aftercare or just plain bad luck can lead to Cartilage Piercing bumps. But fortunately, these bumps can be treated and may even vanish with the right kinds of measures.
When to get immediate medical attention
Although minor swelling and redness are typical, more severe symptoms could be a sign of infection.
See your piercer or a doctor right away if you’re experiencing:
- Uncomfortable pain or swelling
- Unusually thick or smelly discharge
- Yellow, green, or gray discharge
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
Removing your jewelry during an infection can be detrimental. If taken out while you still have symptoms, it could cause a painful abscess. Hence, it is best to wait until your symptoms have subsided before taking off any jewelry.
If your cartilage bump is not causing extreme discomfort, there are numerous ways to treat it from the comfort of your home. Utilizing these approaches may help you manage the issue.
Change your jewelry.
Contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction that shows up on the skin, can produce Cartilage Piercing bumps. The majority of people have an allergy to specific metals, with nickel allergies being particularly common. A lot of budget-friendly metals contain nickel alloys.
People who are allergict to metal may have diverse symptoms and reactions such as itching, swelling, rashes, headaches and other discomforts.
- Intense itchiness
- Skin that’s tender to the touch
- Redness or rash around the piercing
- A hole that appears larger than the jewelry
The best solution for this issue is to opt for jewelry made from hypoallergenic materials, rather than your existing pieces.
If you’re not sure if your piercing has healed yet or if it’s been less than a year, visiting your piercer is the best advice. They can accurately tell you whether an allergy exists, as well as perform a new piercing with the appropriate jewelry.
After you’ve had your piercing for at least one year, you can confidently change the jewelry yourself at home. It is perfectly safe to do so.
You should switch to something made with:
- 18- or 24-karat gold
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Niobium
Clean your piercing.
During the healing process of a piercing, it is essential to clean it two to three times in a day. However, even after your piercing appears healed, continuing to clean it daily for 3 to 6 months at least is advisable.
Prior to handling your piercing for anything, including cleaning, make sure your hands are properly washed with soap and warm water. Subsequently, use a paper towel to dry them, then go ahead and clean the Cartilage Piercing.
To properly care for your piercing and the area around it, it is best to use a fragrance-free antimicrobial soap or the cleanser recommended by your piercer.
Avoid using:
- Benzalkonium chloride (BZK)
- Iodopovidone (Betadine)
- Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hydrogen peroxide
Once you’re done with washing the affected area, it’s essential to rinse it off completely. Any soap left behind can create irritation.
To dry your ear, use a paper towel and pat it lightly. Cloth towels may contain bacteria and make it harder to remove the jewelry without snagging.
Cleanse with a saline or sea salt soak.
Saline or sea salt soaks are effective in treating Cartilage Piercing infections since they help get rid of bacteria, dead cells, and other debris that can accumulate around the piercing. This ultimately prevents the formation of keloids.
If you don’t want to invest in store-bought saline, you can easily make your own using some sea salt and water. This will provide you with a cost-effective home-made alternative that still works well.
A solution of 8 ounces of warm water and ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt should suffice. Keep in mind that large crystals have a hard time dissolving in water and can be harsh on the skin, so make sure to avoid them.
To soak your ear:
- Fill a mug to the brim with saline or sea salt solution.
- Tilt your head downward and hold your ear underwater. You can also dip a paper towel in the saline and apply it to your ear.
- Soak for 5 minutes.
- Use a clean piece of paper to gently pat the area dry.
Use a chamomile compress
Chamomile is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. Applying a warm chamomile compress to a localized area may assist in transferring these amazing properties and boosting the circulation to that particular cartilage.
To make a warm chamomile compress:
- Wash your hands.
- To make a delicious cup of chamomile tea, immerse a bag of it in hot water and let it sit for 4 to 6 minutes.
- Let the tea bag sit on the piercing for 5-10 minutes, refreshing it with warm water occasionally. This will help keep the area clean and reduce any potential discomfort.
- Once finished, rinse your piercing thoroughly and use a paper towel to pat it dry.
For swollen eyes, you can try a combination of using saltwater or saline baths and chamomile compresses – just keep in mind that anyone with an allergy to ragweed should not use chamomile for relief.
When to see your piercer
Sometimes a change in hygiene routine can get rid of piercing bumps in a few days, but for keloids, it takes several weeks or months until they completely vanish.
If you don’t observe any positive changes, make sure to discuss it with your piercer. They are the most qualified to evaluate your condition and recommend what should be done next.
