Piercing Bump: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: February 19, 2026

A small, stubborn bump next to a piercing is one of the most common complications people face after getting pierced — and one of the most misunderstood. Roughly half of all piercing complications involve some form of bump, ranging from harmless irritation to permanent keloid scarring that requires medical intervention. This guide on how to get rid of piercing bumps covers causes, treatments, and prevention strategies for 2026, drawing on dermatological evidence and professional piercing standards. Whether the bump appeared yesterday or has lingered for months, the right approach depends entirely on identifying what type of bump it is first.

Key Takeaways

• Not all piercing bumps are the same. Irritation bumps, keloids, hypertrophic scars, and granulomas each require different treatment approaches [1][5].
• Most standard piercing bumps resolve within six weeks with proper saline cleaning and minimal touching [1].
• Keloids are permanent without professional treatment and may require corticosteroid injections, which shrink 50–80% of keloids [1].
• Many popular home remedies are harmful. Tea tree oil, aspirin paste, hydrogen peroxide, and Neosporin can worsen bumps or cause chemical burns [3].
• When a bump persists beyond six months, a dermatologist should evaluate it to rule out keloid formation or infection [4].

Quick Answer

Most piercing bumps are irritation bumps caused by friction, poor aftercare, or low-quality jewelry, and they go away within about six weeks when treated with saline soaks and left alone [1][4]. If the bump is hard, growing beyond the piercing site, or showing signs of infection (pus, spreading redness, warmth), professional medical care is necessary.

• Single most important step: identify the type of bump before choosing a treatment
  • what works for an irritation bump can make a keloid worse

What Are Piercing Bumps and Why Do They Form?

Piercing bumps are raised areas of skin that develop at or near a piercing site during the healing process. They form because a piercing is essentially a controlled wound, and the body's healing response can go off track for several reasons.

There are four main types of piercing bumps, and each one has a distinct cause and appearance:

• Irritation bump
  • Appearance: small, red or skin-colored, sits right at the piercing hole
  • Cause: friction, touching, poor jewelry, sleeping on it
  • Self-resolving?: yes, usually within 6 weeks [1]
• Keloid
  • Appearance: large, rounded, extends beyond the original wound, rubbery texture
  • Cause: genetic predisposition to excess collagen production
  • Self-resolving?: no — requires professional treatment [1][5]
• Hypertrophic scar
  • Appearance: firm, reddened, stays within the boundaries of the piercing wound
  • Cause: collagen overproduction from trauma or tension
  • Self-resolving?: sometimes, but may need steroid injections [7]
• Granuloma
  • Appearance: small, fleshy, sometimes bleeds easily
  • Cause: tissue overgrowth, typically appears around 6 weeks post-piercing
  • Self-resolving?: usually yes, with monitoring [5]

Common mistake: assuming every bump is a keloid. True keloids are relatively uncommon and have a strong genetic component. Most bumps people call “keloids” are actually irritation bumps or hypertrophic scars, which are far easier to treat [1][5].

Understanding the difference matters because:

• keloid treatment (corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy) is completely different from irritation bump treatment (saline soaks, removing the source of irritation)
• applying keloid treatments to a simple irritation bump is unnecessary
• ignoring a real keloid won’t make it go away

If you're dealing with other types of skin bumps or growths, understanding the difference between benign and concerning lesions is important. For context on how skin bumps are evaluated more broadly, see this guide to bump on nose concerns.

What Causes Piercing Bumps? The Most Common Triggers

The cause of a piercing bump determines the treatment. Here are the most frequent triggers, ranked by how often they're responsible:

1. Touching and friction
2. Hands carry bacteria. Every time a piercing is touched, twisted, or played with, bacteria are introduced and the healing tissue is disrupted.
3. This is the single most common cause of irritation bumps [2][4].
4. Poor-quality jewelry
5. Jewelry containing nickel or other reactive metals triggers contact dermatitis in many people.
6. The body treats the metal as a foreign invader and mounts an inflammatory response, producing a bump [2].
7. Surgical steel, despite its name, often contains nickel.
8. Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) is the safest option for fresh piercings.

If you've experienced skin reactions to metals or other irritants, our contact dermatitis treatment guide covers the broader topic of allergic skin responses.

1. Sleeping on the piercing
2. Sustained pressure from sleeping on a healing piercing compresses the tissue and disrupts blood flow.
3. Ear piercings (helix, tragus, conch) are especially vulnerable because side-sleepers press the piercing against the pillow for hours each night.
4. Harsh or incorrect cleaning products
5. Using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, or antibacterial soap on a healing piercing strips away the body's natural healing cells and causes chemical irritation [3].
6. This creates a cycle: harsh product irritates the skin → bump forms → more product applied → bump worsens.
7. Snagging or trauma
8. Catching jewelry on clothing, towels, hairbrushes, or masks pulls on the healing tissue and can trigger hypertrophic scarring or irritation bumps [6].
9. Genetic predisposition (keloids)
10. Some people are genetically prone to keloid formation.
11. Keloids are more common in people with darker skin tones and those with a family history of keloid scarring [1][5].
12. A person who has developed a keloid from any wound (not just piercings) is at higher risk for keloids at future piercing sites.
13. Infection
14. True piercing infections — marked by increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever — cause bumps that require antibiotic treatment [1][2].
15. Infections are less common than irritation bumps but more serious.

Edge case: sometimes a bump appears months or even years after a piercing has fully healed. This usually happens because of:

• a change in jewelry (new metal allergy)
• physical trauma to the area
• hormonal changes that affect skin healing

How To Get Rid Of Piercing Bumps: Safe Home Treatments That Actually Work

For standard irritation bumps and minor granulomas, two evidence-based home treatments are consistently recommended by professional piercers and dermatologists. There is no universal “cure-all” product for piercing bumps [3].

Saline Soaks (The Gold Standard)

Saline solution is the single most effective and safest home treatment for piercing bumps [4][6].

How to do it:

• Mix 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into 1 cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled water.
  • Alternatively, use a pre-made sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride) from a pharmacy.
• Soak a clean gauze pad or paper towel in the solution.
• Hold it against the bump for 5–10 minutes.
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel (not a cloth towel, which harbors bacteria).
• Repeat 2–3 times daily [4].

Why it works: saline mimics the body's natural fluid balance, gently draws out lymph fluid and debris, and supports the body’s own healing process without introducing chemicals.

Chamomile Tea Compresses

Chamomile has mild anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe irritated piercing tissue [6].

How to do it:

• Brew a chamomile tea bag in hot water for 3–4 minutes.
• Let it cool slightly (warm, not hot).
• Press the tea bag directly against the bump for 5–10 minutes.
• Follow with a saline rinse.

How to choose:

• Choose saline soaks if the bump is fresh (under 2 weeks old) or actively irritated.
• Add chamomile compresses if the bump is persistent and saline alone hasn’t shown improvement after 2 weeks.

The LITHA Method (Leave It The Heck Alone)

Beyond saline cleaning, the most effective thing to do is nothing.

• Stop touching the piercing.
• Stop rotating the jewelry.
• Stop applying products.

The body heals piercings on its own when the source of irritation is removed [3][4].

Checklist: Daily Piercing Bump Care

• Clean with saline solution 2–3 times daily
• Pat dry with disposable paper towel
• Avoid touching, twisting, or rotating jewelry
• Sleep on the opposite side (or use a travel/donut pillow)
• Keep hair, hats, and headphones away from the piercing
• Avoid submerging in pools, hot tubs, or lakes
• Check that jewelry is implant-grade titanium or niobium

Dangerous Home Remedies To Avoid (They Make Bumps Worse)

The internet is full of piercing bump “hacks” that are not only ineffective but can cause real harm. Professional piercers and dermatologists consistently warn against these [3]:

• Tea tree oil
  • Caustic essential oil that can cause chemical burns, contact dermatitis, and tissue damage on healing wounds [3]
• Aspirin paste
  • Contains salicylic acid, which can burn skin and cause irritation — it’s designed for headaches, not wounds [3]
• Hydrogen peroxide
  • Kills healing cells along with bacteria, delays wound closure, and dries out tissue [3]
• Neosporin / antibiotic ointment
  • Creates a moisture barrier that traps bacteria; not designed for puncture wounds [3]
• Rubbing alcohol
  • Strips natural oils, kills healthy tissue, causes excessive drying and cracking [3]
• Apple cider vinegar
  • Acidic enough to cause chemical burns on broken skin [3]
• Dish soap
  • Far too harsh for healing tissue; causes severe irritation [3]
• Crushed vitamin E capsules
  • Can clog the piercing channel and trap bacteria

“There is no universal cure-all product for piercing bumps. The appropriate treatment varies significantly depending on the cause.” [3]

Why do these remedies persist? Because irritation bumps often resolve on their own within weeks regardless of what’s applied. People credit the tea tree oil or aspirin paste, when the bump would have healed anyway — or healed faster without the harsh product.

For a broader understanding of how skin reacts to irritants and what treatments are evidence-based, the cystic acne treatment guide provides useful context on inflammatory skin responses.

When Do Piercing Bumps Need Professional Medical Treatment?

Some piercing bumps cannot be resolved at home. Professional treatment is necessary when the bump is a keloid, an infection, a hypertrophic scar that won’t respond to conservative care, or an allergic reaction that persists after jewelry changes.

Signs That Require a Doctor Visit

• The bump is growing beyond the boundaries of the piercing wound (possible keloid) [1][5]
• Pus, blood, or foul-smelling discharge is present (possible infection) [1][2]
• Spreading redness, warmth, or fever accompanies the bump (infection) [2]
• The bump has persisted for more than six months despite proper aftercare [4]
• The bump is painful and getting worse, not better, over time

Professional Treatment Options

Corticosteroid injections (for keloids and hypertrophic scars)

• Corticosteroid injections are the most effective non-surgical treatment for keloids.
• They work by breaking down excess collagen in the scar tissue.
• According to dermatological sources, 50–80% of keloids become smaller after steroid treatment [1].
• Injections are typically given in a series, spaced three to four weeks apart [1].
• For hypertrophic scars, one or two steroid injections are usually sufficient, combined with permanent removal of the jewelry [7].

Antibiotic treatment (for infections)

• Infected piercing bumps require prescription antibiotics — either topical creams or oral medication, depending on severity [1][2].
• Do not remove jewelry from an infected piercing without medical guidance, as the hole can close and trap the infection inside.

Pressure therapy (for keloid prevention)

• After keloid treatment on earlobes, dermatologists may recommend pressure earrings.
• These devices apply constant, gentle pressure to the area, decreasing blood flow and reducing the chance of keloid recurrence [1].

Cryotherapy (freezing)

• Some dermatologists use liquid nitrogen to freeze keloid tissue.
• This is often combined with steroid injections for better results.

Surgical excision (last resort)

• Large keloids may be surgically removed, but surgically removed keloids almost always return unless combined with steroid injections, radiation therapy, or pressure therapy [1].
• Surgery alone is rarely recommended.

If you're considering whether a skin procedure might be covered by insurance, our cosmetic vs. medical necessity insurance coverage guide explains how coverage decisions are typically made.

How To Prevent Piercing Bumps From Forming in the First Place

Prevention is far easier than treatment. Most piercing bumps are avoidable with proper planning and aftercare.

Before Getting Pierced

• Choose a reputable piercer. Look for Association of Professional Piercers membership or equivalent credentials.
• Request implant-grade titanium jewelry (ASTM F136).
  • Avoid surgical steel, sterling silver, and plated jewelry in new piercings [2].
• Know your keloid history.
  • If you or close family members have developed keloids from any wound, discuss this with your piercer and a dermatologist before getting pierced [5].
• Avoid getting pierced during high-stress periods or when your immune system is compromised, as healing may be slower.

During the Healing Period

The healing timeline varies by piercing location:

• Earlobe: 6–8 weeks
• Nostril: 4–6 months
• Helix / Cartilage: 6–12 months
• Septum: 6–8 weeks
• Navel: 6–12 months
• Nipple: 9–12 months
• Industrial: 9–12 months

During this entire period:

• Clean with saline only — twice daily is sufficient. Over-cleaning is almost as harmful as under-cleaning [4][6].
• Never touch the piercing with unwashed hands. Even then, minimize contact.
• Don’t rotate or twist the jewelry. This old advice has been debunked; rotating disrupts the healing fistula (tissue tunnel) [3].
• Avoid sleeping on the piercing. Use a travel pillow with a hole in the center for ear piercings.
• Keep hair products, makeup, and sunscreen away from the piercing site.
• Avoid swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs, and oceans until the piercing is fully healed.
• Downsize jewelry at the right time.
  • Initial jewelry is longer to accommodate swelling.
  • Once swelling subsides (usually 4–8 weeks), have your piercer swap to a shorter post to reduce movement and snagging.

Long-Term Care

Even after a piercing is fully healed, bumps can appear if:

• Jewelry is changed to a reactive metal
• The piercing is snagged or traumatized
• The area is exposed to prolonged pressure

Maintaining implant-grade jewelry and treating the piercing gently — even years later — reduces the risk of late-onset bumps.

Understanding how your skin type affects healing can also be helpful. Our Fitzpatrick skin type guide explains how different skin types respond to wounds and scarring.

Piercing Bump vs. Keloid: How To Tell the Difference

This is one of the most common questions people search for, and getting the answer right determines whether home care is sufficient or professional intervention is needed.

Irritation bumps

• Appear within days to weeks of getting pierced or changing jewelry
• Sit directly at the piercing hole
• Are usually the same color as surrounding skin or slightly red
• Flatten and shrink when the source of irritation is removed
• Respond to saline soaks within 2–6 weeks [1]

Keloids

• Can appear weeks, months, or even years after piercing
• Grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound
• Feel firm or rubbery to the touch
• Continue growing over time if untreated
• Do not respond to saline soaks or home remedies
• Are permanent without professional treatment [1][5]

Decision rule:

• If the bump stays within the piercing site and responds (even slightly) to saline treatment within 2–3 weeks, it’s almost certainly an irritation bump.
• If it’s growing outward, feels hard, and doesn’t change with home care, see a dermatologist.

Keloids are permanent and do not resolve on their own, unlike typical piercing bumps. They can become disfiguring if left untreated. [5]

People with a history of keloids from any type of wound — surgery, acne, cuts — should be especially cautious about new piercings and consult a dermatologist beforehand. For more on how abnormal skin growths are evaluated, see this guide to skin conditions and growths.

Special Considerations by Piercing Location

Different piercing locations present unique challenges for bump formation and treatment.

Nose Piercings

Nose piercings (nostril and septum) are among the most prone to bumps because of their location. The nose is touched frequently, exposed to nasal mucus, and the cartilage heals slowly. Nostril piercings typically take 4–6 months to heal, and bumps are common during this window [5].

Specific tips for nose piercing bumps:

• Avoid blowing the nose forcefully during early healing
• Use a saline nasal spray (not a nasal decongestant) for gentle cleaning
• Be careful with face masks, which can snag and irritate nose piercings

Cartilage Piercings (Helix, Tragus, Conch, Daith)

Cartilage has less blood flow than soft tissue, so it heals more slowly and is more susceptible to irritation bumps and hypertrophic scarring [6]. Cartilage piercings can take 6–12 months to fully heal.

Specific tips:

• Sleeping pressure is the number one cause of cartilage piercing bumps — use a donut pillow
• Avoid headphones that press on healing cartilage piercings
• Don’t change jewelry until the piercing is fully healed (consult your piercer)

Earlobe Piercings

Earlobes heal relatively quickly (6–8 weeks), but they’re the most common site for keloid formation, especially in people with genetic predisposition [1].

Specific tips:

• If a keloid forms, pressure earrings can help prevent recurrence after treatment [1]
• Avoid heavy earrings during healing, as the weight creates tension on the wound

Navel Piercings

Navel piercings are high-friction piercings because clothing constantly rubs against them. They have one of the longest healing times (6–12 months) and one of the highest rejection rates.

Specific tips:

• Wear loose, breathable clothing during healing
• Avoid high-waisted pants that press directly on the jewelry
• Watch for signs of migration (the piercing moving toward the skin surface), which can cause bumps

Timeline: What To Expect During Piercing Bump Treatment

Understanding the typical timeline helps set realistic expectations and prevents premature panic.

• Days 1–3
  • After starting proper saline care and removing the irritation source, the bump may initially look the same or slightly worse due to the body’s initial inflammatory response.
• Week 1–2
  • Irritation bumps often begin to flatten and lose redness.
  • The bump may drain clear or slightly yellowish lymph fluid (this is normal, not pus).
• Week 3–4
  • Significant improvement is typical for irritation bumps.
  • The bump should be noticeably smaller.
• Week 5–6
  • Most irritation bumps are fully resolved by this point [1].
• Month 2–3
  • If the bump hasn’t improved at all, reassess:
    • is the source of irritation truly eliminated?
    • is the jewelry appropriate?
• Month 6+
  • A bump that persists beyond six months despite consistent proper care warrants a dermatologist visit [4].

Important: progress isn’t always linear. A bump may shrink, then swell again after being bumped or slept on. This is normal. Consistent care over weeks is what matters, not day-to-day changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pop a piercing bump?

No. Piercing bumps are not pimples. They don’t contain poppable material in the same way. Squeezing or popping a piercing bump introduces bacteria, causes tissue damage, and almost always makes the bump worse [3]. Leave it alone and treat with saline.

Should I remove my jewelry if I get a bump?

Not necessarily. If the bump is an irritation bump, removing the jewelry allows the hole to close, potentially trapping infection inside. Instead, identify and remove the cause of the irritation (friction, wrong metal, sleeping on it).

• Exception: hypertrophic scars may require permanent jewelry removal combined with steroid injections [7].
• Consult a professional piercer or dermatologist before removing jewelry.

How long do piercing bumps last?

• Standard irritation bumps typically resolve within six weeks with proper care [1].
• Granulomas may take a similar timeframe [5].
• Keloids are permanent without professional treatment and will continue to grow if left alone [1][5].
• Hypertrophic scars may take several months to flatten, even with treatment.

Is tea tree oil safe for piercing bumps?

No. Despite its widespread recommendation online, tea tree oil is a caustic essential oil that can cause chemical burns, allergic reactions, and tissue damage on healing piercing wounds [3]. Saline solution is safer and more effective.

Can I use Neosporin on a piercing bump?

No. Neosporin and similar antibiotic ointments are designed for surface wounds, not puncture wounds like piercings. The thick ointment creates a moisture barrier that can trap bacteria inside the piercing channel [3]. Use saline solution instead.

What's the difference between pus and lymph fluid?

• Lymph fluid is clear to pale yellow, has no strong odor, and is a normal part of healing.
• Pus is thick, opaque (white, yellow, or green), often has a foul smell, and indicates infection [2].

If you see pus, seek medical attention.

Do piercing bumps leave scars?

• Irritation bumps that resolve with proper care typically leave no lasting scar.
• Keloids and hypertrophic scars are, by definition, scar tissue and may leave permanent marks even after treatment.

Early treatment produces better cosmetic outcomes.

Can I prevent keloids if I'm genetically prone?

Risk can be reduced but not eliminated.

• Using implant-grade titanium, choosing a skilled piercer, and following strict aftercare all lower the odds.
• Some dermatologists recommend prophylactic pressure earrings immediately after earlobe piercings in keloid-prone individuals [1].
• Discussing the risks with a dermatologist before getting pierced is the best approach.

Are nose piercing bumps different from ear piercing bumps?

The types of bumps (irritation, keloid, hypertrophic, granuloma) are the same regardless of location. However, nose piercings are more prone to irritation bumps because of the nose’s exposure to mucus, frequent touching, and mask friction [5]. Treatment principles remain the same.

When should I go to the emergency room for a piercing bump?

Seek urgent care if you experience:

• fever
• red streaks spreading from the piercing site
• severe swelling that affects breathing or swallowing (for oral piercings)
• rapidly worsening symptoms

These signs suggest a serious infection that needs immediate antibiotic treatment [2].

Can I change my jewelry to fix a piercing bump?

• If the bump is caused by a metal allergy (nickel sensitivity), switching to implant-grade titanium or niobium jewelry can resolve the bump [2].
• Have a professional piercer do the swap — changing jewelry yourself with unwashed hands or non-sterile tools can introduce new problems.
• If the bump is caused by something other than metal allergy, changing jewelry alone won’t fix it.

Is it normal to get a bump months after a piercing healed?

Yes. Fully healed piercings can develop bumps if they’re:

• traumatized (snagged on clothing)
• exposed to a new allergic metal
• subjected to prolonged pressure

Treat these late-onset bumps the same way: identify and remove the irritation source, clean with saline, and monitor for improvement.

Conclusion

Getting rid of a piercing bump starts with one critical step: identifying what type of bump it is. The vast majority of piercing bumps are simple irritation bumps that respond well to saline soaks, proper aftercare, and removing the source of irritation within about six weeks [1]. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, and infections require professional medical treatment — and no amount of tea tree oil or aspirin paste will fix them [3].

Actionable next steps:

• Stop using harsh products immediately. Switch to sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride) as the only cleaning agent.
• Identify the irritation source. Is it the jewelry metal? Sleeping position? Touching? Clothing friction? Remove or change whatever is causing the problem.
• Give it time. Commit to consistent saline care for at least 4–6 weeks before concluding that the bump isn’t responding.
• See a dermatologist if the bump persists beyond six months, grows beyond the piercing site, or shows signs of infection (pus, spreading redness, fever) [4].
• For confirmed keloids, corticosteroid injections administered by a dermatologist are the most effective treatment, with 50–80% of keloids responding to this approach [1].

Piercings are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over. With the right knowledge and consistent care, most bumps are temporary inconveniences — not permanent problems.

For those dealing with other skin concerns or considering whether a bump needs professional evaluation, the complete guide to milia removal and information on folliculitis symptoms and treatments provide additional context on common skin bumps and their management.

Key Takeaways

• Piercing bumps fall into four categories: irritation bumps, keloids, hypertrophic scars, and granulomas — each with different treatment needs [1][5]
• Saline soaks (0.9% sodium chloride) are the safest and most effective home treatment for irritation bumps [4][6]
• Tea tree oil, aspirin paste, hydrogen peroxide, and Neosporin are harmful to healing piercings despite widespread online recommendations [3]
• Most irritation bumps resolve within six weeks when the source of irritation is removed [1]
• Keloids are permanent without professional treatment; corticosteroid injections shrink 50–80% of keloids [1]
• Hypertrophic scars may require permanent jewelry removal plus steroid injections [7]
• Infected piercings need prescription antibiotics — do not attempt to treat infections with home remedies [1][2]
• Prevention is the best strategy: use implant-grade titanium, avoid touching, clean with saline only, and don’t sleep on healing piercings
• Any bump lasting beyond six months warrants evaluation by a dermatologist [4]
• Never remove jewelry from a suspected infected piercing without medical guidance, as the hole may close and trap the infection [2]

References

[1] Piercing Bump Vs Keloid Difference And How To Treat Each - https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/piercing-bump-vs-keloid-difference-and-how-to-treat-each [2] Medical News Today - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326325 [3] A Comprehensive Guide To Piercing Bumps - https://www.lynnloheide.com/post/a-comprehensive-guide-to-piercing-bumps [4] How To Get Rid Of Piercing Bumps And Keep Them Away - https://www.bodyj4you.com/blogs/news/how-to-get-rid-of-piercing-bumps-and-keep-them-away [5] How To Get Rid Of Nose Piercing Bump - https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-nose-piercing-bump [6] Cartilage Piercing Bump - https://www.healthline.com/health/cartilage-piercing-bump [7] Common Issues After Piercing - https://www.rochesterregional.org/hub/common-issues-after-piercing

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