This article was co-authored by Stephanie Anders. Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you recently got a new piercing, seeing a bump in your cartilage can be a bummer. But don’t worry. They’re actually called granulomas, or “healing bumps,” and they’re pretty common. They’ll usually clear up on their own, but there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process. To help you do it, we’ve answered some of the most common questions you have about how you can heal your cartilage piercing bumps.
Steps
How do you treat the bumps (granuloma) at home?
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1Hold a pad soaked in warm water against it once a day. Granulomas can form when fluid gets trapped beneath your skin. Take a clean cotton pad, gauze, or cloth and soak it some warm water. Press it against the bump and hold it in place for a few minutes to help soothe and release the trapped fluid.[5]
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2Try changing your jewelry. Some jewelry uses metal alloys that contain nickel, which can cause an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis, which can look just like piercing bumps.[6] Swap out your jewelry for some made from a different material to see if that helps.
- You may not even realize that some jewelry has nickel in it!
- If you do have an allergy to metal, you may also have itchiness and a rash around the piercing.
How can you prevent cartilage piercing bumps?
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1Choose jewelry that fits properly. Loose and ill-fitting jewelry can move around inside your piercing, which can disturb the cartilage and cause piercing bumps. Go with jewelry that fits snugly into place and doesn’t wiggle around to help prevent damage to the surrounding cartilage.[7]
- If you’re unsure of how to choose proper jewelry, ask a professional piercer. They should be happy to help you choose the perfect jewelry for your new cartilage piercing.
- Additionally, try to avoid wearing earrings with butterfly backs, which are more likely to cause bumps.
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2Avoid bumping or snagging your piercing. Bumps and snags can cause your jewelry to move around, which can lead to granulomas. Try to stay aware of your piercing and do your best to protect it at all times. As tempting as it may be, don't fiddle with it or touch it to reduce your chances of developing a bump.[8]
- Tie long hair back as much as possible (particularly when sleeping) to prevent it from snagging in your piercing jewelry.
When should I see a doctor for piercing bumps?
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1See your doctor if the granuloma shows signs of an infection. If your piercing bump is accompanied by extreme pain or if there is blood or pus coming out of the hole, it may be infected. Infections can lead to other more serious complications, so see your doctor right away to address it.[9]
- Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or an antibiotic cream to help treat an infection.
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2Get medical attention for severe cases to prevent complications. If you have a lot of bumps that cover a wide area of your cartilage, see your doctor. They’ll examine you to make sure there isn’t an underlying condition affecting you and may prescribe drugs such as antibiotics, antimalarials, or other drugs used to prevent serious immune system reactions.[10]
- Studies have shown that medications used to treat malaria can be an effective treatment for some people for granulomas.[11]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhy does my cartilage piercing have a bump?
Stephanie AndersStephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and PiercingIt could be irritation from bumping your piercing or you may be wearing improper jewelry. -
QuestionDo irritation bumps go away?Stephanie AndersStephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and PiercingThe bumps may disappear during the day if you leave your piercing alone and don't irritate it any further.
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/granuloma-annulare-treatment
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/keloids-a-to-z
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001464.htm
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infected-piercings/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infected-piercings/
- ↑ https://jkms.org/search.php?where=aview&id=10.3346/jkms.2008.23.2.315&code=0063JKMS&vmode=PUBREADER
- ↑ Stephanie Anders. Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
- ↑ Stephanie Anders. Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infected-piercings/
About This Article
If you want to heal a bump on a cartilage piercing, hold a cotton ball soaked in hot salt water over the bump for about 2 minutes twice a day until the bump heals. You can also add chamomile tea to the salt water to soothe the skin around the piercing. If that doesn’t work and your piercing is fully healed, you can make a compress by pressing down on the bump with breathable medical tape. Regardless of the method you choose, it may take up to 2-3 months for the bump to heal, so be patient! Keep reading for home remedies that may help treat your bump, like tea tree oil or aspirin!
