About Piercing Bumps

Before getting a piercing consider your skin's ability to heal and whether or not you're apt to develop a bump or a scar at the site of the piercing. Do you heal slowly? Do you tend to scar? Are you a magnet for infections? You should be able to determine whether or not you are at risk and, if you think you might be, whether you want to proceed with the piercing.

Warning

Before getting a piercing or a tattoo, take into consideration whether you have a genetic predisposition toward keloids. A keloid is a scar that results in hypertrophy--or the overgrowth--of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. Keloids not only create bumps but can grow to be massive. Keloids can be itchy and some keloid sufferers claim that they experience pain emanating from the keloids. Aesthetically speaking, keloids are not an attractive addition to a person's body. The overgrowth of scar tissue is a firm, rubbery lesion with fibrous nodules. Keloids sometimes differ in color from the rest of the person's skin, just as "regular" scars tend to do. Keloids can be dark brown, red, flesh-toned or pinkish in color.
The word "keloid" is used to describe protruding scar tissue because keloid scars resemble the shell and legs of a crab. Keloids are sometimes described as the body's over-zealous response to a minor injury, such as a piercing.
If you have the propensity to develop keloids you are probably already aware of this because you have, in the past, developed keloids after you've injured yourself and the keloid has remained long after the actual injury healed. Do not dismiss this as insignificant because it is important. If you are keloid-prone, you are not a good candidate for piercings or tattoos because the odds are that a keloid will develop at the site of the piercing or tattoo. Keep in mind that keloids can occur any place on the body, including on the tongue. African-Americans are more apt to develop keloids than Caucasians.

Other Bump Causing Culprits

When your nose or ear is pierced and cartilage is involved you are likely to develop a "bump" at the exit site of the piercing. A cartilage piercing is more apt to develop an infection than a lobe piercing. An infection at the site of a piercing can result not only in a bump but it can become an abscess, which is a pocket of pus. Abscesses are extremely painful. If this occurs, seek medical help. An antibiotic will be administered, either orally or topically or both, to clear up the infection.
People sometimes develop what is called hypertrophic scars when they pierce their nose. This type of scar is described as a raised lump of skin and is the result of an overabundance of connective tissue. Fortunately, hypertrophic scars don't grow larger and usually the appearance of the scar will improve in time. However, a keloid, which can develop anywhere that there has been a wound, can grow. Hypertrophic and keloid scars generally occur among darker-skinned people and on younger people.

Prevention/Solution

The course of action to take depends on what type of bump you have developed. If you have developed a keloid, and if it is small enough, it may respond well to corticosteroid injections. The same goes for hypertrophic bumps and scars which, too, can be treated with this type of injection. A hypertrophic scar does not resemble a tumor whereas a keloid does. The hypertrophic scar's appearance is akin to a large, raised welt. Some people are genetically predisposed to develop hypertrophic scars, including darker-skinned people. These problems can be avoided by not getting the piercing, or tattoo, in the first place.

Treatments

Topical treatment, such as applying silicone gel sheets to the scar, seem to be effective, although once a scar is present it is never going to go away completely. Doctors use corticosteroid therapy to flatten and soften the appearance of scars and bumps. Some doctors recommend collagen injections, re-surfacing the skin and/or dermabrasion.
If you seek treatment, your doctor may install a "wick" to keep the wound open for drainage. The wick is inserted if your jewelry is removed. However, it is not recommended that you remove the jewelry on your own because the stud or ring may be creating a drainage path which is crucial. If the infection can't drain, a more serious infection can occur.
If you have developed a bump, do not try to pop or squeeze it. That will only exacerbate the situation and not in a good way. Consult with a physician if in doubt.

Home Remedies

Those who have dealt with infections and bumps following a piercing claim applying sea salts and chamomile tea bags topically to the site helps. Diluted tea tree essential oil is also reported to be a soothing and curative compound. When treating the infection, make sure that your hands are clean and that your equipment is also clean and sterile.
A hot compress can be held against a pus filled abscess or boil, which should reduce its size. Using a mild microbial soap two or three times a day on the infected site is an option. It is recommended that you avoid using hairspray or perfume around the infected area because this can aggravate the situation.
If your home remedy isn't effective, consult with a doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Resources

• Zimbio Body Piercings
• Healing Cartilage Bumps
• How to Heal Piercing Bumps