Piercing Bump: What It Is, What Causes It and How to Get Rid of It

Noticed a little bump next to your piercing and immediately reached for Google?

You're not alone. A piercing bump is more common than you think and although it can look alarming, it's usually nothing to panic about. In most cases, it's simply your body's way of responding to irritation during the healing process.

Here's what you need to know...

What is a piercing bump?

A piercing bump is a small raised bump that forms next to a healing piercing. It's usually flesh-coloured or pink and is caused by irritation rather than infection.

Many people mistake a piercing bump for a keloid, but they're very different. A keloid is a type of scar that grows beyond the original piercing site and is much less common. A piercing bump stays close to the jewellery and will often settle once the source of irritation is removed.

If you're ever unsure, we're always happy to take a look.

What causes a piercing bump?

The most common cause is repeated irritation to a healing piercing.

That could be:

💤 Sleeping on it

😬 Touching or twisting the jewellery

🎧 Catching it on clothing, headphones or hair

👇 Wearing jewellery that's ready to be downsized

💦 Cleaning it too often or using products that are too harsh

Even something that seems small can cause enough irritation for a bump to appear.

How do you get rid of a piercing bump?

The best treatment is to remove whatever is causing the irritation and keep your aftercare simple.

We recommend:

Cleaning with sterile saline solution twice a day.

Leaving the jewellery alone, no twisting or fiddling.

Sleeping on a piercing pillow if it's an ear piercing.

Booking in for a jewellery downsize if you're due one.

Giving it time.

When should you get it checked?

Most piercing bumps will improve if you find and eliminate the problem and with the right aftercare, but if yours is becoming increasingly painful, feels hot or just isn't getting any better, it's worth having it assessed by a professional.

Sometimes a quick jewellery change or a small tweak to your aftercare routine is all that's needed to get healing back on track.

Need some advice?

Healing isn't always straightforward, and that's completely normal. If you're worried about a piercing bump or you're not sure what's causing it, pop into the studio and we'll happily have a look.

Whether your piercing was done at Dorathy & J or elsewhere, we're here to help you heal with confidence.