Before I get started, I want to be clear: I am not a certified doctor or professional piercer. This post is based entirely on my personal experience with piercings, what has worked for me, and what I’ve learned over time. I’ve had 18 piercings, removed five of them, and even re-pierced one that healed perfectly. I’ve also dealt with virtually every piercing problem you can imagine, including bumps, irritation, and infections — so I feel like I have a lot of firsthand insight to share.
One of the most important things to understand is the difference between keloids, piercing bumps, and infections. Keloids are raised, thick scars that can form around a piercing and usually need professional treatment. Piercing bumps, on the other hand, are smaller, often red or white, and usually form due to irritation, friction, or improper aftercare. Infections are typically painful, swollen, or oozing and can require medical attention if they don’t improve with home care. Knowing the difference is the first step in figuring out how to handle each situation.
Over the years, I’ve tried nearly every solution for piercing bumps and irritation. Some of my go-to treatments include Tretinoin cream, which can help with stubborn bumps; tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties (used carefully and diluted); and the simple piercing solution that most piercers recommend for regular cleaning. Soaking the piercing in a saltwater solution has also been effective for calming irritation and keeping the area clean, and for more persistent problems, I’ve used Hibiclens, which is a gentle antiseptic solution.
Sometimes, despite product trial and error and your best efforts, a piercing just won’t cooperate. In those cases, the question becomes: should you take it out? In my experience, removing a piercing can be the right choice if it’s consistently infected, causing a painful bump, or if no other solution seems to work. It’s a personal decision, but sometimes taking it out and allowing the area to heal is the fastest way to prevent scarring or more serious issues. After healing, you can often re-pierce safely, which I’ve successfully done myself.
The key takeaway from my experience is that every piercing is different, and your routine should be tailored to your own body and lifestyle. What works for one person may not work for another, and trial and error is often part of the process. Patience, consistent care, and knowing when to seek professional advice are the most important factors in keeping piercings healthy and beautiful.