Piercing Bumps? WTF?!?!

Top 5 Mistakes That Make Piercing Bumps Worse (and What to Do Instead)

Piercing bumps are one of the most frustrating parts of the healing process—and unfortunately, most of them are made worse by everyday mistakes. Whether you’re new to body piercing or you’ve been pierced for years, this guide will help you avoid five common pitfalls and heal smarter.

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1. Overcleaning or Using Harsh Products

What people do: Overzealous cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, tea tree oil, or ointments like Neosporin.

Why it’s harmful: These products damage fresh tissue, dry out the skin, and can cause chemical burns or long-term irritation.

Do this instead: Use a sterile saline spray (fine mist wound wash) no more than twice daily. Gently rinse the area in the shower and pat dry—no aggressive cleaning or scrubbing.

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2. Touching, Twisting, or Sleeping on the Piercing

What people do: Fiddling with jewelry, rotating it, or sleeping on the pierced side too soon.

Why it’s harmful: Touching and movement cause trauma and introduce bacteria. Even “gentle twisting” delays healing and can cause or worsen bumps.

Do this instead: Follow the LITHA rule: Leave It The Hell Alone. Sleep on your opposite side or use a travel pillow to avoid pressure.

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3. Wearing the Wrong Jewelry

What people do: Wear low-quality metal or improperly sized jewelry.

Why it’s harmful: Inferior materials like nickel-containing alloys can cause allergic reactions, while poor sizing leads to pressure and trauma.

Do this instead: Always choose implant-grade titanium, solid 14k/18k gold, or verified biocompatible materials. Jewelry should fit correctly—not too tight, not too long.

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4. Ignoring Irritation and Mechanical Trauma

What people do: Bump or snag jewelry repeatedly, wear tight clothing over the area, or let long hair catch on piercings.

Why it’s harmful: Ongoing physical irritation keeps the wound inflamed and delays tissue recovery, often causing those raised “bumps.”

Do this instead: Avoid friction. Use gentle care when dressing, drying off, or styling hair. Keep fabrics, accessories, and hands away from the site.

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5. Delaying Help or Trying to Fix It Alone

What people do: Try to “pop” bumps, guess at treatment based on social media tips, or wait too long to seek help.

Why it’s harmful: Misdiagnosing a piercing issue can lead to worse outcomes. Infection, hypertrophic scars, and keloids all look different and require different responses.

Do this instead: Stick to your saline care. If the bump persists or worsens, let a professional piercer assess it. In some cases, switching jewelry or medical referral may be needed.