Septum piercings are becoming increasingly popular, but they can come with risks if not cared for properly. Neglecting to clean a septum piercing regularly or handling it with dirty hands can potentially lead to serious health complications and even ruin the appearance of the piercing. To avoid these pitfalls, it is important to understand a few mistakes made when caring for a septum piercing so that you can take steps to ensure proper healing and infection prevention. Read on to learn more about the most common mistakes made when caring for a septum piercing and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
What are the most common mistakes made when caring for a septum piercing?
1. Not cleaning it regularly: One of the most common mistakes made when caring for a septum piercing is not cleaning it regularly. Septum piercings should be cleaned at least twice a day, using either sterile saline solution or mild soap and water.
2. Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands: Another mistake made when caring for a septum piercing is handling it with dirty hands. Your hands can easily transfer bacteria to the pierced area, so they must be kept clean before coming into contact with your piercing!
3. Using harsh products on the piercing: Harsh products such as alcohol, peroxide, and ointments should never be used on a septum piercing as they can cause irritation and even damage tissue.
4. Moving the piercing too much: Avoid fiddling with your septum piercing as this could increase the likelihood of infection and slow down its healing time. It is best to leave it alone until it has fully healed.
5. Not visiting a piercer for aftercare advice: Following the instructions given by your piercer or healthcare provider is essential for proper healing and infection prevention. Do not hesitate to visit them if you have any questions or concerns about the healing process.
How can improper care of a septum piercing affect your health and the appearance of the piercing?
Inadequate care of a septum piercing can lead to serious health complications such as infection and even tissue damage. This can cause pain, swelling, redness, and discharge. It is also possible for the piercing to become permanently scarred if it is not cared for properly. Improper care of a septum piercing can also affect its appearance as the jewelry may not fit properly or be visibly irritated. If a septum piercing is left untreated, it could even close up completely!
To avoid these risks and ensure proper healing of your septum piercing, make sure to follow all aftercare instructions given by your piercer or healthcare provider and clean the pierced area at least twice daily with either sterile saline solution or mild soap and water. Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands, using harsh products on it, moving it around too much, or neglecting to visit your piercer for aftercare advice. Additionally, make sure to change out the jewelry every one or two months. By following these guidelines and taking proper care of your septum piercing, you can avoid health complications and keep it looking great!
What is the best way to clean a septum piercing?
The best way to clean a septum piercing is with either a sterile saline solution or mild soap and water. Before cleaning, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Then take some of the cleaning solutions onto a cotton swab and gently clean around the piercing, taking care not to touch it directly. Once you have finished cleaning the area, rinse it off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure to repeat this process twice daily as part of your regular aftercare routine!
Are there any other tips for taking care of a septum piercing correctly?
Yes! Here are a few other tips for taking care of a septum piercing correctly:
1. Avoid swimming until the piercing has fully healed, as chlorine and other chemicals can irritate it.
2. Be gentle when cleaning and avoid scrubbing or rubbing on the area.
3. Wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid any tight-fitting items around the pierced area while it is healing.
4. Eat a healthy diet to support your body’s natural healing process and take regular vitamins if recommended by your piercer or healthcare provider.
5. Don’t remove jewelry once it has been inserted, as this could increase the risk of infection or cause scarring of the tissue.
6. Be patient and give your piercing enough time to heal completely. This can take up to several months, depending on the individual.
What should you do if you experience irritation or infection from your septum piercing?
If you experience any signs of infection or irritation from your septum piercing, contact your piercer or healthcare provider for advice. They may recommend a different cleaning routine or suggest that the jewelry be changed out for a different size or type. If an infection is present, they may also prescribe antibiotics to help clear it up. Additionally, make sure to avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands and keep it clean regularly with sterile saline solution or mild soap and water!
Conclusion
Caring for a septum piercing correctly is an essential part of the healing process. It is important to clean your piercing regularly with sterile saline solution or mild soap and water, avoid touching it with dirty hands and change out the jewelry every one or two months. Additionally, eat a healthy diet and wear loose-fitting clothing during the healing period. If you experience any signs of infection or irritation from your septum piercing, contact your piercer or healthcare provider for advice. By following these guidelines and taking proper care of your septum piercing, you can avoid health complications and keep it looking great!
FAQ About Common Septum Piercing Care Mistakes
Q: What can you not do after a septum piercing?
A: It’s important to avoid swimming until the piercing has fully healed and avoid touching it with dirty hands. Additionally, don’t remove jewelry once it has been inserted, as this can increase the risk of infection or cause scarring of the tissue.
Q: How do I know if my septum is pierced wrong?
A: If the piercing looks crooked or the jewelry doesn’t fit correctly, then it’s likely that it was not pierced correctly. In this case, contact your piercer to discuss potential solutions. Additionally, if you experience any signs of infection or irritation from your septum piercing, contact your piercer or healthcare provider for advice.
Q: Is it OK to heal the septum flipped up?
A: It is not recommended to heal the septum flipped up as this can increase the risk of infection. Additionally, it can also be uncomfortable and difficult to wear jewelry with a flipped-up piercing. Therefore, it is best to keep your piercing in its natural position while healing.
Q: Is it hard to maintain a septum piercing?
A: Maintaining a septum piercing is not difficult, but it does require commitment and dedication. Cleaning your piercing regularly with sterile saline solution or mild soap and water, eating a healthy diet, avoiding swimming until the piercing has fully healed, and changing out the jewelry every one or two months are all important steps to take when caring for a septum piercing. By following these guidelines you can keep your piercing looking great and avoid health complications.
Q: How can I speed up my septum healing?
A: To speed up the healing process for a septum piercing, it is important to clean it regularly with sterile saline solution or mild soap and water, eat a healthy diet, avoid swimming until the piercing has fully healed, and change out the jewelry every one or two months. Additionally, wear loose-fitting clothing during the healing period as this will reduce irritation from friction. By following these guidelines you can ensure that your septum piercing heals properly and stays infection-free.
Q: What does a rejecting septum look like?
A: If a septum piercing is rejected, the jewelry will start to move away from the piercing site and the tissue will appear red and inflamed. Additionally, you may experience itching or discomfort around the area of the piercing. In this case, it is important to contact your piercer or healthcare provider for advice as they may recommend changing out your jewelry to a different size or type.
Q: Can I sleep with my septum flipped up?
A: It is not recommended to sleep with your septum flipped up as this can increase the risk of infection. Additionally, make sure to clean your piercing regularly before going to bed and wear loose-fitting clothing while sleeping. This will help ensure the piercing is healing properly and stays infection-free.
Q: Can I change my septum in 2 weeks?
A: It is not recommended to change out your septum jewelry before the piercing has finished healing, which usually takes 4-8 weeks. If you experience any signs of infection or irritation from your septum piercing it is important to contact your piercer or healthcare provider for advice as they may recommend changing out the jewelry.
Q: How much does a septum piercing hurt on a scale of 1 to 10?
A: Septum piercings generally range from 3-7 on the pain scale, depending on your individual tolerance for pain. Additionally, it is important to remember that everyone experiences pain differently and the amount of pain you experience may vary. If you are worried about potential discomfort during the piercing process, be sure to discuss this with your practitioner beforehand.