Hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars can look similar, but there are ways to differentiate them. For example, hypertrophic scars only occur at the piercing site whereas keloid scars can continue to grow outside the area.
In this article, we explain what piercing bumps and keloids are and how to tell the difference between the two. We also discuss the treatment options for both, as well as the other conditions that may cause skin issues after getting a piercing.
Piercing bumps are small lumps that can appear after a piercing. They often occur following cartilage piercings, such as nose or upper ear piercings.
What Is A Cartilage Piercing Bump?
Piercing bumps occur when the body’s immune system responds to the wound and initiates the healing response. This response leads to inflammation, which is what causes the bump.
A person may notice bleeding, bruising, and some swelling at the site of the piercing in the first few weeks after getting it. These symptoms are all normal. Other symptoms that are not typically a cause for concern may include:
A keloid is a raised scar that occurs as a result of trauma or injury to the skin. Sometimes, this type of scar may appear after a piercing.
Old Ear Piercing Infection Bump New Zealand, Save 33%
A keloid forms due to an overgrowth of fibrous tissue. In response to injury, cells in the skin — called fibroblasts —
Keloids can take 3–12 months to develop after the original injury. They start as raised scars that can be pink, red, purple, or brown and typically become darker over time. The appearance can depend on the location of the keloid, as well as the person’s skin tone.
Earlobe keloid scars are likely to be round or oval. They can continue to grow over time — either quickly or slowly — and can become very large.
How To Get Rid Of A Piercing Bump, According To Dermatologists
The texture of keloids can differ. They can feel soft and doughy or hard and rubbery. Other symptoms that a person with a keloid scar may experience include:
Piercing bumps are part of the body’s natural response to injury, and they do not typically require treatment. However, people can take steps to keep the area clean, prevent infection, and allow the piercing to heal. These include:
Although the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggest applying rubbing alcohol to the piercing, the general guidance is to avoid doing this as it can slow healing.
Amazon.com: Punktracker 20/40/60pcs Clear Disc Pads No Pull Silicone Piercing Disc For Piercing Bump Treatment
Various treatment options are available for keloids. The appropriate treatment option can depend on several factors, including the type and size of the keloid. Treatment options include:
Bumps at the site of a piercing can sometimes be a sign of another condition or health issue. Some other possible causes include:
Infections in new piercings are quite common, and they can occur if the needle was not sterile or a person is unable to keep the piercing completely clean. The symptoms of an infected piercing include:
Have You Noticed Cartilage Piercing Bumps? Here Are Some Tips To Get Rid Of Them
Contact dermatitis is a type of skin rash that occurs when something that touches the skin irritates it. The rash may develop as a result of an allergy, friction, or exposure to something corrosive or toxic.
Nickel is responsible for most jewelry allergies. Nickel is present in less expensive jewelry, but gold or silver jewelry may contain small amounts of it, so these could also cause a reaction.
The best way to combat a jewelry allergy is to replace the metal with a hypoallergenic one, such as titanium, stainless steel, or 18- or 24-karat gold.
Lumps & Bumps On Piercings
If a person suspects that they have a keloid, they should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. Without treatment, the keloid may continue to grow.
Piercing bumps and keloids are different skin conditions that can occur following a piercing. Piercing bumps tend to appear more quickly and do not grow in size, while keloids take time to form and can continue to grow over time.
A doctor or dermatologist can advise on the best way to treat keloids. Anyone who suspects that they have a keloid or another condition that may be causing a lump should speak with a healthcare provider.
Piercing Bump: 6 Ways To Get Rid Of Cartilage Or Nose Keloid, Blister
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Several treatment options can help remove or shrink keloids, bulbs of scar tissue that form on piercings. This includes procedures at the dermatologist’s office and home remedies. You may also be able to prevent a keloid with prompt action.
The Differance Between Piercing Bumps And Keloids
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue caused by trauma to your skin. They’re common after ear piercings and can form on both the lobe and cartilage of your ear. Keloids can range in color from light pink to dark brown.
As wounds heal, fibrous scar tissue starts to replace old skin tissue. Sometimes your body makes too much scar tissue, leading to keloids. This extra tissue starts to spread out from the original wound, causing a bump or small mass that’s larger than the original piercing.
On the ear, keloids typically begin as small round bumps around the piercing site. Sometimes they develop quickly, but usually they appear several months after you pierce your ear. Your keloid may continue growing slowly for the next few months.
Caring For Your Piercing At Home
Keloids are particularly hard to get rid of. Even when they’re successfully removed, they tend to reappear eventually. Most dermatologists recommend a combination of different treatments for long-lasting results.
Your doctor can surgically remove a keloid from your ear using a scalpel. However, this creates a new wound that will likely develop a keloid as well. When treated with surgery alone, keloids usually come back. That’s why doctors typically recommend other treatments, in addition to surgery, that prevent the keloid from coming back.
If you have surgery to remove an ear keloid, your doctor may recommend wearing a pressure earring after the procedure. These are earrings that place uniform pressure on part of your ear, which can help prevent a keloid from forming after surgery.
How To Get Rid Of A Small Bump I Have On The Inside Of My Piercing Site
However, pressure earrings are also very uncomfortable for most people, and they need to be worn for 16 hours a day for 6 to 12 months.
There are also several nonsurgical treatment options you can try. While you might not be able to completely get rid of a keloid, many of these options can help to significantly shrink it.
Doctors can inject medications directly into your keloid to help shrink it, relieve symptoms, and make it softer. You’ll receive injections every three to four weeks until the keloid improves. This usually takes about four office visits.
Got Really Big Inflamed Hard Lumps Behind Ear Piercing (pictures)
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 50 to 80 percent of keloids shrink after treatment with injections. However, they also note many people experience a reoccurrence within five years.
Cryotherapy treatments freeze the keloid. They work best when combined with other treatments, especially steroid injections. Your doctor may recommend three or more cryotherapy treatments, either before or after receiving your series of steroid injections.
Laser treatments can reduce the size and fade the color of keloids. Like most other treatments, laser therapy is usually done in conjunction with another method.
Bumps Around Ear Piercings: Causes And Treatments
A ligature is a surgical thread that’s tied around the base of larger keloids. Over time, the thread cuts into the keloid and causes it to fall off. You’ll need to have a new ligature tied on every three to four weeks until your keloid falls off.
While there are no clinically proven home remedies that can completely remove keloids, there are a few treatments you can use to reduce their appearance.
Show that silicone gels can improve the texture and fade the color of keloids. One study found that 34 percent of raised scars became significantly flatter after daily application of a silicone gel.
What Is This? It's A Fairly Large, Squishy Bump That First Appeared About 3mo After Getting My 2nds Pierced.
Also show that silicone can help prevent keloid formation, so your doctor might recommend using it after surgery as well. You can buy both silicone gel and silicone gel patches online without a prescription.
One study found that an onion extract gel can reduce the height and symptoms of raised scars. However, it didn’t have much of an effect on the overall appearance of scars.
Keloids are hard to treat. If you’re prone to developing them, follow these tips to reduce your risk of developing a new one:
Amazon.com: Zs 50pcs Silicone Healing Non Pull Piercing Discs For Piercing Bump, Clear Disc Pads Stabilizer Plastic Earring Backs Stopper, 3/7/9mm Earlobe Support Patches (3mm)
Keloids are hard to treat, so it’s best to seek out advice from your doctor. Most people with keloids, either on their ears or elsewhere, respond best to a combination of treatments.
If you know you tend to develop them, there are also steps you can take to try to prevent future keloids from forming. It’s best to consult a dermatologist, who may suggest a combination of several different treatments.
Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed
0 Komentar