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.
Is This A Keloid Or Hypertrophic Scar? What Should I Do Regarding That?
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.
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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
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.
Hypertrophic Scarring And Keloids: Pathomechanisms And Current And Emerging Treatment Strategies
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:
Preventing And Treating Body Piercing Scars
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.
Nose Piercing Bump: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
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 Disc For Hypertrophic Scarring By Sibj's
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.For my first proper blog post, I will be looking at the most common issue that you are likely to experience with your piercings. Due to currently being unable to work due to lockdown, I will be adding images when I am back to work.
I will be keeping it as simple and understandable as possible, starting with how to recognise different bumps, what not to use, and how to help them heal. If, at the end, you are still not sure how to proceed, message me and I will endeavour to help you fix your piercings!
This is the most likely diagnosis. It is caused by your body reacting to the irritation of the foreign body within your skin. To protect itself, collagen is used to cushion any movement, and in the case of hypertrophic scarring, this could be excessive.
How To Get Rid Of Piercing Bumps (and Keep Them Away)
They are generally small, starting soft and getting firmer over time. If the piercing is removed, the lump will almost always disappear. They can be sore, itchy and bleed easily.
While it is possible that you have a keloid, they are incredibly rare. Unless you have a family history of keloids, you can generally assume that you do not have a keloid. It is a term that is used incorrectly most of the time.
Keloids are also due to excessive collagen, but instead of disappearing when the piercing is removed, the are much more likely to be permanent. They can also spread significantly out from the fistula, and keep on growing.
Keloid And Hypertrophic Scarring
While not really a lump or bump, you might well be diagnosed with an infection when you only have an irritated piercing. I will be writing another blog post soon to cover infected piercings, so I will just skim over it here. (Update - my infection blog post is here.)
While it may swell, there will not be a distinct bump. If you believe that you have an infection, you need medical assistance.
First of all, let’s take a look at what not to use and why. There are a lot of home remedies which are ineffective, or possibly dangerous.
My Trendy Cartilage Piercings Will Not Heal. Help!
This is the most common remedy that you will come across. Due to the lack of regulation in oils, you can never be sure how strong the product is. Tea tree can be too harsh for the skin, and due to oil not dissolving in water, it is tricky to weaken.
It can cause burning and allergic reactions, and as the most common bumps form on cartilage piercings, if it gets inside your ear, it can cause hearing loss.
This forms salicylic acid, which can also burn bumps away, but will not fix the underlying issue. There is also a reasonable chance of reactions to this.
Cartilage Piercing Bumps: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention
You will find many examples of these fixing piercings across Instagram, and once again can help bumps, but will not fix the issue. If you look at the pictures posted on social media, you will notice the usually the have put higher quality jewellery into the piercings at the same time as attaching the discs. This is a much better way to help your piercings.
At the end of the day, your piercer is not able to follow you around all day, so you will need to pay attention to your piercing and try to work out what is bothering it. Use these guidelines to help you work it out, remove the irritation and see if it helps your bumps!
Keloids are a lot harder to deal with. If you believe that you have a keloid, which as mentioned above are very rare, you need to consult with a dermatologist. Often, a steroid injection will help, but sometimes this is not enough. You might require keloid removal surgery, so it is best to deal with it sooner rather than later.
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