FAQ

First there are many kinds of piercings bumps. Not all bumps are created equal.

There is your standard piercing bump. ( Over production of tissue on the exterior of the piercing site)

Is it even all the way around? or Is is off to the side?

Even all the way around usually means physical or chemical irritation. Example: The piercing got physically bumped, or it does not like your new shampoo, maybe you have an item of clothing that is hitting it like a hat; what ever the case the body is responding by over producing tissue.

Those kinds of bumps tend to be temporary and will go away with some TLC.

1. remove irritation

2. clean piercing site

3. hot compress ( dry or wet)

* Wet compress the less messy way is to boil tap water or distilled water for 3 to 5 min.

Put in a chamomile tea bag into the hot water. Let cool enough that you are not going to

burn yourself. Apply to piercing. Compress ( re heating tea bag if needed ) for up to 5

minutes.

* Dry compress: There are 2 ways.

1. Hard boil an egg. ( YES we know sounds crazy!) we went with a client to the Dr.s appointment and this is the physicians favorite method. Why you may ask? Well when you hard boil an egg it sterilizes the exterior shell. When its cool enough to hold its at the right temp to hot compress. By the time the egg is cool its been about 5 min. Its like a built in timer. They also liked that it was dry heat.

2. You can also put a clean paper towel over your piercing and apply a heating pad to the area.

The rule of thumb for compressing is about 5 min. 10 if you have time. Why are hot compresses so good!

Well it calls your friends the red blood cells to the area. This is your bodies natural defense system. Hot compresses also loosen and relax tissue. They communicate to your cells " Hey buddy, I got you no need to over react to the situation"

Once you are done compressing gently ( and we mean gently, not like you are popping a zit) apply pressure to the bump it usually goes away after about a week or two. If not we suggest you schedule an appointment with your general practitioner or a dermatologist.

If the Bump is just off to one side you may need to come in for a consult. The piercing angle may need to be accessed.

NOW then there is the bumps we are seeing in very young kids and only kids. And these are bigger , under the skin, red to purple bumps.

The same aftercare as above applies however if you do not see improvement you should go see your general practitioner.

These bumps as far as we have been able to assess as an industry are caused by moisture. Going to bed with wet hair is a big culprit.

To combat this we have clients use alcohol swabs in the crease of the ear where the neck and ear meet. Not directly on the piercings. Or just make a concerted effort to clean and dry behind the ears during healing.

THE EXCEPTION:

We are not Dr.'s if you have anything that is tender and puffy, warm to the touch, extra secretions, Sharp and itchy you should seek out medical attention.

WHEN IN DOUBT HOT COMPRESS and STILL seek medical attention.