Is it a Keloid or an Irritation Bump

Getting a new piercing is very exciting and an expressive way to flaunt your unique sense of style. But we can't say it comes easy without any challenges or risks. Many face a very common challenge: the development of bumps around the piercing area. The main question is about the type of the rash. It is hard to recognise if the bump is keloid or just caused due to irritation. So, let's talk about it and discuss piercing-related skin conditions and all possible treatments and precautions. 

Keloids in Piercing Jewellery

Keloids can be a big worry for some people, especially if they are prone to getting raised scars. When it comes to piercings, keloids can form around where the jewellery goes in and comes out, causing a problem with how it looks and sometimes even hurting. 

Appearance: Imagine keloids as these raised scars that look a bit shiny and feel thicker than normal. They go beyond the area where the piercing is and may have a different texture. Plus, they can range from a pinkish hue to a dark brown shade.

Causes: When your body is healing after a piercing, sometimes it gets a little too excited and makes too much collagen. This extra collagen causes the raised tissue that we call keloids. It's like your body is going on a collagen-producing spree.

Common Locations: when it comes to those fussy keloids around piercings, they like to hang out in spots where the skin doesn't move around a whole lot. Like the cartilage part of your ear, especially the earlobe and the upper helix. It's like they have their favourite spots to chill.

Treatment: let's talk about tackling those pesky keloids in your piercing jewellery. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but we've got a whole toolbox of tricks to help you out. Surgical removal is one option, but we can also throw in some cool stuff like corticosteroid injections, silicone-based products, and laser therapy to make sure those pesky bumps don't come back. It's like a team effort to keep your piercings looking their best.

Irritation Bumps and Piercing Jewellery

 Let's talk about those annoying bumpy surprises that can pop up after you get a piercing. We're not talking about those scary keloids, though. These are more like troublemakers who like to hang out right where your piercing is, bringing their own unique complications. Here's the lowdown on what you gotta know:

Appearance: Irritation bumps usually show up because something went wrong while your piercing was healing. Bad jewellery, moving it too much, or not taking care of it properly can make these bumps appear.

Causes: Irritation bumps are typically a result of trauma or irritation during the healing process. Factors such as improper jewellery, excessive movement, or inadequate aftercare can contribute to their development.

Common Locations: These bumps can pop up in different places where you got pierced, like your earlobes, cartilage, nostrils, or other body parts.

Treatment: To make irritation bumps better, you need to figure out and fix what caused them. Taking care of your piercing, using good quality body jewellery, and cleaning it gently can help. Depending on how bad it is, you might need creams, special dressings, freezing treatment, or shots with medicine.

Choose High-Quality Jewellery

Pick jewellery crafted from materials that are considered safe for your body, such as surgical stainless steel, titanium, or niobium. These materials are less likely to lead to irritation or unwanted reactions.

Follow Proper Aftercare Procedures

Following the aftercare instructions given by your piercer is essential to reduce the chance of problems. This involves softly cleaning with a saline solution, not moving your jewellery too much, and avoiding harsh cleaning products.

Be Mindful of Jewelry Size and Style:

Make sure you choose jewellery that's right for the type of piercing you have, like the length, thickness, and style. Jewellery that's too tight or too loose can cause problems and make your piercing worse.

Avoid Excessive Movement:

Try not to move or twist your jewellery unnecessarily, especially when it's still healing. Moving it too much can slow down the healing and make irritation bumps more likely to happen.

Monitor for Signs of Complications:

Check your piercings regularly to see if there are any signs of irritation, infection, or strange tissue growth. If you notice these things early, you can get help quickly and prevent the problems from getting worse.  

By picking good quality jewellery, following the right aftercare steps, and paying attention to any issues that come up, you can enjoy your piercing and feel confident. If you're not sure what to do, talk to a professional piercer or dermatologist for help that's customized to you and your body art journey.