If you enjoy wearing a different kind of jewelry, having a new piercing may be a thrilling experience. But then, if you go to appreciate your jewelry in the mirror and discover a weird lump? It might be a piercing lump or a keloid, both of which are difficult to distinguish.
Discovering a lump, irrespective of the nature of the piercing might be alarming. This is quite reasonable, particularly if you’re new to piercings. We’ve explained the distinctions between piercing bumps and keloids, as well as what to do about each, below to assist you.
Piercing Bump
First and foremost, the word “piercing bump” is not a medical term. It’s a colloquial term for what occurs when you have a puncture wound.. On the other side, a penetrating bump might have several reasons.
A bump is most usually a typical reaction to physical stress. After all, piercings cause skin damage, triggering the body’s natural healing reaction. According to certified dermatologists, it’s identical to what happen when you injure yourself with the kitchen knife. Bump is simply a type of short-term swelling that might feel uneasy and unpleasant when touched.
A lump might indicate that the piercing is contaminated in some situations, particularly if the underlying skin is extremely red or black (based on your skin tone). Ciraldo adds that an infected bump may also discharge pus or blood and acquire a yellow/honey-colored crust.
A keloid is a somewhat less frequent but more dangerous sort of lump. This is a persistently tough and stretchy scar created by the aberrant wound healing. A keloid is different from a regular scar, grows beyond the initial region of harm, making it larger than the wound—in this example, a piercing hole. Furthermore, because keloids can grow indefinitely, they can develop to be quite large.
To keep things in context, keloids contain three times the amount of elastin (a protein that provides the skin texture) as hypertrophic scars or thick elevated scars. They also comprise 20 times the quantity of collagen seen in normal skin tissue. Excess collagen builds up in the piercing area, causing the skin to expand. Itching, burning, and discomfort are all potential keloid signs.
If you’ve had a darker complexion, you may be more prone to the keloids. The same is true if you have an individual or familial history of the keloid development.
If you’re not certain whether you have a piercing bump or a keloid, consider the following three factors: how often it persists, its location on the skin, and how far it expands.
Timing:
A piercing bump is a transient swollen region. To place it in an alternative way, it is not going to last forever. Rather, it would shrink week by week until vanishing (or becoming practically invisible) after six weeks. A keloid, on the contrary, is a persistent bump. It may continue to expand for weeks, months, or years, and this might change gradually or fast.
Lesions:
The lesions are also placed differently in relation to the surface of your skin. W while a piercing bump lies beneath the surface of your skin, this will only grow more visible when the region is handled. However, she points out, keloid forms in front of the skin’s surface, making it plainly visible and felt.
Extend:
Lastly, the “span” of a piercing bump vs. a keloid differs greatly. A piercing bump is usually restricted to the piercing’s real opening; it may even appear as a little flesh-colored ball beneath the earring. A keloid, on the other hand, will most likely expand further than the piercing site as it grows.
If you have a piercing bump that isn’t infected, follow the regular aftercare instructions. This typically involves saline cleansing and letting the piercing rest as much as appropriate. Also, if your piercer gave you any directions, try to follow them.
Based on the piercer and the location of your piercing, the exact process may vary. It is suggested that using scar gel might help, which may be purchased without a prescription at a pharmacy. The gel, which may have a silicone or onion skin basis, can also be used as a preventative strategy, such as before a bump occurs.
If the lump aches or forms a crust, It is recommended to use hydrogen peroxide twice a day in the region. What if things got worse? The lump might be a sign of infection. See a specialist as you may require prescribed oral antibiotics.
Keloid Treatment
Keloids must be treated as soon as their initial signs appear (or they will turn into a hard rock or a lump). “If in-office therapy is started immediately at the first evidence of scar hardening, keloids are significantly easier to cure and keep at bay.
Injections of cortisone
“Regular cortisone injections of varied doses should be used to help straighten them. In-office cortisone shots are modified depending on the thickness and size of the keloid.
Soak In Sea Salt
In general, you should pay attention to your piercer’s instructions to avoid any problems. Sea salt soaks, which any professional piercer would recommend, are designed to drain out any pus and blood, releasing pressure and assisting recovery. They also have a calming effect.
Wash the region at least two times a day with a piercer-advised seawater solution), which is non-scented, antibacterial, and dye-free. If you adhere to that easy procedure, you’ll have a better chance of curing the illness without creating more aggravation.
Silicone Sheets/Gel
Silicone is a crucial gel to employ, according to experts. “Wrap the lesion and skin surrounding it with silicone gel or sheets for at least 24 hours.
Once the scar has cured, gentle massage gives a minor advantage. “As bodily pressure wraps or clothing can assist limit motion in movable regions, minimize movement tugging or strain to the area.” The silicone sheets can also be put on scars that have recovered.
Laser Removal
Laser removal methods can be utilized as directed by your physician if a keloid has formed.
Three “In hypertrophy (thickened) scars and keloids, pulse dye and long-pulsed Nd: YAG lasers decrease aberrant signals to stop the growth of keloidal cells. Treatments, vascular lasers, partial resurfacing lasers, and laser-assisted administration of 5-fluorouracil/corticosteroids can all help to decrease deep or large nodules.
Debulking operations or even radiation may be required in difficult or acute situations. Even if the keloid is debulked through surgery, all of the aforementioned therapies must be continued to keep the keloid at bay or under control.
When To Get Help?
It’s a smart idea to keep an eye on your skin after receiving a piercing of any sort. If the region develops pigmentation (red or darker skin), swelling, discomfort, or scabbing, you should consult a dermatologist very once. If you have a harmless lump that has persisted for more than six weeks, the same applies. It’s possible that the bulge is a keloid, which is simpler to treat and manage if caught early.
Keloids are difficult to remove. If you’re susceptible to them, take these techniques to lower your chances of getting a new one:
To avoid a keloid, you must act soon if the skin surrounding a piercing begins to thicken. Talk with your doctor about using a tension earring after you remove your earring.
Don’t hold your ears unless you’ve had an ear keloid.
If somebody in your family has keloids, get a test done by your dermatologist in a private place before getting any piercings, tattoos, or cosmetic surgery.
If you realize you have keloids and need treatment, make sure your surgeon is aware. Your surgeon would what should use to treat keloids.
Any new piercings or wounds should be treated with extreme caution. Scarring can be reduced by cleansing the pierced area daily.
When you are injured or wounded, use a silicone patch or gel.
Please don’t do that. Unlike a pimple, the bump has no way of efficiently popping out. In fact, causing another wound near the new piercing increases the risk of infection. Specialists, fortunately, recommend a variety of treatment options for keloid scarring, namely non-invasive surgeries to correct the scar.
Sadly, even with surgery, the keloid has a chance of returning. It is recommended to treat the hump with low-dose steroid injections to reduce the area’s oversupply of collagen. Finally, some people try do-it-yourself, at-home therapies such as putting honey or vinegar on the keloid in the hopes of biologically exfoliating the bump. They aren’t as powerful as surgery or injections, so keep that in mind.
What Happens If My Scar Isn’t Cleared?
While keloids and hypertrophic scars do not represent any immediate health risks, they can be bothersome. The enlarged scars might impede your range of motion if they arise in a region where mobility is essential. At last, the option is yours to make.
Is Pus Coming Out of My Piercing Normal?
During the healing phase of a piercing, white or clear discharge – lymph fluid — is completely normal. Only seek medical attention if it appears yellow or green: This is most certainly an infection that needs to be looked at.
