Why Does My Nose Piercing Smell: How To Stop

Septum piercings can sometimes emit an unpleasant odor, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for the person wearing the piercing. There are several reasons why this may happen:

  1. Bacteria buildup: The most common reason for a smelly septum piercing is a buildup of bacteria around the piercing. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, so the area around your piercing is a perfect breeding ground. This can result in a foul smell emanating from the piercing.
  2. Poor hygiene: Another reason for a smelly septum piercing is poor hygiene. If you don’t clean your piercing regularly, dead skin cells, dirt, and oil can accumulate around the piercing, leading to a foul odor.
  3. Infection: In rare cases, a smelly septum piercing could be a sign of an infection. If you notice redness, swelling, or discharge around the piercing, it’s important to see a doctor or piercing professional right away.

To prevent your septum piercing from smelling, make sure to clean it regularly with a saline solution or a piercing aftercare product. Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands, and avoid using harsh chemicals or fragrances on or around the piercing. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention immediately.

How Do I Stop My Septum From Smelling?

The majority of persons who have septum piercings eventually develop septal funk. It’s a very normal process that comes with the territory when the body is recovering. The easiest strategy to get rid of and avoid that odd septum-piercing scent is to keep a regular cleaning plan.

1. Routine Wash 

You should routinely wash the damaged region with warm water and a clear glycerin soap while your septum piercing is still healing. You might have received an antibacterial soap from your body piercer in order to avoid an infection. Additionally, this antimicrobial soap will aid in avoiding septum funk. Follow the piercer’s instructions for using the antibacterial soap.

2. Use Antiseptic Soap

If your artist did not provide you with antiseptic soap, you can assist prevent any infections that can result in an offensive odour by adding a tiny amount of sea salt to your warm, soapy water solution.

3. How To Clean It

Use a q-tip or cotton swab with warm soapy water to clean the jewellery itself. If the septum piercing has not yet healed, refrain from taking your jewellery off. If you do, there’s a chance the hole will close, and you might need to return to the studio to have your septum pierced once more.

4. Move The Jewellery 

Rotate your septum piercing in both directions and clean as much of the surface as you can without taking it out. You should concentrate on the region that usually lies inside your septal canal.

When your septum piercing is fully healed and the odour still persists, take off the jewellery and bathe it in soapy water after giving it a scrub. Consider investing in a jewellery cleaning that is compatible with the material of your piercing to really get rid of the smell.

How Long Does The Septum Smell Last?

The duration of septum funk could be the same as the healing time required for your septum piercing. The healing process for most septum piercings takes two to three months. Natural sebum production occurs during the healing process. It’s possible that the offensive smell will endure as long as sebum and dead skin cells are still being created.

Individual differences affect how long a septum piercing takes to heal. Some people assert that their piercings heal in just one week and never hurt or smell. The recovery process for some people may take longer than three months. Washing and caring for your piercing on a daily basis will speed up the healing process. Nothing is worse than a piercing that is infected!

You should speak with your body piercer if your septum piercing hasn’t healed after three months, is uncomfortable to touch, and still stinks. Your septum can be infected and require treatment with a topical antibiotic.

A septum piercing that smells strangely and is painful and red is a sure sign of an infection. the microbe

Choosing The Right Septum Ring Materials

For fresh piercings, it is best to steer clear of inexpensive materials like coated metals. These subpar piercings are known to result in pain, inflammation, and infections.

Poor-quality jewellery eventually loses its coating, exposing the basic metal alloy, which could have a negative impact on the healing of your wound. Additionally, the coating’s broken-off parts may become stuck in your septum piercing, increasing pain and increasing the risk of infection.

Although organic materials like wood or bamboo are typically thought to be odourless, they are permeable and challenging to clean. Another material that doesn’t accumulate odours and is simple to clean as glass.

Although porous, silicon piercings often filter out offensive odours. To avoid any odour buildup, silicone piercings should be cleaned more frequently. 

All of the piercing materials mentioned above are rarely used in starting piercings, which is unfortunate because they make excellent possibilities once your septum piercing has healed to the point where you feel confident switching out your jewellery without worrying about the septum hole closing.

You should stay away from using sterling silver for your septum piercing at all costs. Any body piercing should be avoided since sterling silver easily oxidises.

Your unhealed septum may have severe reactions when silver oxidises and rusts. Additionally, a soft metal, this substance is easily scratched.

Sterling silver flakes that peel off when scratched have the potential to get stuck in your septum. This is not only challenging to clean, but it also invites bacterial contamination.

A low-carbon surgical stainless steel is the ideal choice for your new septum piercing. Stainless steel is a fantastic choice for your new septum piercing since it has antibacterial properties that are commonly used in the medical industry.

Stainless steel still contains reactive alloys, but the alloys are encased by an electroplating chemical process, so it isn’t a concern. Another plus is that stainless steel is hypoallergenic!

Other safe options for septum-piercing materials that won’t carry around a nasty smell include platinum, 14k gold, titanium, and niobium. Titanium is probably the most common metal used in piercings. It is hypoallergenic, pure, and affordable.

Niobium is incredibly similar to titanium, but a bit heavier and more expensive. Niobium and titanium can both be anodized with a colour of your choice.

The most expensive and hypoallergenic materials are platinum and 14-karat gold. Since 14k gold is prone to scratching, expert maintenance will occasionally be required.

Avoid using any 14k white gold that contains nickel on fresh piercings as it can have unfavourable reactions and result in offensive odours.

How To Prevent A Nose Piercing Smell From Recurring

If you follow the above-given steps routinely, the smell should not reoccur. If the smell still persists, try cleaning your jewellery with tea tree oil. This should help with getting rid of any remaining orders. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Is It Normal For Piercings To Smell?

Yes. It is quite normal for piercing to smell and most of the time you just need a thorough cleaning to get rid of the smell. However, if redness, swelling, or oozing puss accompanies the smell, it could be a sign of infection. 

Q2. Can People Smell My Nose Ring?

No. Most of the time a piercing smell is something that only you experience. As it is so close to your nose. 

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