A septum piercing can be an excellent way to express your style and identity. But what do you do when the piercing starts to hurt? Sometimes, when you feel pain on one side of your septum piercing, it can be a sign of a larger issue.
So, it’s essential to know why and when a septum piercing hurts on one side and what you can do to deal with it. Let’s take a closer look at what reasons cause this one side septum piercing and tips to make it more comfortable.
Septum Piercing: In A Nutshell
For those who don’t know, septum piercing is a type of body piercing in the nasal septum, the small cartilage area between the nostrils. This type of nose piercing is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the young generation.
Many young people consider it a unique and attractive body modification form. It is usually done with a small gauge needle and can take about 4 to 8 weeks to heal.
Benefits of Septum Piercing
Now, you may wonder why people do septum piercing. Styling is the most obvious reason. But does it have any other benefits? Let’s see some benefits of septum piercing:
- Nose piercing can help enhance your facial structure.
- Adds an attractive, unique, and stylish look to your body.
- It helps reduce snoring.
- A septum piercing can help you look more confident and express yourself.
Understanding the Anatomy of the Septum
In order to understand why a septum piercing may hurt on one side, you should know the anatomy of the septum. The septum is a thin layer of cartilage and several small structures.
Cartilage is connected to the nasal bone at the top of your nose. This nasal bone ensures the structure and stability of the piercing.
Possible Causes of Septum Piercing One Side Pain
Septum piercing can be painful, and it is common to hurt on one side more than the other. Various factors can cause it. Let’s see what they are:
Placement of the Piercing
Placement is very crucial for nose piercing. If it is not placed in the right spot, it can cause pain and discomfort. In this case, you can feel more pain on one side than the other.
Infection
Infection is a common cause of more pain on one side after a nose piercing. It can be dangerous if you do not treat it timely. It can indicate infection if you feel swelling, redness, or excessive pain at the piercing.
Scar Tissue
Scar tissue forming around the piercing area can cause pain and discomfort. So, scar tissue can also be a reason for pain on one side of your nose piercing.
Allergy
Metal causes an allergic reaction in many people. So, after a nose piercing, you may have an allergic problem, which can cause more pain on one side than the other.
Poor Jewelry Selection
Wearing the wrong type of jewelry can also be a reason for one side pain after septum piercing. Too tight or too loose jewelry might cause you discomfort and pain.
How to Treat One Side Pain After Septum Piercing
If you feel excessive pain on one side of your nose piercing, you should take immediate steps to reduce pain and heal fast.
Let’s see some steps you can take to deal with the pain:
- You have to clean your piercing area regularly. Gently clean the area with a saline solution or mild soap twice daily. Do not use alcohol-based cleaners or hard soaps, which can cause irritation and pain.
- Do not touch the piercing area too often, as it can cause infection on the spot.
- Use a cold compress on the piercing area for about 20 minutes several times daily.
- Contact a physician if the pain becomes intolerable.
Preventing Septum Piercing Pain
As the old saying says, prevention is better than cure; preventing the possible causes of septum piercing is better than post-treatment. Following are some tips on how you can limit the possible pain after a nose piercing:
Choose a Certified Piercer
You should do piercing by a certified, experienced professional piercer who knows the process well. So, they will be able to do piercing in a way that you will have less pain during and after the procedure.
Take Pain Reliever
You should take a pain reliever such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen before doing the piercing procedure. It will help reduce the pain during and after the piercing.
Following Aftercare Instruction
After doing a septum piercing, you must follow all the necessary aftercare instructions properly. Your piercer will tell you what to do and what not to do, and you must obey them. Try to keep the piercing area clean with the right solution prescribed by the piercer.
Avoid Certain Jewelry
Certain types of jewelry might not suit your skin. Avoid cheaper jewelry to prevent irritation and discomfort in the piercing area in the long run.
Final Thoughts
It’s common to have more pain on one side after a septum piercing. But you can reduce it with proper treatment. If the pain becomes intolerable, do not contemplate seeking advice from a licensed doctor.