Piercing bumps and keloids have a lot of similarities, but they can cause different levels of distress. People with piercing bumps typically experience friction pain, while those with keloids end up with more extreme scarring and discoloration.
So how do you tell the difference between a piercing bump vs. keloid scars? Knowing what kind of skin reaction you have after getting pierced can be tricky if you don’t know the right signs to look for.
In this article, I’m going to break down the key differences between these two related conditions and provide helpful tips for anyone who recently got a body piercing to determine whether or not they might have a bump or a keloid.
What is a keloid scar?
Keloid scars are raised bumps caused by scar tissue. They usually appear after surgery or trauma. The bump grows slowly over time and can become painful.
There are two types of keloid scars: Pierced Bumps and Keloids. Piercing Bumps occur after piercing such as earrings, nose rings, etc. Keloids develop from skin irritation due to friction, rubbing, or pressure.
Keloids and piercing bumps can both form after a new piercing. Both types of keloids can cause pain and discomfort. Learn about the differences between piercing bumps and keloids and available treatment options.
What causes keloids? And why does it matter?
Keloids are a type of scarring that can occur at the site of a piercing, but what causes them? While many people think that keloids are caused by an infection or allergic reaction to the piercing, this is not typically the case.
Keloids are usually caused by an overgrowth of cells in at the wound site. This extra growth of cells results in bumpy or raised scar tissue that appears to expand beyond the boundaries of the original piercing wound. It’s important to know why keloids form as understanding their cause can help you prevent them from happening in the first place!
To start with, it’s important to recognize that genetics plays a role in your risk of developing a keloid. If you come from a family known for skin that scars easily and heavily, then you may be more prone to forming a keloid than someone without this inherited trait. In addition, repeated trauma or injury to your piercings increases your risk of developing a keloid. Factors such as stress, age, and hormonal changes can also affect how quickly your skin heals and how much scar tissue will form at a piercing wound site. Knowing what causes keloids is helpful in identifying ways you can reduce your chances of developing one and avoid having unsightly bumps around your piercings.
What are piercing bumps?
Piercing bumps are small lumps or bumps that can appear around a piercing. They may be visible from the surface of the skin, or they may form deeper within the tissue. Piercing bumps can be caused by a variety of things and vary in severity from benign to potentially dangerous. Common causes include irritation, infection, metal sensitivity, and recently pierced skin being bumped or traumatized.
Piercing bumps are relatively common and not usually a cause for concern. In most cases, they can be treated with simple home remedies such as warm salt water soaks, tea tree oil application, or gentle cleansing with unscented soap or oil-free cleansers designed specifically for piercings. Larger bumps may require more aggressive treatments such as topical corticosteroids or injections of corticosteroids into the affected area.
What causes piercing bumps?
Piercing bumps are typically caused by irritated skin near a piercing site that has been caused by improper healing and sometimes, infection. In many cases, piercings become infected due to poor cleansing practices and picking at the piercing site. Additionally, poor jewelry materials can also cause irritation and bumps.
When piercings begin to heal, a thin layer of bump-like tissue forms around the pierced area called “granulation tissue”. This is normal and nothing to worry about as long as it does not grow excessively or become painful. If the bump becomes too big or starts to hurt, this could be a sign that it is becoming infected and needs medical attention. While some swelling is expected after any body piercing, it should subside with proper care.
Sometimes, piercing bumps can grow into larger bumps. These are called keloids.
What are the symptoms of piercing bumps?
When you have a piercing bump, you may notice swelling, itching, burning, or redness around the piercing. You may feel some tenderness at first, but it shouldn’t last long. Some people may even notice pus coming out of the piercing hole.
Itching is the most common symptom. Other possible symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Burning
- Scabbing
- White spots
These symptoms can vary depending on what kind of piercing you got. For example, if you got a tongue piercing, you may only notice a sore spot where the ring was placed.
How do I prevent piercing bumps?
The best way to prevent piercing bumps is to take proper care of your new body piercings. Be sure to always follow the aftercare instructions that your piercer gives you. Usually, this means cleaning the area with a saline solution or mild soap twice a day and avoiding touching or playing with your piercing.
You should also avoid wearing clothing, jewelry, or sleeping on fabrics that can irritate the piercing during healing. Cotton is usually recommended as the fabric of choice since it’s soft and breathable. But if possible, try to wear loose clothing and avoid tight-fitting or restrictive items until the healing process is complete.
When showering, be sure to keep the wound area dry and wash gently around it, rather than directly over top. It’s also important to keep any skin near the piercing clean and moisturized so it doesn’t dry out and become irritated. This helps improve healing time so that you don’t end up with a piercing bump down the line!
If you notice any signs of infection, contact a medical professional right away.
What happens if I ignore piercing bumps?
Ignoring piercing bumps can lead to bigger problems. The longer you leave them untreated, the worse they could become.
- Infection
- Fever
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Loss of sensation
If you ignore piercing bumps for too long, you could end up having permanent damage to your body.
Treatment for piercing bumps
There are many ways to treat piercing bumps. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment based on your situation. Your doctor may suggest:
- Topical treatments
- Over-the-counter medications
- Surgery
- Home remedies
- Here are some home remedies you can try:
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
- Apply an ice pack to the area.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
- Try applying aloe vera gel to help soothe the area.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat foods high in vitamin C.
- Get enough sleep.
- Get regular exercise.
You should also see your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Increased pain
- Redness
- Bruising
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Severe headache
- Feeling weak
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting
- Other symptoms not listed here
Treatment for keloids
A keloid is a raised scar that grows quickly after getting a cut, burn or other injuries. It usually takes about 6 months for a keloid to form.
Keloids can grow anywhere on the body. They can be painful and unsightly. Keloids can be difficult to treat because they tend to come back.
The first step in treating keloids is to find out why they formed in the first place. You need to know whether the cause was something you did or something that happened to you.
Once you figure this out, you can decide how to treat your keloid. There are several types of treatments available. These include:
- Oral medications
- Topical creams
- Intravenous steroids
- Surgical removal
- Cryotherapy
- Laser Treatment
- Pressure Treatment
- Radio Frequency
