Things You Should And Shouldn't Do When Cleaning Nose Piercings

While cleaning your nose piercing using Thompson's method may seem straight forward, always be sure to monitor your piercing to see how it reacts to things. Infinity Body Piercing Inc. claims certain products can cause a reaction or irritation no matter how gentle, so it's best to keep your piercing front of mind and avoid over-cleaning. Stay away from alcohol, peroxide, and antibiotic creams as they are often too harsh for the skin, and don't even think about using cotton swabs or cotton balls to clean the area. As Thompson explained to Refinery29, microfiber or cotton cloths can snag the jewelry, while the fiber in cotton swabs and cotton buds can get stuck in the actual piercing.

According to Healthline, nose piercings can take a few months to heal, at which point you only need to clean the area with saline solution when the piercing is dirty or oily. If you do find yourself with a nose piercing infection of any kind, or you notice bleeding, swelling, or scarring, the NHS suggests contacting your doctor immediately. In rare cases, an infection left untreated can lead to blood poisoning or toxic shock syndrome.