How to Heal Cartilage Piercing Bumps

Co-authored by Stephanie Anders

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

If you recently got a new piercing, seeing a bump in your cartilage can be a bummer. But don’t worry. They’re actually called granulomas, or “healing bumps,” and they’re pretty common. They’ll usually clear up on their own, but there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process. To help you do it, we’ve answered some of the most common questions you have about how you can heal your cartilage piercing bumps.

Question 1 of 5:

How long does it take for a piercing bump to go away?

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Most piercing bumps disappear by themselves within a few months. You don’t have to see a doctor or seek any kind of medical treatment if your cartilage piercing develops a bump. Just continue to clean and take care of your piercing as instructed by your piercer and the bump will eventually subside on its own!^{[1]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- Most people will see all signs of their piercing bumps go away. For some, it could take a few months and for other it could take up to 2 years. But it’ll likely go away eventually.
- A keloid is scar tissue that can form after a piercing. But unlike granulomas, keloids don’t go away on their own; you usually have to get them medically treated or surgically removed.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 5:

Can I pop a piercing bump?

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While it might be tempting to try this, it's not a good idea. It could bleed a lot and cause an infection. Granulomas can have a high number of blood vessels around them, so if you try to pop or pick at them, they could bleed easily and for a long time.^{[3]
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MedlinePlus
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Go to source} Additionally, you could introduce bacteria that could cause an infection.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Plus, you might end up creating a scar. Your best bet is to either let your piercing bumps heal on their own or see your doctor.
- Professional body piercers emphasize that the fastest way for your piercing to heal and for a piercing bump to go away is to leave it be as much as possible, other than when you clean it.

Question 3 of 5:

How do you treat the bumps (granuloma) at home?

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Granulomas can form when fluid gets trapped beneath your skin. Take a clean cotton pad, gauze, or cloth and soak it some warm water. Press it against the bump and hold it in place for a few minutes to help soothe and release the trapped fluid.^{[5]
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2
Try changing your jewelry. Some jewelry uses metal alloys that contain nickel, which can cause an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis, which can look just like piercing bumps.^{[6]
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DermNet NZ
Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health

Go to source} Swap out your jewelry for some made from a different material to see if that helps.
- You may not even realize that some jewelry has nickel in it!
- If you do have an allergy to metal, you may also have itchiness and a rash around the piercing.

Question 4 of 5:

How can you prevent cartilage piercing bumps?

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1
Choose jewelry that fits properly. Loose and ill-fitting jewelry can move around inside your piercing, which can disturb the cartilage and cause piercing bumps. Go with jewelry that fits snugly into place and doesn’t wiggle around to help prevent damage to the surrounding cartilage.^{[7]
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Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing

Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.}
- If you’re unsure of how to choose proper jewelry, ask a professional piercer. They should be happy to help you choose the perfect jewelry for your new cartilage piercing.
- Additionally, try to avoid wearing earrings with butterfly backs, which are more likely to cause bumps.
2
Avoid bumping or snagging your piercing. Bumps and snags can cause your jewelry to move around, which can lead to granulomas. Try to stay aware of your piercing and do your best to protect it at all times. As tempting as it may be, don't fiddle with it or touch it to reduce your chances of developing a bump.^{[8]
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Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing

Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.}
- Tie long hair back as much as possible (particularly when sleeping) to prevent it from snagging in your piercing jewelry.

Question 5 of 5:

When should I see a doctor for piercing bumps?

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1
See your doctor if the granuloma shows signs of an infection. If your piercing bump is accompanied by extreme pain or if there is blood or pus coming out of the hole, it may be infected. Infections can lead to other more serious complications, so see your doctor right away to address it.^{[9]
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- Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or an antibiotic cream to help treat an infection.
2
Get medical attention for severe cases to prevent complications. If you have a lot of bumps that cover a wide area of your cartilage, see your doctor. They’ll examine you to make sure there isn’t an underlying condition affecting you and may prescribe drugs such as antibiotics, antimalarials, or other drugs used to prevent serious immune system reactions.^{[10]
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- Studies have shown that medications used to treat malaria can be an effective treatment for some people for granulomas.^{[11]
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Question

Why does my cartilage piercing have a bump?

Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.

Stephanie Anders

Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing

Expert Answer

It could be irritation from bumping your piercing or you may be wearing improper jewelry.

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Question

Do irritation bumps go away?

Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.

Stephanie Anders

Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing

Expert Answer

The bumps may disappear during the day if you leave your piercing alone and don't irritate it any further.

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If your piercing is new, be sure clean it gently with soap and water at least twice a day to help prevent infections.^{[12]
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