How To Get Rid Of A Keloid: Piercing Bump Healing Guide

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Samantha SassoMarch 14, 2019, 8:15 PMThe aftermath of a piercing should be an uncomplicated experience — but it's not unheard of to get an infection, or for an unidentified fleshy bump to pop up right near your brand-new piercing hole. While the former warrants a visit to the doctor, that bump isn't generally something you should panic about: It's most likely just a harmless keloid.So, what exactly is a keloid? Dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, explains that it's an area of irregular fibrous tissue that usually forms at the site of a scar or injury, which includes piercings. Not sure you have one? While your physician or dermatologist can tell you definitively what the bump is, if it looks like an angry pimple on the surface of the skin with scar-tissue texture, then congrats, you've got a keloid! But your cute new nose or lobe piercing doesn't have to be plagued by the bump forever. With the help of a medical professional, you can have it safely removed.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENTRemember: This is not a pimple, so please don't pop it like one. Since it's not actually acne, there's nothing to squeeze out of the bump. In fact, doing so could potentially cause an infection, which is much worse than some overgrown scar tissue. Instead, Dr. Marmur suggests several different removal methods for keloids, including non-invasive surgery that can remove the growth. Unfortunately, even with this method, there's a possibility the keloid will return. In that case, Dr. Marmur suggests an alternative option: low-dose steroid injections that can shrink the overproduction of collagen in the area that triggered the keloid to form in the first place.Not into either of those options? Concocting your own at-home remedy is possible with a mix of honey and vinegar, but chemically exfoliating the bump away is even less of a sure thing. Ultimately, the choice is up to you — as long as you get a medical professional opinion first, of course.Got a question about your body piercing? Leave us a comment below!AdvertisementADVERTISEMENTRelated StoriesThe Pro Guide To Cleaning Your Nose PiercingThe "Vertical Piercing" Is L.A.'s Newest Trend14 Ways To Wear A Constellation Piercing Skin Care14 Niacinamide Skincare Products To Try For Clearer, Brighter Skinby Karina HoshikawaBeautyEverything You Ever Wanted To Know About LED Skin Wands — & The B...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. If, like me, your skincareby Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyThe Little-Known Side Effect Of Masseter Botox I Didn’t ExpectI can pinpoint the exact moment I knew I had to do something about my jaw pain. It was my birthday, and a friend cracked a joke so good that half the by Jacqueline KilikitaAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTMercadoThe Milk & Rose Bath Collection We’re Buying Ourselves This Valen...Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or figuring out wth to do with that situationship, Valentine’s Day invites us to reflect on how we’ve been by Raquel ReichardBeautyThe Ordinary’s New Milky Moisturizer Is For Everyone, But My Dry ...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Having combination skiby Jacqueline KilikitaSkin CareThe Best Moisturizers To Quench Thirsty Dry Skinby Rachel KrauseBeauty StudioEvery Dermatologist I Know Swears By La Roche-Posay, Namely These...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. I’m very lucky to have acby Venus WongBeautyWhy Your Skin Looks Dull — & What Will Actually Help, According T...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. One thing that comes with tby Jacqueline KilikitaSkin CareI Tried 8 Peptide Lip Treatments — & The Cheapest Was The WinnerAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Take a closer look at some by Venus WongBeautyThe Lesser-Known Acid Skincare Experts Love For A Year-Round GlowAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. If I were to rifle through by Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyThe Inkey List’s $15 Retinal Serum Is The Only Thing Saving My Du...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Until a few weeks ago, I waby Jacqueline KilikitaBeauty5 New Skincare Trends That’ll Be Everywhere In 2026All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. 2025 was a standout year foby Jacqueline KilikitaAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT