Piercing Bump Vs. Keloid: How To Tell The Difference And What To Do

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Medical News TodaySubscribePiercing bump vs. keloid: How to tell the difference

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Sasha Santhakumar — Updated on April 22, 2025

Piercing bumps
Keloids
Comparison
Piercing bump treatment
Keloid treatment
Other causes
Contacting a doctor
FAQ
Summary

Hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars can look similar. However, there are various ways to differentiate them.

Skin changes can occur at the site of piercings.

Knowing how to tell the difference between hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars can help with receiving the right treatment and knowing when to contact a doctor.

Read on to learn more about what piercing bumps and keloids are, how to tell the difference, treatment options, and more.

What are hypertrophic piercing bumps?

Hypertrophic piercing bumps, or hypertrophic scars, are small pink or red lumps that can appear after a piercing. The bump usually only affects the area where the piercing happens.

Hypertrophic piercing bumps are common, and usually occur weeks after the piercing. They are usually:

flat or slightly raised
uncomfortable or itchy
occurring within weeks of the piercing

»Learn more:How do you get rid of keloids?

What are keloids?

A keloid is a raised scar that occurs as a result of trauma or injury to the skin. Sometimes, this type of scar may appear after a piercing.

A keloid forms due to an overgrowth of fibrous tissue. In response to injury, cells in the skin — called fibroblasts — produce excessive collagen, which leads to the development of a keloid.

Keloids can take 3 to 12 months to develop after the original injury. They start as raised scars that can be pink, red, or darker than the skin tone, and can become darker over time.

Earlobe keloid scars are likely to be round, oval, or oblong. They can continue to grow over time — either quickly or slowly — and can become very large.

The texture of keloids can differ. They can feel soft and doughy or hard and rubbery. Other symptoms that a person with a keloid scar may experience include:

pain
itchiness
tenderness

How to tell the difference between hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars

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Illustration By Diego Sabogal

Initially, keloids and piercing bumps can look similar. However, over time, differences will emerge.

The following table shows some of the key differences between these skin changes:

Piercing bump	Keloid
Location	Around the piercing site	Around the piercing site but can extend beyond it
Formation	Within weeks after a piercing	3 to 12 months after piercing
Size	Varies, but after forming, it does not grow bigger	May start small and grow bigger over weeks, months, or years
Color	Pink or red	Varies, but it can become darker over time

Treatment for piercing bumps

Piercing bumps are part of the body’s natural response to injury, and they may resolve on their own.

However, people can take steps to keep the area clean, prevent infection, and allow the piercing to heal. These include:

keeping piercing jewelry in, without changing or removing it, for at least 6 weeks
washing the hands before touching the piercing
washing the piercing with a saline solution or gentle soap and water once a day
patting the area dry with a clean cotton pad after bathing or showering and avoiding using a towel, which can introduce bacteria

Some general guidance is to avoid using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the piercing area as it can slow healing.

Treatment for keloids

Various treatment options are available for keloids. The appropriate treatment option can depend on several factors, including the type and size of the keloid.

Treatment options include:

Corticosteroids: This type of medication can help shrink the keloid. Around 50% to 80% of keloids shrink after corticosteroid injection.
Surgery: A specialist can surgically remove the keloid. However, keloids can return, even after surgical removal.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment can help flatten the keloid scar and make it fade.
Cryotherapy: During cryotherapy, a doctor freezes the keloid to soften it and reduce its size. Cryotherapy may not be suitable for people with darker skin.

»Learn more:How do you get rid of keloids?

Other causes

Bumps at the site of a piercing can sometimes be a sign of another condition or health issue.

Infection

The symptoms of an infected piercing include:

soreness
swelling and puffiness
yellow pus coming out of the piercing
nausea and vomiting

»Learn more:How do you get rid of keloids?

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a type of skin rash that occurs when something that touches the skin irritates it. The rash may develop as a result of an allergy, friction, or exposure to something corrosive or toxic.

In piercings, possible causes of contact dermatitis include:

the metal in the jewelry
the metal in the needle or piercing gun
the products that the piercer uses to clean the area

Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:

fluid-filled blisters
hives
a burning or stinging sensation
itching
dryness
discoloration
inflammation
tenderness

The best way to avoid a jewelry allergy is to replace the metal with a hypoallergenic one, such as titanium or sterling silver

When to contact a doctor

If a person believes that they have a keloid, they should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. Without treatment, the keloid may continue to grow.

A person should also seek the advice of a healthcare professional if they are experiencing symptoms of an infection.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a piercing bump last?

Piercing bumps can last up to 12 to 24 months. It is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and advice on ways to encourage healing.

Do keloid bumps from piercings go away?

Keloid bumps may stop growing eventually, though some can grow for years. They will not go away without treatment.

Summary

Hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloids are different skin conditions that can occur following a piercing. Piercing bumps tend to appear more quickly and do not grow in size, while keloids take time to form and can continue to grow.

A healthcare professional or dermatologist can advise on the best way to treat keloids. Anyone who believes that they may have a keloid or another condition that may be causing a lump should speak with a healthcare professional.

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How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. (n.d.).https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
Carswell L, et al. (2023). Hypertrophic scarring keloids.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537058/
Keloid and hypertrophic scars: A guide. (2022).https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/keloid-and-hypertrophic-scars-guide
Laviola E. (2024). Common metals that trigger eczema.https://nationaleczema.org/blog/metals-trigger-eczema/
Ludmann P. (2022). Keloid scars: Overview.https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keloids-overview
McGinty S, et al. (2023). Keloid.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507899/
Schleehauf B. (2023). Caring for new piercings.https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
Yoong NKM, et al. (2022). Keloid and hypertrophic scar.https://dermnetnz.org/topics/keloid-and-hypertrophic-scar

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Sasha Santhakumar — Updated on April 22, 2025

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What are hypertrophic piercing bumps?

What are keloids?

How to tell the difference between hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars

Treatment for piercing bumps

Treatment for keloids

Other causes

Infection

Contact dermatitis

When to contact a doctor

Frequently asked questions

How long does a piercing bump last?

Do keloid bumps from piercings go away?

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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