How to Handle a Runny Nose and a New Septum Piercing

There’s nothing worse than getting a brand-new piercing and immediately getting sick after. This is especially the case when it comes to septum piercings. Now that winter is finally here and temperatures are dropping, it’s also. Unfortunately, the time when people start getting sick and runny noses are more common than ever.

Dealing with a runny nose and a new septum piercing is uncomfortable. You may even be wondering how to keep your piercing safe and clean. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered on handling a runny nose and a new septum piercing.

Can I Still Blow My Nose If I Just Got My Septum Pierced?

Yes, of course, you can still blow your nose! That snot has got to go somewhere, and a tissue is appropriate. The key to using a tissue to blow your nose with a new septum piercing is to be as gentle as possible when applying the tissue.

You don’t need to press down hard on your nostrils and blow. Simply press the tissue to your nose and blow gently into the tissue. Your nose will also be swollen from the new piercing, so you likely won’t want to press too hard anyway. You can also lightly dab your tissue on your nostril and away. Make sure you wash your hands before and after, too. This will help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

It’s best to avoid moisturizing tissues with a new piercing because you don’t want those harsh chemicals anywhere near the healing fistula. However, if you have a healed septum piercing, you can use the tissues with lotion or moisturizing, as both are more gentle for your nose.

How To Keep Your New Septum Piercing Clean with a Runny Nose

Getting a new septum piercing means following your piercer's aftercare instructions. This applies whether or not you have a runny nose. However, if you do, you’ll want to keep the new piercing as clean as possible.

To do this, buy a saline spray, like the kind made by NeilMed, and spray your septum piercing twice daily. You can also use a wet Q-tip to help clean off any crusties or boogers around the jewelry. Ensure you wash your hands before putting them up your nose, though, and then rewash them afterward.

You don’t want to over-cleanse, as this can dry out your nose. Plus, the snot from the runny nose adds the necessary moisture to avoid a dry nose.

Steam Baths & Decongestants

You also want your body to rest as much as possible. In addition to healing your illness or runny nose, your body also tries to heal the piercing. This means you need proper sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping due to congestion, try taking some decongestants with pain relief. The pain relief will help with any fever you may have and any tenderness at the site of the new piercing.

In addition to taking over-the-counter medication, you can also take a steamy bath or shower to help loosen the mucus. Steam baths are also beneficial for the hardened mucus around your jewelry, as the steam helps loosen it and makes it easier to clean. To aid the process, you should time cleaning around when you take steam showers or baths.

What to Expect From the Healing Process

It’s important to have proper expectations about the healing process and what to expect if you have a runny nose and a new septum piercing. While it would typically take three to five months to heal completely, it can take longer for a septum piercing irritated due to a runny nose.

While it may seem like a pain, it’s not the end of the world if you catch a cold or flu going around right when you get a new septum piercing. It may just complicate or prolong the healing process. As always, if it doesn’t feel right once you’re healed from your runny nose, visit your piercer to have them check on how it’s healing.