Body piercings are a beautiful form of self-expression, and at Quirksmith, we love seeing how you pair our handcrafted silver jewellery with your unique style. But if you’ve recently gotten a piercing, you may have noticed a small bump forming around it. Don’t panic—this is a common part of the healing process for many people. The key is understanding what’s causing it and how to care for it so your piercing heals beautifully.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the most common piercing bumps and what to do if you notice them.

How to Get Rid of a Helix Piercing Bump

Helix piercings (the cartilage on the upper ear) are among the most popular, but they’re also prone to irritation bumps. These bumps often appear because of:

• Sleeping on the piercing

• Wearing jewellery that puts pressure on the area

• Inconsistent aftercare

What to do:

• Stick to gentle saline soaks twice a day.

• Avoid touching or twisting the jewellery.

• Try to sleep on the opposite side or use a travel pillow to keep pressure off.

• Make sure you’re wearing high-quality, hypoallergenic jewellery (like sterling silver from Quirksmith).

With patience, these bumps usually go away as the piercing heals.

When a Conch Piercing Bump Won’t Go Away

Conch piercings are stunning, but bumps that persist for weeks can be frustrating. Sometimes, these bumps are caused by trauma (like knocking the piercing while combing your hair) or low-quality jewellery.

What to do:

• Continue with saline rinses daily.

• If the bump looks like scar tissue (hard and raised), consider consulting a piercer—it may be a keloid or hypertrophic scar.

• Avoid changing jewellery too soon.

Remember: healing times for conch piercings can stretch from 6–12 months, so patience is key.

Why Is My Tragus Piercing Irritated?

The tragus (the small flap of cartilage in front of your ear canal) is another sensitive spot. Irritation here can feel worse than other piercings because of its location. Common culprits include:

• Earphones pressing against the piercing

• Using harsh cleaning solutions like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide

• Sleeping on the side of the piercing

What to do:

• Switch to over-the-ear headphones or avoid earphones while it heals.

• Use only a sterile saline spray or saltwater solution for cleaning.

• Stick to lightweight jewellery that doesn’t pull at the tragus.

Bump on a New Belly Piercing

A fresh belly button piercing can be especially prone to bumps because of clothing friction, sweat, and bending.

What to do:

• Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritation.

• Clean gently with saline twice daily.

• Avoid swimming in pools or oceans until fully healed.

• Don’t remove the jewellery unless advised by a professional.

Most belly piercing bumps subside with consistent care, but if you notice discharge, swelling, or excessive pain, seek medical advice to rule out infection.

Final Thoughts

Piercing bumps are common and usually nothing to fear—they’re simply your body’s way of reacting during healing. The best approach is patience, proper aftercare, and high-quality jewellery. At Quirksmith, our sterling silver pieces are designed to be gentle on your skin while letting your personality shine through.