Your body secretes a substance called sebum as part of its normal everyday work. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. … Mix sebum with some dead skin cells and a little bit of bacteria, and you get some really potent smelling piercings! The discharge is semi-solid and smells like stinky cheese.
Also to know is, how do you know if your septum is infected?
Your piercing might be infected if:
- the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark (depending on your skin colour)
- there’s blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow.
- you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell.
Your skin secretes a natural oil called sebum which can mix with the dead cells in your piercings and cause a buildup. This buildup serves as a great environment for bacteria to thrive and hence you end up with a foul smell.
Also know, are piercings supposed to smell?
It is totally normal (albeit kind of gross), but it does not mean that you have an infected ear piercing or that you are reacting to your earrings. The smell comes from naturally occurring oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
Does septum smell go away?
How long does the septum smell last? Septum funk may last as long as it takes for your septum piercing to completely heal. Most septum piercings take anywhere from 2-3 months to heal. Sebum is naturally secreted throughout the healing process.
Is Flipping your septum piercing bad?
1. Flip Up Your Septum Jewelry. This means to rotate your septum jewelry up into your nose, so it rests out of sight. This trick is not recommended for new piercings or during healing because it can irritate the tissue, possibly causing damage or tearing, which can lead to infection.
Does a septum piercing affect your sense of smell?
As a general rule of thumb, septum piercings can not affect your breathing and sense of smell. The septum goes through the soft cartilage between your nostrils, and that area contains minimal amounts of nerves.
Why do my gauges smell like death?
The reason your ear gauges smell bad is because they’re sitting in your ear. Your skin sheds almost every hour on the hour and all of those dead skin cells are left sitting on the gauge. Thus the stinky smell. To prevent this, a strict cleaning regiment is needed.
How do you clean a nose ring hole?
Your piercer will recommend a saline rinse to use at least twice per day. You may also consider using your own DIY sea salt rinse, or even tea tree oil if your nose is especially tender. You’ll also want to make sure you leave the original jewelry in place until the piercing heals.
Why does my ear piercing smell like cheese?
“Ear cheese” is a natural part of having pierced ears and it’s caused by a build-up of oil and dead skin cells you’ve shed. … If your piercing is newer, you’re more likely to experience a smell because your body may still be reacting to being punctured.
How do you know if your septum is rejecting?
Symptoms of piercing rejection
- more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
- the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
- the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
- the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
- the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.
How do I know if my septum is healing properly?
It depends on who you ask, but the general rule of thumb is to wait until:
- it’s no longer tender.
- the minimum healing time has passed, usually at least 2 to 3 months.
- it’s no longer weepy or crusty.
Is it normal for a septum piercing to sting?
The level of pain while piercing varies depending on where the piercing is done and the individual’s pain tolerance. Septum piercings can be painful, especially if the septum deviates. It feels like a strong pinch/prick/sting.
