How long does it take for a nose piercing infection to go away with sea salt soaks?
Patient: I got my nose pierced about 5 weeks ago and it was perfectly fine, producing no crusties at all, wasn t hurting, and i thought it was healed so i decided it was time to change it since i really didn t like the stud. I had my piercer change out my jewelry for a hoop i had bought at a store that sells lots of body jewelry. Two days later, I have a smallish, red bump right above my piercing with tenderness around my nostril. I don t know the material of the hoop but I am not allergic to anything but mosquitos so it can t be that. I tried a hot sea salt soaks today and it reduced the redness and tenderness but now it s forming green crusties around the piercing. So here are my two questions: 1. Is that good that i m forming green crusties after the sea salt soak since maybe it s maybe pushing the infection out or is that making it worse? 2. How long does it take for a nose piercing infection to go away with sea salt soaks? Doctor: Hi,  No, the green discharge can imply that the infection is unfortunately worsening.  There is no specific time interval that it may take for an area to heal with the soaks though it normally takes 4 to 7 days. If there is no improvement or any worsening then you may need a course of topical or oral antibiotics.  While an infection is present, the foreign object or jewellery, that is the cause of the infection, may need to be removed till everything is improved.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Regards, Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician