It was fine one day and then the very next…Red, irritated, and acting like you've personally insulted it.

If you've ever had your piercing go from fine to irritated, you're not alone. Sometimes even fully healed piercings will act up, and there are a number of reasons why.

Here's what could be happening.

Sleeping On It (Literally)

Maybe it seemed fine all day. But sleeping on your piercing can be a cause of irritation for your piercing, especially for cartilage piercings.

That slight soreness in the morning? An indication your body is not loving the pressure.

If you’re a side sleeper, a travel or piercing pillow may help alleviate irritation and support healing.

Snagging & Catching

It's pretty much unavoidable, piercings seem to have a habit of getting caught on everything.

And while a simple snag may seem harmless, it can cause minor damage in your skin, resulting in swelling, sensitivity or irritation.

If your piercing suddenly flares up, think back. Did it get caught on something recently?

Product Build-Up Around The Area

Foundation, powder and skincare products can build up around your piercing and their accumulation can result in irritation.

In particular, it is a common problem among facial piercings, so be mindful of what you're putting on and near the piercing area.

Hair Product Accumulation And Styling Products

Dry shampoo, hairspray, and conditioner can easily coat your jewellery and the surrounding skin.Over time, this buildup can cause sensitivity or irritation.

If your routine has changed recently, your piercing might be reacting to it.

Fitting And Moving Jewellery

Sometimes the problem can simply be in your jewellery itself.

If your jewellery is  too tight, too long, or moving too much it can disrupt the piercing channel which can lead to irritation as well.

If something feels off, it is best to consult a piercer to check how your piercing and your jewellery are fitting.

How To Deal With An Irritated Piercing?

First of all, don’t panic. Most of the irritation cases settle down pretty quickly with a little patience and care.

Here's what you should do:

• Keep the piercing clean

• Avoid fidgeting with the piercing

• Try to avoid any additional pressure or friction, hats, scarves, bonnets, pillows, headphones- try to avoid things that will put pressure on your piercing.

• Get your jewellery adjusted by a professional piercer, check ups are always free- if you’re worried about your piercing please visit a store so we can advise you and make any necessary adjustments to jewellery. 

Patience is key, most piercings heal well with consistent practice and treatment.

If things aren’t improving or something feels off, our team atMetal Morphosis is always here to help. Sometimes a small adjustment is all it takes to get things back on track.

When In Doubt, Come By!

Still unsure about the cause of irritation? Our piercers can help.

A minor adjustment or jewellery change is usually all that's needed to ease the irritation.

Because your piercing isn't being dramatic…It just needs a little extra care.