November 08, 2025

How to Clean Septum Piercings? How to Clean an Infected Septum Piercing?

How to Clean Septum Piercings?

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your Septum piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.

Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.

If you prefer a homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture, like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon, if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.

Then, proceed with the following steps to clean your Septum piercing:

Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spray it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.

How to Clean an Infected Septum Piercing?

If your Septum piercing is already infected, you can follow these instructions to clean it and avoid possible re-infection.

Wash your hands.
Prepare to clean the infected Septum piercing with soap and water at least 2 times per day and dry with a paper towel. You can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.
Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spray it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

How to Treat an Infected Septum Piercing?

The good news is that in many cases, you can successfully treat an infected Septum piercing yourself. Here are a few simple steps you can take to treat an infection:

Clean the infected Septum piercing with soap and water at least 2 times per day and dry with a paper towel. You can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
Apply a small amount of over-the-counter antibiotic ointment or cream after you clean the area.
Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and redness.
Use a cold compress to decrease inflammation.
Go to your doctor if the infection is still not improving.

Follow these steps two or three times a day. As a general rule of thumb, follow the above steps for three days. If the infection is still not improving, make an appointment with your doctor to have the site evaluated.

Septum Piercing Aftercare

Be gentle when blowing your nose. Blowing your nose too hard can irritate the piercing site and slow down the healing process. Be gentle when blowing your nose, and avoid using tissues or other materials that may get caught on the jewelry.
Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your Septum piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your Septum piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.