Why Does My Piercing Hurt?

If you've ever asked yourself, “Why does my piercing hurt?” or “Does a nose piercing hurt?”, you're definitely not the first person to wonder! The pain associated with piercings is a common concern for many, whether it's a fresh ear piercing, a nose ring, or a more unusual body piercing.

I thought the same thing when I first got my ears pierced. My lobe piercing required three attempts—my earlobe kept closing up, forcing me to return again and again, making me a regular at the piercing studio. Haha! I also kept asking the piercer: Why does it hurt? How long is normal for the pain to last? This article will break down all these questions for you, providing you with peace of mind.

Does Getting Your Ears Pierced Hurt? 

My take is, of course! It was just that brief moment, since I only tried a lobe piercing! My friends have different opinions too—it really depends on you! You can ask the piercer and see if you can handle it yourself!

However, if you experience only mild discomfort immediately after getting pierced but the pain gradually intensifies later on, you may have developed an infection, swelling, or other complications. Please seek medical attention promptly.

Common Causes of Piercing

It's actually quite common for people to experience pain after getting a piercing. The main reasons for this are: First, your body needs time to heal from the piercing. It makes a small cut in your skin or cartilage, and it takes time to heal. Second, your body might be irritated by friction or by pressure from sleeping or wearing tight clothing. Third, infection or allergic reactions. If you don't take care of your jewelry properly or if you're allergic to the materials, you could get redness, swelling, and increased pain. The sensitivity of the piercing location is also important. Parts of the body, like the nose or lips, have more nerves and are more sensitive than the earlobe.

Does piercing jewelry hurt after being replaced?

Are you feeling a little sore after wearing new jewelry? Don't worry—it's normal! It's similar to how your heels or toes might feel a little sore when you first get new shoes. The same is true when you change your piercing jewelry. New piercing jewelry might look a little different from your old pieces, and your body might need some time to adjust. The soreness or tingling usually goes away within a few days. But if the pain is severe, and the area is red and swollen, or has pus, be careful. You should see a professional piercer as soon as possible.

Healed Piercing Hurts: Why Does My Piercing Hurt After Years?

You may be wondering, "Why does my piercing hurt after years?" or "Why does my piercing hurt even though it's healed?" Piercings that have been healed for years can still become painful for various reasons. For example, the piercing might have become irritated due to changes in lifestyle or hygiene, such as sleeping on the side of the piercing or using harsh skincare products near it.

If your healed piercing hurts after years of comfort, it could also be due to a condition called piercing rejection, where the body starts to push the jewelry out. This is more common with piercings that go through cartilage, such as my cartilage piercing hurts or daith piercing hurts when I smile. Another possibility is the piercing becoming infected or inflamed due to trauma or bacteria.

Why Does My Piercing Hurt When I Smile or Kiss?

Piercings can hurt when you smile or kiss because these actions pull on the skin around the piercing, which can cause tension in the healing area. This is especially common with piercings on the lips or nose. This is usually normal. You don't need to worry unless the pain is constant, the area is very red and swollen, or pus develops.

Piercing Pain After Healing

If the pierced area still hurts after it has healed, there are a few possible reasons why: maybe you're wearing jewelry made of the wrong materials, there's friction or pressure on the area, or there's a little bit of swelling left. If the pain doesn't go away and you also have redness, swelling, or discharge, see a professional piercer or doctor right away.

Managing Piercing Pain

If you're experiencing piercing pain, here are some tips to consider:
Avoid changing jewelry too soon—give your piercing ample time to heal before replacing jewelry. Also, steer clear of low-quality accessories.
Gently clean the area — Clean the piercing site daily with saline solution and avoid touching it with dirty hands.
Avoid overusing products — Exercise caution when applying hairspray, lotions, or perfumes near the piercing site.
Consult a professional — If pain persists or worsens, seek advice immediately from your piercer or a medical professional.