Avoid touching the piercing with your hands. Bacteria is present on your hands and will infect your nose piercing. Do not allow others to touch your piercing.
Wash the nostril piercing once a day in the shower. Wash your hands in the shower and do not touch any surface other than the piercing. Lather up the hands with a mild liquid soap and water and wash around the piercing. Remove any crusts that have formed from exuding fluids. Rinse the piercing with warm water. Avoid using washcloths or loofahs for they harbor bacteria and snag the piercing.
Take an anti-inflammatory to relieve discomfort and swelling in the nose. Check with your doctor before taking any medication and follow the medication's instructions on the label. Swelling and discomfort is normal in the first few weeks of healing a nostril piercing.
Avoid harsh products on the nostril piercing such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or topical antibiotics. These products dry out the skin around the piercing, delay healing or cut off the oxygen to the wound. Ask your piercer for a list of products to avoid if a list is not provided on your aftercare sheet.
Visit the piercing shop during your healing period to determine when the jewelry can be changed. Never attempt to change your own jewelry before the healing period is finished. Small or inappropriate jewelry results in the jewelry embedding into the nostril or causes an allergic reaction.