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Original poster

How to remove a nostril piercing

27 replies

nevertrustanyoneagain · 21/05/2025 23:02

Help please.
I got my nostril pierced about six weeks ago. I have an mri scheduled for tomorrow and bought clear plastic retainers in anticipation

My DS and I have been trying all evening to remove it and put in the plastic but we can’t get it out. I now have a swollen lump around it which is making it harder and really sore and it’s starting to ooze.

I really need the mri which is scheduled on my cervical spine due to arm numbness following an injury.

any suggestions? I remember the piercer screwed it in. We have tried twisting it and pulling it apart. It’s a flat circle in the nostril and a moon flat on the outside. It’s too sore for the pliers my DH wants to stick up there.

I am going to try ringing the piercer in the morning but can’t get there as I have to go to work. Scan is early afternoon but an hour away.

OP posts:
BeJollyEagle · 21/05/2025 23:07

Can you post a picture of your nose and a pic of the piercing.

HappiestSleeping · 21/05/2025 23:07

The ones I have seen are studs on the outside, and are attached to a straight shat that goes through your nose, then bends to a right angle. Getting it out will require you to know which way the bend goes.

C080889 · 21/05/2025 23:09

Lift it up slightly and push it to the side it should coil out. You may have to try various sides that you push it as its sort of corkscrewed in. A good push and it will come out. I panicked before taking mine out just be firm.

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Beauty
NowIveSeenEverything · 21/05/2025 23:09

The moon unscrews lefty loosey, you need the pliers inside the nostril to hold the base in place. The piercer will remove it no problem, I'd suggest you sort some flexi time at work and get it done ASAP tomorrow.

ninjahamster · 21/05/2025 23:10

My first nose stud was an “L” shaped one so I had to pull it down and then pull it out. There’s a bit of a knack, it gets much easier.

Original poster
nevertrustanyoneagain · 21/05/2025 23:17

Photo. It’s definitely not an L shape in side. It’s a flat circle inside.

Sensitive content
How to remove a nostril piercing
OP posts:
ninjahamster · 21/05/2025 23:23

nevertrustanyoneagain · 21/05/2025 23:17

Photo. It’s definitely not an L shape in side. It’s a flat circle inside.

Hmm strange. I can’t see a photo but mine are either l shaped, kind of hooked shaoed or a ball that you just have to twist and pull.

Wowzel · 21/05/2025 23:25

I've got a flat circle one

The ball twists to the left, you might need to hold with pliers inside

Ahsheeit · 21/05/2025 23:25

Sounds like a labret stud. The shaft will be put through the hole from the inside out, and you unscrew the outer bit. Use your thumb to push from the inside.

CrowLeftOfTheMurder · 21/05/2025 23:31

If its a flat disc inside your nose its a labret type stud. You can get push pin fit ones but that would just pull out. It must be a screw on type. You can get them with both internal and external threads. The post part is in the piercing hole and whatever ball or decoration sits on the outside of your nose should literally unscrew. They are pretty tricky though. Try holding the flat bit inside your nostril still with tweezers then you'll need to unscrew whatever sits on the outside. If you have a look on crazy factory online at labret studs you'll see the different types of stud. It'll be sore for a bit after pulling at it but if you get it back in and keep using cleaning fluid It'll be fine.

Yellowcakestand · 21/05/2025 23:31

Hold the flat inside bit and twist the moon, the thread will be that end

faerietales · 21/05/2025 23:32

Is it a post with a gem screwed into the top, or is it a post with the back screwed on?

Either way you need to hold one end firmly while someone twists the other. They can be really fiddly so I’d get your piercer to do it for you.

glittercunt · 21/05/2025 23:37

Get a pair of latex/latex free surgical type gloves. Use clean tissue to ensure the inside of the nostril is dry. Thumb inside the nostril gently holding the disk into the skin on that side, first two fingers on same hand on the outside of the nostril gently pushing the other way, and use the other hand to carefully unscrew it anticlockwise.

I'm covered in piercings and frequently have to do similar to this when the fittings get too tight.

OP posts:
StarlightLady · 22/05/2025 04:58

If you go for your scan (or better still, contact them in advance) and explain, they will probably be able to cover it so it does not have to be removed.

Ghost92 · 22/05/2025 05:10

I had this the other week when I changed my piercing for the first time. It was really difficult, my nose was so sore then I saw this method on TikTok.
Do you have any latex gloves or something similar? They help you get a better grip. If so put some on and gently press inside your nose against the flat disc and push upwards so the bar is poking out of your nose a bit more so you can see better. Then take a pair of tweezers and try to unscrew it using those. It worked really well for me, I hope it does for you too. Good luck!

Sunnysidegold · 22/05/2025 06:01

@StarlightLady it's an MRI scan which relies on a strong magnetic field. You absolutely cannot have any metal in your body.

Maybe ice it now to bring down the swelling? I have that style of stud in my ear and managed to unscrew it lefty loosely. You might need to take time out of work to get it removed at the piercers. Or do you know someone who has a lot of piercings like the poster above? They might be more experienced at unscrewing them

Original poster
nevertrustanyoneagain · 22/05/2025 09:26

We have tried many methods and it is now swollen and bleeding.

I phoned the mri department who asked me to check with a magnet. I have and it doesn’t appear to be magnetic.

I am going to contact the piercing shop when they open at 10to see if they can confirm what it is made off. It is now embedded weeping and bleeding and too sore and messy to be removed now.

looks likes scan could potentially go ahead🫣

OP posts:
Bloodythorns · 22/05/2025 09:31

My DC has a nasal piercing and had this happen several times, she needs regular brain MRIs. She's called into any piercing place beforehand and they've removed it for her, or is that's not been possible to sort, she's been scanned with it in. It's not been a problem.

Tbrh · 22/05/2025 09:43

Have a shower, the steam should loosen it, but definitely contact the piercers. I've never seen a nose ring like that, mine all have hook ends

C080889 · 22/05/2025 09:46

It looks like it could be infected might be worth getting it looked at.

C080889 · 22/05/2025 09:47

And a keloid scar forming.

NowYouListenToMeFella · 22/05/2025 11:23

I had an MRI cervical last week and was made take out all piercings in my ear. The radiographer will more than likely make you take it out. Any luck?

I had a very fun evening trying to get my rook piercing back in. Hope the MRI goes well.

SpinningTops · 22/05/2025 11:33

C080889 · 22/05/2025 09:47

And a keloid scar forming.

It won’t be a keloid scar, they are extremely rare. It will be swollen and may develop a nasty irritation bump which will go with time.

YourOnMute · 22/05/2025 11:40

Is this a new piercing? Because I'd avoid that type in my nose...I'm quite clumsy and find fiddly bits difficult. I'd always go for the L shape.
My daughter had a corkscrew one and we found that difficult.
Definitely the piercer should get them out for you.