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The terms hypergranulation tissue, granuloma, and pyogenic granuloma are all fancy words for benign (noncancerous) types of growths that form on wounds, including piercings. These can simply be a consequence of injuring the body, or they can be caused by excessive trauma, moisture, or infection. If you are taking Accutane or certain birth control pills or other medications, you are at increased risk for this complication. Your piercing may  improve if you lower the dosage or discontinue taking it. Discuss any proposed alterations to your medication with your doctor, and always take it as prescribed.

These bumps are comprised of cells that are a standard part of wound healing, but they overgrow, often quite rapidly. These unsightly lumps are most common on piercings of the navel, outer labia, nostril, and the inside of the lip, though they may also occur elsewhere. In some cases, they can successfully be treated, and the piercing maintained, though healing is suspended while excess granulation tissue is present.  You may need to be patient and try different treatments or combinations of remedies to achieve a satisfactory resolution.

Identifying Hypergranulation Tissue
•    Bump of tissue protrudes above the surface of your skin
•    Looks like raw hamburger, or like the inside of the piercing is on the outside of your body
•    Oozing clear or yellow sticky drainage 
•    Bleeds easily 
•    Usually looks worse than it feels, though it can be tender

What to Do for Hypergranulation Tissue

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Keep the area as dry and free from friction and irritation as possible. This is critical, and often the only way to resolve the issue. Try only one product at a time, and keep a careful watch on the area to monitor your response.

• Aggressive sodium chloride treatment using a hypertonic product (contains more salt than the body’s fluids do), such as Curasalt (20 percent sodium chloride–impregnated gauze), or Hypergel Hypertonic Gel (20 percent hypertonic saline gel). Apply according to the package directions, but be careful to cover only the affected tissue, or you will cause drying and irritation to the healthy skin surrounding the problem.

• Topical application of over-the-counter cortisone cream according to package instructions.

If home treatment doesn’t help your condition or it worsens, visit a doctor. They have a variety of therapeutic options to offer. Excess granulation tissue often recurs, especially when a problem with moisture, jewelry fit, or friction is not resolved. If the condition proves intractable, you will need to abandon the piercing. The bumps ordinarily diminish significantly or entirely disappear when you remove your jewelry.

Disclaimer: These suggestions are not to be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional.