If you have a nose piercing and need to get an MRI, you may be wondering if you have to remove your jewelry for the procedure.
The short answer is yes, it is generally recommended that you remove any metal jewelry before an MRI. However, the good news is that with proper aftercare, removing a nose piercing for an MRI should only be a temporary measure and you can put your jewelry back in after the scan is completed.
Why Do Piercings Need to Be Removed for an MRI?
MRIs use very strong magnetic fields to generate images of the inside of the body. The magnetic fields can react with metal objects, causing them to move, heat up, or distort the MRI image. Since most nose piercings are made of metal like stainless steel or titanium, they need to be removed to avoid interference with the MRI and ensure an accurate scan.
- The strong magnetic fields can pull on metal jewelry, causing discomfort or even injury. Loose or unsecured metal objects can become dangerous projectiles during an MRI.
- Metal jewelry may move, heat up, or vibrate during the MRI which can also cause discomfort, burns, or injury.
- Metal piercings can distort the MRI image or obscure the area of interest. While small amounts of metal like titanium may not cause major artifacts, it is best to remove all metal jewelry when possible for the clearest scan.
Removing and Re-Inserting Your Nose Piercing
The process of removing and re-inserting a nose piercing is typically quick, but it does require proper technique and aftercare to avoid irritation or re-piercing the site. Here are some tips for removing and re-inserting your nose jewelry for an MRI:
- Gently wash your hands and use a disinfectant like alcohol to clean the nose piercing and your hands. This helps avoid introducing bacteria when removing or re-inserting the jewelry.
- Most nose piercings are easy to remove and re-insert, however nose screws and captive bead rings can be a bit trickier. See below for help with different nose ring types.
- Have your piercer provide you with an insertion taper or guide to help re-insert nose jewelry after the MRI. This can prevent the piercing from closing up or make re-insertion easier.
- Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to the piercing site before re-insertion to provide more comfort and glide.
- Even with a short wear break, perform normal aftercare like saline solution soaks to keep the piercing clean. Clean 2-3 times a day until any swelling or redness from re-insertion or trauma recedes.
- See your piercer right away if there are any signs of infection like worsening swelling, pus, or bleeding, or if the piercing seems to have started closing up or is unable to remain open after re-inserting initial jewelry.
What Happens If You Can’t Remove a Nose Piercing for an MRI?
In some cases, a nose piercing cannot be removed, either because the piercing has recently been done and needs time to heal before removing jewelry, or because the piercing has started to close up and jewelry cannot be taken out. If a nose piercing cannot be removed for an MRI, the procedure may still be performed but with caution.
- The patient must inform the MRI technician about the piercing before the scan. The material used, exact location in the nose, and when the piercing was done should be provided.
- The patient will need to remain still during the entire MRI procedure. Any movement could cause the piercing to shift or heat up, causing discomfort or injury.
- Unusual sensations like heating, pulling, or stinging around the piercing site should be reported immediately using the emergency call button. The MRI may need to be stopped to check on the piercing before resuming or concluding the scan.
- There may be some image artifact (distortion) in the scans around the piercing site. Titanium piercings typically produce very little artifact but can still mildly obscure the area. The radiologist will be informed of the piercing so this can be accounted for when reading and interpreting MRI results.
- In rare cases, a non-removable nose piercing may prevent an MRI from being performed due to safety concerns. The benefits of the MRI will be weighed against risks of discomfort/injury from the piercing to determine if the scan needs to be rescheduled.
What Piercings Are Safe for MRI Procedures?
The safest piercings for MRIs are those made of implant-grade titanium. Titanium is non-ferromagnetic, meaning it will not be attracted or moved by the strong magnetic fields used during MRI.
- Titanium piercings will not be pulled or dislodged by MRI magnets. They can remain safely in place without shifting or causing discomfort during the scan.
- Titanium typically produces very little artifact (distortion) on MRI images since it is non-magnetic and non-conductive. While its presence may be detected, it should not significantly obscure or interfere with the visibility of surrounding tissues.
- Because titanium is so compatible, piercings made of this material rarely need to be removed even for MRI scans. However, removal of any jewelry when possible is still generally recommended to ensure the clearest image and most accurate diagnosis.
What Happens If You Wear a Nose Ring During an MRI?
Wearing a nose ring during an MRI, especially those not made of titanium, is unsafe and not recommended. Here are the potential issues with wearing a nose ring for an MRI procedure:
- The strong magnetic fields can pull and tug on the nose ring, causing discomfort, irritation, or even injury to the piercing site. The force and speed with which metal objects are attracted to MRI magnets pose risks of trauma even from small pieces of jewelry.
- The nose ring may move, shift or vibrate during the MRI, tearing or widening the piercing tract. This motion can also cause heating of the jewelry, leading to burns.
- Significant image artifact and distortion will occur around the nose ring, obscuring visibility and even distorting the shape of surrounding tissues. This can interfere with an accurate diagnosis, as the area of interest may be obscured or made difficult to visualize.
- There are risks of the nose ring becoming a dangerous projectile due to the strong magnetic forces acting upon it. Even rings, screws and posts not considered loose can potentially be dislodged by MRI magnets and pinch or strike sensitive nose tissues.
- With risks to safety and image quality/accuracy, MRI centers typically require that all metal objects including body jewelry be removed prior to a scan for liability reasons. Failure to comply may result in the procedure being delayed or cancelled.
Does it hurt to take a nose ring out and put it back in?
Removing and re-inserting nose jewelry may cause minor discomfort for some, especially larger gauge rings or right after the initial piercing procedure. However, as long as proper aftercare is used it should not create severe or long-lasting pain.
See your piercer if pain persists or gets worse, as this can indicate irritation, trauma or infection that requires further care. Using a new, sterile taper for re-insertion and keeping jewelry out only as needed for medical procedures can help minimize discomfort during the removal and healing process.
In summary, while nose piercings typically do need to be removed for MRI procedures due to safety concerns, the process of removal and re-insertion is often quick if proper aftercare and technique are followed. However, if there are any issues with putting jewelry back in or signs of trauma or infection, consult your piercer immediately for advice and care. With some patience and precaution, an MRI does not have to mean the end of your nose piercing.