A piercing is a hole in your body, not a scratch. A properly cleaned nostril piercing should take average 3-6 months to fully heal. You shouldn't be changing the jewelry AT ALL, but if its an emergency go ask your local piercer to change it for you. If its a septum piercing, it should take average 2 months to heal. DO NOT put any healing medicines onto your piercing i.e. Neosporin. Source(s): Snakebites, Nostril, Septum, Monroe, 16 Cartilages, 4 Lobe piercings.