u/Xabov

I've had my septum pierced since 19 or so (i'm 25) and never had an issue with it until now.
At 22-23 I went to change my jewelry and go a size up and everything went fine.
Last year I decided to stretch it further (with half-sizes) until i got to 3mm (8g).

The issue comes this year in which a perfectly healed stretched septum decided to turn into a stinky blowout after a very bad cold that had me wiping my nose every minute.
It's been about two to three months this way, doesn't hurt at all most of the time but it has a smelly crust that builds up if I don't touch it (I clean it daily tho).
I think the cold was responsible for my blowout because i've never had a problem with stretching my septum/earlobes and the stretching itself was about half a year ago (3 to 4 months before the blowout situation).

Is there any other way to heal this without having to downsize? If I end up having to downsize for a while, does half a size work to heal it or I'll have to go a whole size down?
Also, does it become harder to stretch afterwards / will i be able to size-up again?

Thank y'all in advance!

All the info I can find about going into the pool after surgery recommended 5-8 weeks after surgery but I feel that it's because of nip healing.
I've had DI without nips 2 weeks ago and my scars are pretty well, no scabs either as all have fallen. My bf invited me to his parents house pool, which is a private pool so noone would be there besides us, also i thought of going in the nighttime so there's no sun.

I really wanted to get in the pool as the heat is insufferable right now and i'm not gonna swim, just lay there and then get a shower and put the post-op binder again (only have to wear it 20h a day by now).

What would y'all do? I really feel that the reccomend wait time is bc of the nip healing. Any of you have done something similar?