Lip piercing infection is a common problem faced by most of the people after they get their lip pierced. Taking appropriate care is very essential, and if infected, one should get it treated to avoid further complications. Here, we will know how to check for an infection and some treatment measures for the same.
There are always some pros and cons of any kind of body art that you get done, especially in the case of body piercing. Most people who get a body piercing done are prone to developing an infection due to various reasons. Although the infection can be treated, it extends the time required for healing, and in cases with severe infection, it eventually ends up with jewelry being removed and the piercing closed.
Also, the infection may take a long time to heal, depending on the area of the piercing, and it may also be accompanied by severe pain and discomfort. Lip piercing normally takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal completely. If the discomfort continues, it is advisable to consult your piercer.
Infection Due to Lip Piercing
A lip piercing infection is rather difficult to heal and also takes more time compared to others because of the location of the piercing. One of the major dangers of lip piercing infection is that it can also spread to the teeth and gums if not treated on time. Piercing can be infected by bacteria as well as viruses of different kinds. Dealing with an infected lip could be quite difficult, so the best course of action would be to follow a lip piercing care routine.
Getting a piercing done is a style statement; however, you need to be very careful as it can lead to many complications if it gets infected. You need to keep a close look once you get pierced. Most of the time, you won’t get infected when you step out of the shop, but it can catch you in a couple of days. Outlined below are the signs that can tell you if your lip piercing is infected or not.
✦ Severe, throbbing pain that has been persistent for more than 2 days
✦ Swelling and redness at the site of piercing
✦ Eating and chewing food becomes very difficult
✦ Irritation, burning, and itching at and around the location of piercing
✦ Discharge from the area of the piercing accompanied by a foul smell
✦ Swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck
✦ Yellow- or green-colored discharge or pus from the piercing area
✦ Piercing area is unusually hot to touch or gives off heat
✦ Having chills or nausea, which is not a normal reaction after piercing
✦ Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck
✦ Fever after a day or two
All the above-mentioned signs and symptoms should be taken seriously and should not be ignored. Treatment for the same should be administered without any delay to prevent the infection from spreading.
✦ The most important thing to avoid when you detect a lip piercing infection is to mess with it further. Do not try to touch it with your fingers, or squeeze out the discharge by yourself. The germs on your fingers can increase the infection and cause further damage.
✦ Removing the jewelry just because the piercing is infected will add to the problem. In fact it will cause the infection to get trapped in the hole of the piercing, and an abscess filled with pus may form.
✦ For a lip piercing infection that is mild, use a solution of sea salt and warm water and rinse your mouth at least twice a day. The sea salt solution will help eliminate the discharge and crust that has formed around the piercing.
✦ Once you brush your teeth, make sure you use an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth. Use the mouthwash and gargle after every meal to remove all the food particles stuck in and around your mouth.
✦ Yogurt contains a lot of beneficial bacteria, so you can incorporate it in your diet (at least twice a day).
✦ You can chew or suck on some crushed ice which can help in reducing the inflammation and pain caused due to the piercing infection.
✦ To reduce and eliminate the pain and swelling, place a warm compress on the pierced lip, twice a day. Ibuprofen can also help to reduce the swelling and pain.
✦ If your lymph nodes start swelling up, it would mean that your infection has turned severe. In such a case, you should consult a doctor immediately, who will prescribe some antibiotic medication.
✦ Once you are aware that your piercing is infected, it is advised to check with your piercer first before you go to your family doctor as they have more experience and knowledge about how to deal with it.
✦ You will need to care for your lip piercing even after the infection has been cured. For this, make sure that you brush, floss, clean, and rinse your mouth and jewelry at least twice a day with an antibacterial mouthwash.
✦ Use a gentle toothbrush, and carefully remove all the food particles that can lodge inside your lip piercing area to avoid further infections.
✦ Consume as much vitamins as possible to speed up the healing process. You can have yogurt at least once a day as it contains good bacteria that will help in the healing process.
✦ Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol until the piercing heals completely. Also, avoid eating spicy food that can cause irritation to the piercing.
✦ Do not use any kind of antibiotic ointment unless told by your doctor, as it can trap dirt and won’t allow the piercing to breathe and heal faster.
✦ If you are into any kind of sports or you sweat a lot, make sure you wash the piercing area five to six times a day.
Caring for the lip piercing is very essential to prevent and cure infections. Make sure that you do the needful to heal and maintain your piercing so that you can enjoy all the compliments!