How Bad Do Lip Piercings Hurt?

Lip piercing infection is a common problem. Below are the signs that of an infection:

• Severe, throbbing pain that has been persistent for more than 2 days.
• Swelling and redness at the site of the piercing.
• Eating and chewing food becomes very difficult.
• Irritation, burning and itching at and around the location of the 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.
• The 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 1-2 days.

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.

Treatment:

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 6-8 weeks to heal completely. If the discomfort continues, it is advisable to consult your piercer. A lip piercing infection is rather difficult to heal and 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.

• Do not try to touch it with fingers or squeeze the discharge out. 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 resulting in an abscess.
• 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.
• 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 the mouth.
• Yogurt contains a lot of beneficial bacteria, so you can incorporate it into the diet (at least twice a day).
• Chew or suck on some crushed ice; this 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 reduce swelling and pain.
• If your lymph nodes started to swell up, it would mean that the infection has turned severe. In such a case, consult a doctor immediately, who will prescribe some antibiotic medication.
• Consume as many vitamins as possible to speed up the healing process.
• Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol until the piercing heals completely. Also, avoid eating spicy food that can irritate the pierced area.
• Do not use any kind of antibiotic ointment unless told by the doctor because it can trap dirt and will not allow the piercing to breathe and heal faster.