Signs of Tongue Piercing Infection
Tongue piercings are an aesthetic way of expressing one's individuality. These piercings are usually only cosmetic in nature and involve a general healing period of four to six weeks. No matter what your specific reason for getting a tongue piercing is, it is important to remain mindful of the signs and symptoms of potential infection so the proper steps can be taken to remedy the issue(s). Even though the tongue piercing itself is completed relatively quickly, the risk of infection associated with the procedure should be fully understood before making the decision to have the piercing performed.
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Swelling
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Swelling around the site of the tongue piercing is normal during the approximately four week period necessary for healing. Every person will heal differently, which is why you shouldn't panic if minor swelling continues briefly (four to six days) after this time. Excessive swelling (indicated by difficulty swallowing or talking) and/or extended periods of minor swelling may be signs that an infection has developed as a result of the piercing.
Redness
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Slight redness is normal during the healing period after a tongue piercing, but may be a sign of infection if continuous. Knowing whether the redness is caused by an infection can be difficult; tongue piercings can become irritated if the initial piercing hasn't been swapped with a smaller tongue ring, so be vigilant about wearing the appropriate ring size. If that is not the case, and the redness continues or deepens after four weeks, there is a possibility the piercing site is in fact infected.
Abscesses
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An abscess is the round, often infected growth as a result of fluid accumulation without proper drainage. These most commonly appear when an internal or external wound anywhere on the body (including the tongue) has become infected. Abscesses may resolve on their own, but medical attention should immediately be sought if an abscess continues to grow or becomes painful to the touch. Although extremely rare, an infected tongue piercing may even result in infected abscesses of the brain, as the mouth shares the same blood supply with it. Be vigilant of localized or unusually painful headaches and/or toothaches.
Strong Odors
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Any unpleasant odor emitting from the site of your tongue piercing is a strong indicator of infection. The odor may have be due to improper oral hygiene and/or lack of keeping the new piercing cleaned with the saline solution provided by the piercing specialist. The odor itself may resemble that of strong halitosis, but it is generally a bad sign if you have in fact practiced good oral hygiene and still notice a strange scent emanating from the site of the tongue piercing. This type of infection is usually due to bacteria and may require the prescription of antibiotics to resolve the problem.
Discoloration
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Any deep discoloration of the tongue tissue surrounding a piercing (green, gray, purple or black) is a clear sign of severe infection. Tongue piercings should never cause this type of discoloration if they were performed by a professional with a clean needle and cared for in the appropriate manner after the piercing has been done. Extreme discoloration of any area of the tongue after a piercing cannot be ignored and should immediately be treated by a medical professional.
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