Lip Ring Infections

Mayans, Eskimos and Aleuts embrace body piercing as a part of their culture and rituals, according to "The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice" (see link in Resources). And the Surma Tribe of Ethiopia actually wears large-sized plates on their pierced lower lips. But piercing can cause infection, putting health at risk regardless of whether the pierced individual is from a third-world country or living in the United States. Lip ring infections can impact dental health too.

Lip Ring Piercing

• Ear lobe piercing is usually done with an ear-piercing gun, but lip ring (and other body part piercing) is more likely to be done with a lone needle. During the process, the needle is inserted directly into the area to be pierced. This is usually done after the area has been numbed with anesthesia.

  Then the jewelry is inserted into the new hole after the process. Sterilization of the needle or piercing gun prior to each use is important to prevent complications from developing afterward.

Infection and Other Complications

• Some complications that can develop during or after the body piercing process can include damage to the skin (usually from using a piercing gun), skin infections, blood-borne diseases, dental health problems, tearing, trauma, scars and keloids, according to the Mayo Clinic (see link in Resources).

Infection

• Hepatitis, HIV, tetanus and bacteria infections may also occur due to piercing in the lip or tongue. In addition, piercing in these particular areas can affect dental health as well, since jewelry may damage the teeth it comes in contact with or increase germs and infection potential of the mouth, due to the insertion and removal of jewelry periodically.

Piercing vs. Infection Symptoms

• A little redness, tenderness, bleeding and swelling is normal after this process. There might also be a white or yellow discharge. Swelling due to lip piercing may not occur until a few days after piercing, but it can last up to six weeks afterward, according to DrBrunn.com (see link in Resources). Therefore, it is not always easy to discern if symptoms experienced are due to infection or general after effects of piercing.

Infection Symptoms

• Discharge color and smell can indicate infection. For example, if the discharge is thick and either yellow, green, or gray--and has a bad odor to it--it is possible that it is due to infection. If a rash appears around the pierced area or a bad smell (even without discharge) or a fever occurs, medical attention should be sought for possible infection.

Significant

• Jewelry should not be removed (or replaced) during the period of healing, as this can result in the lip hole closing up. Since the wound has not healed, this can also cause increased risk of infection.