Tongue Ring Infection Signs

Tongue piercings can be dated back to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Their citizens would pierce their tongues to offer their gods the blood that was drawn from the piercing. Today, tongue piercings are generally not done for reasons of spirituality; people may get their tongue pierced as a way of displaying their personality, or as a form of rebellion against their parents, and some do it to enhance their sex life. Though there are risks involved, tongue piercing remains a popular trend. Before getting this procedure done, be aware of the side effects and infections that may accompany it.

Significance

• Though the risk of developing an infection from a tongue piercing may not be high, it does still exist. In the worst-case scenario, you can develop scar tissue, damage the nerves in the tongue, contract a disease from poor safety precautions, or develop a brain abscess. To avoid these health repercussions from occurring, it is important to know what the symptoms are and how to treat an infected piercing before it turns into a major infection requiring medical attention.

Swelling

• Swelling will occur when the initial piercing takes place; however, the swelling will generally go down within a week of having the piercing done. If your tongue swells a second time--whether it be the top, sides or entire area--this is a possible sign of infection. It can be treated by sucking on ice and rinsing with a non-alcoholic mouthwash after each meal and snack.

Redness

• Redness around the site of the piercing is considered to be one of the first signs of an infected tongue ring. It may or may not be accompanied by swelling and pain. Using warm salt water rinses three to four times a day will help kill the bacteria that are causing the infection, as well as help reduce the inflammation. If you have had your piercing for at least two weeks, you can remove the tongue ring when you rinse, allowing for a more thorough cleansing of the site.

Bleeding

• Although there will be some bleeding when you initially have the piercing done, it should stop shortly thereafter. However, if you begin to notice any amount of bleeding from the site after healing has begun, this could indicate the beginning of an infection. Again, warm salt water rinses will help to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection and help heal the piercing site.

Red Streaks

• If you notice red streaks that start at the piercing site and travel down the front or sides of the tongue, this is a sign of an advanced infection. If you experience this symptom, seek medical treatment right away instead of attempting to treat the condition yourself. In these cases, the only effective method is a prescription for antibiotics.

Discharge

• Discharge is also a sign of an advanced infection and should be treated by a medical professional. The discharge, or pus, will come directly from the piercing site and may present around the tongue ring. It will usually be green or yellow, and can appear anytime after the piercing has taken place, especially if proper aftercare has not been implemented. This, along with the red streaks, requires the use of antibiotics to prevent the infection from worsening.

Considerations

• Regardless of what symptom of infection you experience after having your tongue pierced, it needs to be taken seriously, and requires prompt attention and treatment. If you feel you can treat the infection yourself, allow only three or four days to see an improvement. If you do not notice an improvement in the symptoms, seek medical attention right away. In addition, avoid activities such as kissing or oral sex until the infection has completely healed, as these activities are a means for more bacteria to enter the mouth.