Lip Piercing?

Question

My piercer is out of town for a few weeks and I have no clue what to do. I had my lip pierced 3 months ago, and like all new piercings for a couple of weeks it was red and swollen. After that it healed and it was nice and clean and clear. For the past 3 weeks it's been red and crusty, and the skin around the hole is scaly, and some days it hurts, some days not, and goopy light green/yellow stuff has been coming out of it *pus*. A few times there was blood but that is just an on and off thing. I've been cleaning it with the sea salt soak they listed in the piercing care guide they gave me, and that seems to work for like 10 minutes then it's back to being crusty. I am assuming my piercing is infected; what can I do to make it go away or should I go to a professional and have them take it out or just let it be? Also right above my lip where it was pierced it's sort of numb (not tingly, just numb). Why is that?

One more thing, mind you you are NOT supposed to take out infected piercings as you could trap the infection in the skin. So taking it out is not an option unless I had a doctor or professional do it.

Answer 1

since you already know not to remove the jewelry good for you-do not allow your doctor to remove it either. The advice I'm about to give you has worked on myself and a few clients but if you see no imporvement in a week or less, go to a doctor as this is an infection and will need to be treated with antibiotics. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic which can soak into your skin and attack the infection, this is a bit harsh so you may need to dilute it a bit with water. Also your soak could be a bit strong make sure its' 1/8tsp to 8oz water. I'm guessing you have a ring in your lip, remove this and wear a labret stud, rings will put a lot of pressure on a lip piercing as it heals (i personally prefered not to pierce with rings) and since your having problems as described I'll wager your lip is a bit swollen, this could be causing a lot pressure due to the diameter of the ring or just the shape (imagine-straight needle=straight hole, ring=curved jewelry in a straight hole). You've probably just torn the fistula, which would explain the blood. Also some the mouth is actually the LEAST likely area to get infected so please ignore that-imagine all the dirty things that go in your mouth, the small cuts from food and such-there is bacteria in your mouth which helps HEAL your wounds (tongue piercing!) this is why alcohol based mouth wash is such a no-no it kills this good bacteria.

Answer 2

I had a friend who's hubby was a dentist and this stuff always upset him.

Piercing anything in the mouth area is actually quite dangerous.

Your mouth is crawling with germs.

I would get to a hospital IMMEDIATELY.

I read a newspaper article about a woman once who had something similar happen. The infection actually spread to her brain and she suffered severe brain damage.

Please any one out there considering piercing think twice about piercing your lips or tongue. Ask your dentist about this BEFORE you do it. Become informed on all sides of the issue before you proceed.

I don't know alot about nipple piercing but it seem less risky...

Though I do wonder how it effects women should they choose to nurse their babies.

Please seek medical attention right away. Don't let embarrassment keep you from getting the help your body needs.

Good Luck, hope you feel better soon!

Answer 3

You need to go see a doctor, if it is infected and it sounds like it, you will need to be treated with antibiotics. You will probably have to have the piercing removed. If you have numbness you could have some nerve issues going on. See a doctor, now.

Answer 4

It needs to be removed and allowed to heal.