The introduction of Identify and Treat an Infected Lip Piercings

Like any piercing, lip piercings are considered a body modification but they can become infected if not cared for properly. If you know how to identify and treat an infected lip piercings will help you know when and how to resolve it faster, with reduced discomfort. In this article, we are going to talk about the signs of an infected lip piercings and how best you can take care of it. Following the right steps to help you reduce the risk of complications, and to keep a healthy piercing with a well healed one.

What Causes Lip Piercings Infections?

How to identify and treat the infected lip piercings is always understood by looking at the reasons of infections. Infections are caused usually by bacteria getting into the piercing site, usually this is due to poor aftercare or dirty hands, or coming into contact with dirt and bacteria. Some common causes include:

• Touching the piercing with unclean hands: When you touch your piercing without first washing your hands, you raise the chances of you introducing harmful bacteria.
• Using non-sterile jewelry: Jewelry made from non hypoallergenic material or that has not been sterilized properly can harbor bacteria leading to infections.
• Improper cleaning: Irritating the piercing or by setting up an environment for a bacterial growth, if you don’t clean your piercing properly or if you use harsh chemicals.
• Excessive movement: Touching or rotating the jewelry too much can be irritating enough to cause infection.

The symptoms of an Infected Lip Piercings

How to identify and treat an infected lip piercings depends on knowing the signs of an infection. His parents stated that most infection occurs during the healing period, but also later if the piercing is disturbed. Here are some common symptoms of an infected lip piercings:

1. Redness and Swelling

A new lip piercings is normal to have a small amount of swelling and redness. But if it gets worse — red, swollen and intense — especially around the piercing site, that could be a sign of infection. It may also be warm to the touch, in the area.

2. Pain and Tenderness

Piercings that are infected are more painful than normal piercings while they heal. The pain may be from infection if it only worsens or does not go away within a few days. Also red flag is tenderness around the piercing that lasts a longer time than it should.

3. Discharge (Pus or Fluid)

An infected lip piercing can drain thick, yellow or greenish pus that smells bad. This discharge may occur through the piercing hole itself, or around the jewelry. A normal sign of healing is clear fluid, colored pus, however, is a sign of infection.

4. Increased Heat in the Area

Infection causes a body inflammatory response, so that the blood flow is increased to the area. An infected lip piercing feels much hotter or cooler than the surrounding skin.

5. Fever

A severe infection can cause a fever. Anybody who experiences body aches or a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) when their lip piercing becomes infected should see it as a serious indication that the infection is spreading.

How to Treat an Infected Lip Piercings

It is important to learn how to tell an infected lip piercing in order to cure it, as an untreated infected lip piercing will only get worse. Early intervention is the key to treat an infected lip piercings. Here are the essential steps to take:

1. Clean the Piercing Area

Proper cleaning is one of the critical factors in treatment of infected lip piercing. Using a saline solution (saltwater) gently clean the piercing. Don’t stay with harsh chemicals like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, since they tend to aggravate the piercing and prevent healing. Clean the area about twice a day to wipe away crusting or buildup around the jewelry.

How to clean: In 8 ounces of warm water combine 1/4 teaspoon noniodized sea salt. Cleaning your piercing with the saline solution is so simple that you just need to soak a cotton ball in the saline solution and clean the piercing gently. Don’t rotate the jewelry in the cleaning attempt, as that will push bacteria deeper into the hole.

2. Apply a Warm Compress

An infected lip piercing will benefit from a warm compress to reduce swelling and ease some of the pain. A clean cloth may be soaked with warm water and wrung out before you apply it to the infected area a few times a day for about 5 to 10 minutes. This can encourage blood flow and take relief off the infected site.

3. Use an Antiseptic Solution (Optional)

An antiseptic solution, such as a mild saline or chamomile rinse, can be applied to the piercing if it’s a mild infection. Try not to use strong antiseptics because they may irritate the skin. There are also over the counter antiseptic sprays or ointments made specifically for piercings – use with caution and follow instructions carefully.

4. Avoid Touching the Piercing

Moreover, for example, if you touch or twist your lip piercing with dirty hands you could make the infection worse. Never let your hands touch your piercing unless they have been washed; and never tamper or rotate your jewelry. This will stop further irritation and will stop the infection from spreading.

5. If Necessary Remove the Jewelry

In some cases you may need to remove the jewelry if the infection becomes severe. That being said, you shouldn’t remove your jewelry if the piercing is very fresh, or if the hole is closing up. Drainage is required for infected piercings and taking out the jewellery too early would stop the bacteria from draining out and in turn makes the infection worse.

6. Get the help of a Professional if Necessary

If your infection becomes worse or does not seem to improve with at home remedies, you need to see your healthcare provider. Your piercing may be looked at by a professional piercer or a doctor, and antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection is severe or has spread. In other cases, the piercing may have to be removed if the infection can not be treated.

How to Prevent Lip Piercings Infections.

The best way to handle an infected lip piercings is to avoid infection altogether. Here are some tips to help prevent future infections:

• Follow proper aftercare: Cleaning your piercing with saline solution twice a day and avoiding use of harsh products such as alcohol or peroxide will always keep it clean.
• Avoid sleeping on the piercing: Friction from sleeping on the piercing will irritate the piercing site making it more likely to get infected.
• Change the jewelry properly: Don’t change the jewelry until the piercing is completely healed. Use only high quality, hypo allergenic jewellery if irritation is a concern.
• Maintain good hygiene: To help reduce the risk of bacteria we recommend washing your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning your piercing.
• Avoid using makeup and lip products: Introducing chemicals and bacteria that those products can carry into your piercing can cause irritation and infection.

Conclusion

Anybody who has a lip piercing should understand how to identify and address an infected pierced lip. The sooner you realize the symptoms of infection and take the appropriate actions to cure it, the less likely it is to aggravate and recover faster. Don’t forget to clean your piercing well, don’t touch it more than you have to, and if the infection gets worse or lasts longer, see a professional. Taking proper care of your lip piercing, it will heal as it should with no issues and you’ll be sorted with how you want to look.