A piercing is essentially a scar, and it takes time for this scar to form. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Do you have a question for Alley, submit it to DearAlley@bodycandy.com for your chance to get featured! Following your heart to get a tongue piercing should be done with respect and awareness. However, they should avoid touching the piercing or knocking the piercing with the teeth, as this can increase irritation. It gets them back the piercing they loved, and it prevents them from having more scars in the same area. However, what may seem like a problem could also be the result of the natural healing process of your tongue. Throughout history, body piercing has been a symbol of beauty, sexuality, ritual initiation and rites of passage. A person may experience an allergic reaction on their skin such as a rash, a, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Symptoms tend to end when the keloid stops growing, but not always. While a keloid is growing, it may feel tender or painful. Corticosteroid injections may reduce scar tissue by fighting inflammation and breaking down collagen. Excessive scar tissue at the piercing site makes re-piercing difficult. The symptoms of a . It entirely depends on the degree and type of scarring if we can or can't, and often we need to see and feel the tissue in person to determine this. Piercing rejection isnt nearly as common as some other piercing complications, like infections, keloids, and dermatitis. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. DOI: Zhu Z, et al. Proudly created with Wix.com, Where things become more difficult are scars not from piercings. If you are looking for help with your condition, please seek out a qualified medical practitioner. After a few days, the wound may also ooze a whitish or clear fluid. I'd like to get it removed for medical and cosmetic purposes. (n.d.). The skin between the entrance and exit holes is: nearly transparent (you might see the jewelry through your skin). DOI: Rabello F, et al. If a person suspects an infection, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. The entrance and exit holes increase in size. For more extreme scarring, I suggest at minimum 1 year from the surgery or cause of the scar before repiercing. Piercing bumps tend to appear more quickly and do not grow in size, while keloids take time to form and can continue to grow over time. A tongue piercing is a traumatic wound, and itll take your mouth a while to adjust to it. Treatment options include: The AAD recommend that people who know that they are prone to keloids avoid getting piercings. This reduces the risk of accidentally introducing additional bacteria to the site. Those done on your tongue are especially delicate. Hope this helps! How Much Does It Hurt to Get the Rook of Your Ear Pierced? How Long Does It Take For A Tongue Piercing To Close? Take a glassful of warm water and add one teaspoon of salt. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them, use a soft-bristle toothbrush for cleanings, look for signs of complications especially an infection, engage in french kissing or oral sex until the piercing has completely healed, play contact sports with your jewelry in your tongue, smoke or drink alcohol during the healing process. Included is detail on avoiding infection and, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Before touching the piercing, always wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue. It results from blood seeping into your tissues and can look like a smooth lump. The following table shows some of the key differences between these skin changes: Piercing bumps are part of the bodys natural response to injury, and they do not typically require treatment. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. 4/10. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. To make a salt soak, add 1/4 teaspoon of iodine-free salt to 8 ounces of warm water. While it isnt abnormal for a new tongue piercing to swell and even leak something that looks like pus, these can also be signs of a more significant issue. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. How to Get Rid of a Piercing Bump According to Expert Piercers - Byrdie Youll still need to take precautions after the eight-week healing period, though. Youll also want to ensure that any jewelry you select for your tongue piercing is of good quality. Your piercer should discuss your choices with you, and also be honest about any extra risks or considerations. It doesnt go past the wound that caused it. Skin infections. Hypertrophic scarring. Speak with a qualified piercer for advice. Scars are a natural response to wound healing. Hypertrophic scars, or raised scars, are one response during the healing process. Some of us will get them no matter what. In response to injury, cells in the skin called fibroblasts produce excessive collagen, which leads to the development of a keloid. The rash may develop as a result of an allergy, friction, or exposure to something corrosive or toxic. A septal hematoma can develop if the piercing damages blood vessels and the tissue lining the cartilage, causing blood to collect between the two. This is about how long your skin needs to repair itself. The texture of keloids can differ. In the U.S., piercing became mainstream during the 1990s and is perhaps more popular than ever. You should also work towards ensuring your mouth is as clean as possible at all times. A little bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue now has a hole in it. Youll need to get an injection every four to six weeks. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. You should consider having this conversation with a piercer - they might also be able to recommend something like a tea bag compress. A tongue piercing officially takes between six and eight weeks to completely heal. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Taking care of your new oral piercing. Splitting or tearing of the skin, which may cause scar tissue . None of the statements made on this website are intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease, infection or illness. Research your options of piercing parlors beforehand so that you can pick a professional wholl take all necessary precautions against complications. Infections in a tongue piercing can have severe consequences. Indeed, many men with genital piercings have reported complications. Bumps are, Piercing your rook may seem like a great idea, but it's important to be aware that it's one of the most painful types of ear piercings. While the lump could be symptomatic of something more substantial, it may have formed as part of the normal healing process. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. You shouldnt have any pain or swelling at this stage, but you might find that certain foods irritate your tongue. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. But don't wear white gold it may contain nickel. If youre prone to scarring, be sure to: Hypertrophic scars are often benign and harmless. If they bother you, ask your piercer or doctor about treatment options. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care for your new piercing. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If anything, more severe scars often have decreased sensitivity and feeling (my surgical scars are virtually numb!) A lump near or around your tongue piercing isnt an immediate cause for concern. (2010). Here's what to expect. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Dip a clean paper towel into the mixture and apply to the piercing for 5 to 10 . Be aware many scars need to be assessed in person, so you very well may need to do an in person consultation to get a final answer. Decades later, the keloids still itch and feel painful. Medical problems arising from body piercings happen a lot; the incidence of complications could be as high as one out of every five individuals. But take care with spices, as these can irritate the wound. There are a couple layers to your question, so let me start here: There are a bunch of reasons why you may have had complications with your first belly ring. As Nazarian says, "Piercing again requires you to injure the skin through scarred tissue," and depending on how traumatized your body was with the original piercing, you may be able to re-pierce the hole. About two years ago I got my tongue pierced with no problems, a year ago I tore the piercing due to playing with it. If you think you have a keloid, see your piercer. Piercing Through Scar Tissue - Lynn Loheide If youre prone to hyper-scarring, be aware that you may suffer this side effect in a tongue piercing or any future piercings you may get. Anything wider in diameter, such as an 8 gauge, is more likely to cause scarring. Steroids can weaken the nearby skin, so you shouldnt get more than five injections total. When it comes to larger or more severe scarring like that from plastic surgery, major accidents, or very severe previous piercing scaring, this is when things become less sure. Not at all! Davies L. (n.d.). Nerve damage complications are also possible and sometimes they affect internal organs or lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal illness that requires immediate medical attention. Hard Lumps Around A Tongue Piercing - AuthorityTattoo Speak with your piercer about the depth of the piercing and the best size for jewelry to wear while youre healing. The jewelry has noticeably moved from its original place. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. Infection of a nipple can cause an abscess and scar the breast tissue. This ensures the health of your piercing over the long term. Oral piercing of the tongue, lip, cheek or other soft tissues is a form of body art and self-expression. Try a larger piece of jewelry if your ring wont lie flat or your barbell looks like its getting swallowed up. Your piercer can safely do it for you. While people shouldn't necessarily avoid piercings, they should be aware of the risks and best practices. Bumps at the site of a piercing can sometimes be a sign of another condition or health issue. Youll need to be careful with the types of foods that you eat, as these can get stuck around the jewelry and make you uncomfortable. If you find yourself in this situation, its imperative that you seek medical care. 4/10. 2022 AuthorityTattoo. Migration and rejection leave paths of scarring that are more severe then they little scar left from just removing a piercing. You can do a salt rinse to help minimize any pain and swelling. There are currently 5 Scar Removal + Tongue questions and doctor answers on RealSelf. Everyone has a different way that they like to present themselves and it's important for kids (and adults too!) The second time I pierced my tongue I was 18, there was so much scar tissue from the previous piercing that the dude had to put some serious force into the needle to get it through, this time a . Low-quality jewelry can irritate the skin. See additional information. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. If you have a lump formed near your tongue piercing that isn't painful to the touch and isn't accompanied by any other symptoms, like fever, pain or swelling, it may be scar tissue.