Hypertrophic scars, or raised scars, are one response during the healing process. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. But any of these things can irritate a piercing enough to cause complications with healing. To be honest, you probably shouldn't be using either of these things on your piercings. 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. Ludwigs angina is an infection that can occur in your mouth. I heard it wont heal if its pierced through a scar? The tongue, lips, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals may be pierced. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection and prevent its spread. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. These immune cells might even cause a lump near your tongue. But it doesnt change the process of actually getting the piercings enough to be felt, so dont be scared! $40 to $100. This is particularly true of piercings that migrated or fully rejected. 22, 23 Because of the tongue's vascular nature, prolonged bleeding may result if vessels are punctured during the piercing procedure. DOI: Zhu Z, et al. It can cause severe scarring and may even spread to other areas of the body. Things like eyeglasses, hairpieces, false eyelashes, and . Poor-quality jewelry, messing with the piercing, and improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk. The best aftercare productIve personally used is theAfter Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray. The best way to combat a jewelry allergy is to replace the metal with a hypoallergenic one, such as titanium, stainless steel, or 18- or 24-karat gold. I started to form a small keloid that slowly grew bigger. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. If your body is rejecting a piercing, you may experience the following symptoms: Rejection usually happens in the weeks and months following a new piercing, but it can also happen years, even decades, later. Piercing rejection happens when the immune system sees the jewelry as a foreign object and tries to push, Salt water gargles are a cheap, easy, and natural alternative to medicated mouthwashes. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. (2005). They usually fade and flatten over time, even without treatment. Ready-made rinses may be available for purchase from your piercer, or you can make your own at home. Any new piercing can raise lots of questions. Excessive scar tissue at the piercing site makes re-piercing difficult. Mayan royalty had their tongues and genitals pierced; during the Victorian era, many women pierced their nipples. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Topical corticosteroid treatments are available as OTC and prescription creams. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. Infection of the lips or tongue may cause speech, chewing, or swallowing problems or swelling that can block the throat. I do want to clarify - there is a big difference between a "piercing bump" and a "keloid." . Apple cider vinegar is another effective home remedy for treating keloid on tongue. Keloid symptoms. Complications of Body Piercing | AAFP They can also be itchy or painful. However, what may seem like a problem could also be the result of the natural healing process of your tongue. Proper care can help the wound heal, reducing the risk of infection and helping keep the piercing in place. Although piercings are generally safe when proper hygiene is followed, it's critical to know the risks. Body Piercing: Issues and Challenges for Nurses - Medscape If a person suspects that they have a keloid, they should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or advice. If your piercer has turned you away for piecing through your scar but you are still quite determined, you can seek out treatment from a dermatologist. The Answer May Surprise You. Ive personally been pierced through scars and pierced plenty of clients through scars and everyone says theres really no difference! Keloid on tongue may flatten up and disappear after sometime, but with home remedies and different techniques it can be speedily removed. If you get a keloid on an earlobe piercing, itll probably be a round hard mass. If youre getting a surface piercing, make sure to talk to the piercer about their experience. Contact with food may further increase this risk. Things like accident scars, surgical scars, etc. If there is still swelling after a month, or if the piercing becomes painful or swollen after a period of seeming fine, this may signal an infection or other problem. Keloid does not pain and it does not contain any substance in it except the scar tissue. Risks and side effects. Infection of a nipple can cause an abscess and scar the breast tissue. Why Does My Tongue Piercing Hurt At The Bottom? To make a salt soak, add 1/4 teaspoon of iodine-free salt to 8 ounces of warm water. I had my tongue pierced a bit over a year ago improperly and it caused a lot of pain and some permanent numbness on the front bit of my tongue, so i took the piercing out and had a decent amount of scar tissue there. Body Piercing Problems - Pain Clinic of North Carolina The rash may develop as a result of an allergy, friction, or exposure to something corrosive or toxic. A tongue piercing officially takes six and eight weeks to completely heal. Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. The best thing to do is prevent the jewelry from pushing itself through the skins surface. My tongue still hurts, and there are two white scarred over holes on the top of my tongue. A regular salt water rinse can help with this. The Answer May Surprise You. This means that while the piercing may look less irritated, it is actually still healing for a month or longer. (2017). The only thing you should really be putting on a piercing is a sterile saline solution. And because proper care is crucial to decrease the chances of infection, piercings should occur only once the child is mature enough to care for the area. As a result, getting re-pierced in the same location can be a good location for a piercing to be re-established. Surgical removal may be possible but the risk of reappearance of keloid is greater due to cutting. Make sure you know the safety precautions and insist that they are used. Although not common, keloid can develop in people who have pierced their tongue. Tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done. Collagen is often called the building block of the body. Body piercing is also associated with transmission of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The risk may be from the piercing procedure. Last medically reviewed on January 14, 2020, Sometimes, the body will reject a piercing. Medical problems arising from body piercings happen a lot; the incidence of complications could be as high as one out of every five individuals. The tongue piercing healing stages are extremely important, and you should take care the best you can throughout this initial phase. Generally, hypertrophic scars dont cause complications. The consequences of tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues. Its the best way to help your piercing heal properly. If you think you have a keloid, see your piercer. 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. Commonly pierced body parts are the ears, nose, and the belly button. A small amount of bleeding is normal, but consistent bleeding may signal a problem. This larger-than-regular-size allows for the tongue to swell without affecting the boundaries of the jewelry. The entrance and exit holes increase in size. Bumps at the site of a piercing can sometimes be a sign of another condition or health issue. 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 . You may start eating harder, crunchier foods, but do so with care. A tongue piercing can have severe consequences for your health if you do leave a severe complication untreated. Your piercer might have you go to the doctor for a second opinion. Sometimes, this type of scar may appear after a piercing. However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. Davies L. (n.d.). Removing the stud too soon can increase your risk of tears and infections. Horizontal Tongue Piercings: Guide and Images, Double Tongue (Frog Eye) Piercings: Guide and Images, Tongue Piercing Swelling: Causes and Treatment, Tongue Piercing Issues / Tongue Piercings. Scar Removal and tongue Questions - Real Doctor Answers - RealSelf If you dont understand something, ask them. Corticosteroid injections may reduce scar tissue by fighting inflammation and breaking down collagen. Those done on your tongue are especially delicate. How to prevent a tragus piercing becoming infected, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, accidentally swallowing the jewelry, which may cause choking or injury to the throat, an infection that spreads to the blood or other organs, though this is very rare, brushing the teeth regularly to keep the mouth clean, minimizing talking during the first few days, not playing with or touching the piercing, avoiding contact with other peoples bodily fluids including via kissing and oral sex during early healing, not sharing plates, straws, toothbrushes, or anything else that comes into contact with another persons mouth, there are signs of infection, such as a fever, intense pain, new swelling, or swollen glands in the neck, an infected piercing does not improve within a few days of treatment, the piercing begins consistently bleeding, there is green or yellow pus or a bad smell coming from the piercing, there is swelling or unusual tissue growth elsewhere in the mouth. Those with tongue piercings often experience temporary tongue swelling, pain, difficulty eating and excessive salivation. While your piercing is healing, you shouldnt: These habits can irritate and bother the area around your new piercing. Youll need new jewelry. Rejection is more common in the following types of piercings: Read on to learn about the symptoms of piercing rejection and how you can treat it. Meltzer DI. Another OTC treatment is onion extract cream, but more research is needed to prove how well it works. If they bother you, ask your piercer or doctor about treatment options. It may be hard to tell from the picture but the keloid is raised quite a bit and is noticeable to other people. However, people can take steps to keep the area clean, prevent infection, and allow the piercing to heal. My scarring is bad, but I still really want a piercing! This can help prevent food and other irritants from getting stuck around the jewelry. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Industrial piercings are more prone to infections than other ear piercings. $40 to $80. A little bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue now has a hole in it. Decades later, the keloids still itch and feel painful. The molecular basis of hypertrophic scars. My tongue still hurts, and there are two white scarred over holes on the top of my tongue. Long answer- Like everything else, it depends on the scar! A keloid, on the other hand, is an actual scar. The jewelry starts to hang or droop differently. For your tongue piercing to properly heal, its imperative that you follow some basic guidelines. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. Dip a clean paper towel into the mixture and apply to the piercing for 5 to 10 . You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. Mix it thoroughly till the salt dissolves completely. Much of this depends on where your tongue piercing is placed, as well as how many new piercings you have. Scaring can make things more difficult for the piercer, as we need to assess that tissue differently and often take a unique approach to piercing if the scarring is more severe. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs increase the likelihood of bleeding by thinning out the blood. Some other strategies that can speed healing include: Do not try to treat an infected piercing at home. For example. Swelling around the tongue piercing is normal. Built-Up Scar Tissue. Take a glassful of warm water and add one teaspoon of salt. Hypertrophic scars are also common on your chest, upper back, and shoulders. Not only is it vegan, but its also completely alcohol and additive-free. Piercing bump vs. keloid: How to tell the difference - Medical News Today Scar Tissue is not as stable or as healthy as regular tissue and there are absolutely often different considerations depending on the type or degree of scarring that you have. Take out the jewelry if you see it migrating toward the surface. 4 - 8 weeks. Piercings heal from the outside in, which means that the outermost tissue of the tongue heals first. What kids should know about pierced ears injuries. A tongue piercing creates a wound in one of the most bacteria-filled parts of the body: the mouth. How To Clean Tongue Piercing Rings and Jewelry, Tongue Piercing Bleeding: Causes and Treatment, Tongue Piercing Healing: Day By Day Aftercare. Sometimes, cells make too much collagen and a raised scar can form. The guiche piercing is a unique, exciting piercing that can enhance your visual or sexual sensations when you look at it or play with it alone or with, Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. Rarely, it is associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. When rejection does happen, its usually in a flat area of the body. Piercing bumps and keloids are different skin conditions that can occur following a piercing. Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. If your piercer makes a mistake and nicks these blood vessels during the piercing process, you may experience some dramatic effects. Last medically reviewed on August 14, 2018. It can take months or years to get smaller. They are a more serious complication that you should discuss with your doctor, as they may require surgical removal. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). Proudly created with Wix.com, Where things become more difficult are scars not from piercings. Vijaya Daniel - UMass Chan Medical School. This would require them to stay in the hospital or receive intravenous antibiotics. However, they should avoid touching the piercing or knocking the piercing with the teeth, as this can increase irritation. Chrisopheles 8 yr. ago. It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Complications of body piercing include local and systemic infections, poor cosmesis, and foreign body rejection . If you have a lump formed near your tongue piercing that isnt painful to the touch and isnt accompanied by any other symptoms, like fever, pain or swelling, it may be scar tissue. The decision to remove a piercing should be up to you and your professional piercer, but this time around, give your body a little longer than six months to let it fully heal. Learn more about piercing rejections here. This will minimize trauma, irritation, and other issues. Pay attention to your piercing. Getting a larger gauge, or width, may reduce your chance of rejection. However, some doctors are successful in treating it by injecting steroid after cutting the keloid. Low-quality jewelry can irritate the skin. Most scarring from previous piercings is very minor, and absolutely no issue to be pierced through again. You can also use sterile saline instead of salt water. We also discuss the treatment options for both, as well as the other conditions that may cause skin issues after getting a piercing. What You Should Know Before Getting a Dermal Piercing, What to Do with an Infected Belly Button Piercing, Everything You Need to Know About Guiche Piercing, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Your body will only build up scar tissue around a piece of jewelry if that process is easier than pushing out the jewelry entirely. While people shouldn't necessarily avoid piercings, they should be aware of the risks and best practices. Doing so will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue and may lead to further complications. Pain and swelling should start to subside by the end of the first week. 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. Bumps are. bumpy scar tissue on the tongue; death of tongue tissue; Even if your tongue heals . Stay healthy, eat well, and avoid stress. Since tongue piercing has gained momentum in this modern day as trendy form of self expression, many young adults have keloid on their tongue. Before Getting A Tongue Piercing / Tongue Piercings, Swelling around the tongue piercing is normal, fever, pain, and/or a change in color to the tongue, lingual artery, which branches off of your carotid, Grab your tongue with forceps to hold it in place, Push the needle through and the jewelry right after. Is it possible to remove them by a punch excision? You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. See additional information. A good, reputable piercer will assess your scarring. A new piece of jewelry is often enough to stop migration and prevent rejection. The symptoms of piercing rejection are actually signs that your body is working to protect itself from what it perceives to be a threatening invader: your jewelry. How Long Does A Tongue Piercing Hole Take To Close Up? I know- your doctor may tell you to be pierced sooner, but I cover this in my. Do you have a question for Alley, submit it to DearAlley@bodycandy.com for your chance to get featured! We avoid using tertiary references. When the tongue or penis are pierced, a small amount of bleeding is expected, but severe bleeding sometimes can occur. Some of us will get them no matter what. A person should see a doctor or healthcare provider if they experience any of these symptoms. I have also reacted to dissolvable stitches when I once tried to have my chest keloids removed. (2017). Piercing salons may vary in terms of cleanliness and the experience of the practitioner. Always take care of new piercings. By day 10, your piercing may look like its good to go but appearances arent everything. Given that surface work is long term temporary, its important to consider that before getting a surface piercing and to keep that in mind when they eventually need to be removed. I got a double tongue piercing a year ago and it did not heal correctly so I had to take them out a month later. It can range from a small to large bump. Up to 30% of people with body piercings are allergic to nickel, which is a common metal found in jewelry. Keloid on tongue usually develops on or near the pierced area. There have been few studies into how common tongue piercing infections are, but the warm, moist site of the piercing makes it a prime spot for bacteria to grow. Independent Online. Although not common, keloid can develop in people who have pierced their tongue. When using it from the very start of the healing process, the spray helps to decrease healing times and aims to eliminate anylingering pain or soreness.. Where things become more difficult are scars not from piercings. Throughout history, body piercing has been a symbol of beauty, sexuality, ritual initiation and rites of passage. Ive had these procedures done myself and sent clients to get them. Relationships, mods, or whatever, Alley's got you covered :). For more extreme scarring, I suggest at minimum 1 year from the surgery or cause of the scar before repiercing. I encourage you to seek out a piercer with history of working on surgically altered tissue and examples of this in their portfolio. 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. Proper aftercare techniques are crucial to the outcome of your tongue piercing. If its somewhat in the middle, they may be willing to try the piercing, but with no guarantees that it will heal and wont leave more scarring. What causes your body to reject a piercing? The most significant risk associated with a tongue piercing is that the wound will become infected shortly after the piercing. Some other possible causes include: Infections in new piercings are quite common, and they can occur if the needle was not sterile or a person is unable to keep the piercing completely clean. 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. Look for jewelry made with steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold. Sometimes depending on the scarring repiercing is not possible at all, and this is very common with plastic surgery scars, including tummy tucks, breast implants or reductions, and top and bottom surgery. A piercing bump is "unstable scar tissue," or an irritation bump that commonly occurs in more dense tissue like the cartilage on your ear or nose. make scar tissue worse, so preventing infections may prevent . MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. See additional information. Most people who do this start with a tongue piercing placed where they want the back end of the split to be. You can eliminate salt rinses, but be sure to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any problems. Eventually, your body will push the piercing to the surface, and your skin will crack open to let it out. Both are caused by excess scar tissue, but keloids grow past the wound and into the surrounding skin. If possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating and drinking. I don't think that your grandchildren will be embarrassed at all. Not all women find this piercing pleasurable, and response to clitoral hood piercings . Piercing rejection isnt nearly as common as some other piercing complications, like infections, keloids, and dermatitis. It is a valuable home remedy to treat keloids. They'll let you know whether or not its time to see your doctor. A piercing is essentially a scar, and it takes time for this scar to form. Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. Learn more about home care techniques for keloids here. Tongue Piercing Healing Stages: Day By Day, Aftercare, Infection Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Beyond amyloid and tau: New targets in developing dementia treatments, Napping longer than 30 minutes linked to higher risk of obesity and high blood pressure, Activity 'snacks' could lower blood sugar, complication risk in type 1 diabetes, In Conversation: Investigating the power of music for dementia. All rights reserved. Although they are stubborn sometimes, a piercing bump can usually be treated with some thoughtful aftercare and a bit of patience. Infections in a tongue piercing can have severe consequences. Be sure to keep up with your regular dental checkups over the lifetime of your piercing. A doctor or dermatologist can advise on the best way to treat keloids. Tongue Piercing Healing / Tongue Piercings. 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. Causes Of Keloid On Tongue: How To Get Rid Of Keloid On Piercing? Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. It spends every minute of the day protecting you from an incalculable number of hazards: airborne diseases, bacteria on your skin, fungi, germs, and more. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? However, over time, differences will emerge. A keloid forms due to an overgrowth of fibrous tissue. We avoid using tertiary references. Piercing Through Scar Tissue - Lynn Loheide The texture of keloids can differ. What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? The information contained on AuthorityTattoo is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Early healing: Days 10-30. If it is a scar left behind from a previous piercing, which was healthy or fairly healthy when removed, and the scar it left is a small, mostly flat, healthy scar, absolutely. But take care with spices, as these can irritate the wound. In case of adverse side effects, they should be the first person you call for advice. This includes eating what you want, getting intimate, and switching out your jewelry. Your second question - piercing through scar tissue CAN hurt worse, but it doesn't always. Learn more about the causes, treatment, and prevention options here. I got a double tongue piercing a year ago and it did not heal correctly so I had to take them out a month later. For more extreme scarring, I suggest at minimum 1 year from the surgery or cause of the scar before repiercing. Tongue piercings are one of those piercings that really make a statement, but only if you look after them properly. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You might wonder if you have a hypertrophic scar. We avoid using tertiary references. Learn What Happens To A Piercing Once It's Removed - Bustle Still, the amount of swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking.