Infected Lip Piercing: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, And More

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process

How to Identify and Treat an Infected Lip Piercing

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on March 8, 2019

Identification
Don’t play
Disinfect
Warm compress
Cold compress
Tea tree oil
Avoid creams
Oral hygiene
Diet do’s and don’ts
Tips and tricks
See your piercer

How infections develop

Lip piercings may be more prone to infection — especially during the initial healing stage — due to regular contact with saliva, food, makeup, and other bacteria.

Snagging the jewelry on your hair or clothing can also irritate the piercing and introduce new bacteria.

You may be more likely to develop an infection if you have a double piercing, like a vertical labret or dahlia. Infection may or may not affect both holes.

Keep reading to learn how to identify infection, what you can do to ease your symptoms, and how to prevent further complications.

How to identify an infection

If the piercing is new, irritation is normal. Your skin’s still adjusting to the new hole in your lip or surrounding area.

During the first two weeks, you may experience:

redness
minor swelling
occasional throbbing
mild heat or warmth
clear or white discharge

Redness or swelling that extends beyond the piercing site may be a sign of infection.

Other early signs of infection include:

persistent warmth
worsening pain
excessive bleeding
pus
bump at the front or back of the piercing
fever

Mild infections can typically be treated at home. However, you should see your piercer right away if it’s your first time dealing with an infected piercing or if your symptoms are more severe.

1. Don’t play with or remove the jewelry

Twisting or touching the jewelry can increase swelling and irritation. It can also introduce new bacteria into the piercing.

For the most part, consider the jewelry to be completely off-limits. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing.

It’s may also be tempting to take the jewelry out, but this can actually do more harm than good.

Not only can it cause further irritation, removing the jewelry may allow a newer piercing to close. This can trap bacteria and allow the infection to spread beyond the piercing site.

2. Clean the area two to three times per day

If you’re experiencing signs of infection, regular cleansing is the best way to flush out bacteria and prevent further irritation. You should clean two to three times a day with a saline or salt solution.

With a pre-made saline solution

Using a pre-made saline solution is typically the most convenient way to clean your piercing. You can buy these over the counter (OTC) at your piercer’s shop or local pharmacy.

To clean your piercing:

Soak a cloth or a sturdy paper towel with saline. Don’t use tissues, thin towels, cotton balls, or cotton swabs; the fibers can get caught in the jewelry and cause irritation.
Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry.
Make sure you clean the outside and inside of your lip or cheek.
Repeat this process as many times as needed. There shouldn’t be any “crust” left on the jewelry or around the hole.
Don’t scrub or prod, as this will cause irritation.

With a DIY sea salt solution

Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC.

To make a sea salt solution:

Combine 1 teaspoon sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water.
Stir until the salt completely dissolves.
Follow the same steps for cleansing as you would with pre-made saline.

Can you use mouthwash?

Alcohol-free mouthwashes, such as Biotene, are safe to use, but they shouldn’t replace your saline cleansing routine.

You can use mouthwash to rinse after you a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing.

3. For external symptoms, apply a warm compress

Applying a warm compress to the outside of the piercing may help minimize irritation, decrease swelling, and alleviate pain.

Regular compress

You can make a compress by sticking a damp towel or other cloth-based item in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Some store-bought compresses contain herbs or rice grains to help seal in warmth and offer slight pressure.

If you’d like, you can make these modifications to your homemade compress. Just make sure that the cloth can be sealed or folded so that nothing falls out.

To use a warm compress:

Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. Repeat until it’s comfortably warm to the touch.
If you have a store-bought compress, heat up as directed on the product’s packaging.
Apply either the OTC or homemade compress to the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time, once or twice daily.

Chamomile compress

Chamomile has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process.

Before use, do a patch test to ensure sure you’re not allergic to chamomile. To do this:

Steep a chamomile tea bag in warm water for two to three minutes.
Apply the tea bag to the inside of your elbow.
Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. Allow your skin to dry without rinsing.
Wait 24 hours. If you don’t experience any redness or other signs of irritation, it may be safe to apply a chamomile compress to your piercing.

To use a chamomile compress:

Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes.
Remove the tea bags and allow them to cool for about 30 seconds. The bags should be warm to the touch.
Wrap each tea bag in a thin cloth or paper towel. This will help prevent the strings from getting caught on your jewelry.
Apply a tea bag to each side of the hole for up to 10 minutes.
Refresh the tea bags with warm water as needed.
After 10 minutes, rinse the affected area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Repeat this process daily.

4. For internal symptoms, suck on ice or apply a cold compress

Cold compresses can help reduce pain and swelling on the inside of your lip or cheek.

Ice

Suck on ice or popsicles as often as desired, especially within the first two days of healing.

Regular compress

If popsicles aren’t your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief.

To use a cold compress:

Wrap a thin cloth or paper towel around the frozen pack.
Gently apply gently to the affected area for up to five minutes at a time.
Repeat twice daily.

5. For external symptoms, apply diluted tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that may help clean and disinfect your lip piercing.

Pure tea tree oil is potent and may cause additional irritation, so mix it with an equal amount of saline solution or carrier oil before use.

After you dilute the oil, do a patch test to check for sensitivity. To do this:

Rub the diluted mixture into the inside of your elbow.
Wait for 24 hours.
If you don’t experience any itchiness, redness, or other irritation, it should be safe to apply elsewhere.

If the test is successful, you can add tea tree oil to your routine by:

mixing a couple of drops into your saline solution and cleansing as usual
using it as a post-cleanse spot treatment: simply dip a clean paper towel into the diluted solution and gently apply it to the outside of your piercing up to twice a day.

6. Avoid OTC antibiotics or creams

Generally speaking, antibiotics are supposed to treat and prevent bacterial infections. However, OTC antibiotics can end up doing more harm when they’re used on piercings.

OTC creams and ointments, such as Neosporin, are thick and can trap bacteria under the skin. This may lead to more irritation, making your infection worse.

Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other antiseptics can damage healthy skin cells. This can leave your piercing more susceptible to invading bacteria and prolong your infection.

You’re better off sticking with your cleansing and compress routine. See your piercer if you don’t see improvement within a day or two.

7. Make sure you’re keeping the rest of your mouth clean

When it comes to lip piercings, you have to more than just clean the piercing site. You have to keep the rest of your mouth clean, too. This can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and getting trapped inside your piercing.

Flossing

You may already know that daily flossing can help remove plaque and debris from in between your teeth and help prevent gingivitis. But it can also help prevent harmful bacteria from reaching your lips and further irritating your piercing.

Floss at night before brushing. You may consider using a floss holder to help with precision, so you don’t accidentally catch the floss on the jewelry.

Brushing

From an oral health standpoint, brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. You may also consider brushing midday to help prevent bacteria buildup. Toothpaste is unlikely to harm your lip piercing, but make sure you rinse thoroughly.

Rinsing

If you aren’t already using a mouthwash, there’s no real need to start now.

If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you normally would. Avoid alcohol-based rinses.

8. Watch what you eat and drink until it’s fully healed

What you eat matters, especially when you have a wound — in this case, an infected piercing — in your mouth.

Do’s

As your lip piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. This includes mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal.

Anything chewy may require an additional salt rinse after eating. Water should be your drink of choice at this time.

Don’ts

Peppers, chili powder, and other spices can cause additional pain and irritation.

Alcohol can act as a blood thinner as well as damage the skin cells around the piercing. This may prolong your healing time and increase your risk of complications.

Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. If you don’t want to take a temporary hiatus, cut back on your usual intake until the infection clears.

Other things to keep in mind

Although cleaning your piercing is important, it’s just one part of a larger care plan.

Learning to evaluate everything that may come into contact with your lip — and adjusting accordingly — can help you reduce the amount of bacteria, debris, and dirt that gets into the piercing.

During healing:

Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, and other lip products. You may need to toss any products that you use while the infection is active.
Avoid sharing food and drinks to minimize the spread of infectious bacteria.
Avoid open-mouth kissing and oral sex to reduce the transfer of bacteria and saliva.
Wash your hands before touching your mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
Change your pillowcase once a week and change your sheets at least once every other week.
Avoid rubbing towels on your face after washing.
Pull tops over your head slowly so you don’t catch the jewelry by mistake.

When to see your piercer

You should continue your daily cleansing and soaking routine unless your piercer advises otherwise. Keep up with this routine until all symptoms subside and until your lip piercing completely heals.

See your piercer if your symptoms don’t improve within two to three days, or if they worsen. They can take a look at the piercing and make specific recommendations for cleaning and care.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Body piercing. (2017).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/
Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. (n.d.).https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
Body piercing troubleshooting for you and your healthcare professional.(n.d.).https://www.safepiercing.org/docs/APP_Troubleshooting_Print.pdf
Lee CJ. (2013). Correlations of the components of tea tree oil with itsantibacterial effects and skin irritation.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949813000082
Holbrook J, et al. (2012). Body piercing: Complications and preventionof health risks. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22175301
Malta Purim, KS, et al. (2014). Piercings in medical students and theireffects on the skin.https://www.doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142878
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Piercings: How toprevent complications.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317
Srivastava JK, et al.(2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the pastwith a bright future (Review).https://www.doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
Taking care of your new piercing. (2011).https://www.safepiercing.org/docs/APP_AftercareMinors_Web.pdf
Tea tree oil. (2016).https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on March 8, 2019

Read this next

What Is Piercing Rejection?Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI
When you get a new piercing, you’re welcoming a foreign object into your body. Here’s what to do if your body rejects the piercing.
READ MORE
What to Expect During Each Stage of Your Tongue Piercing Healing ProcessMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
A tongue piercing officially takes six and eight weeks to completely heal. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care…
READ MORE
Can Piercings Give You Headaches?Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN
If you’re wondering whether piercings can cause headaches, you’re not alone. Headaches are a less common side effect of piercings. However, you can…
READ MORE
What Is This Nose Piercing Bump and How Can I Get Rid of It?
Swelling, redness, bleeding, or bruising are typical after a new nose piercing, but a bump may be cause for concern. Most of the time, your bump will…
READ MORE
Tattoo Aftercare: Everything You Need to KnowMedically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network
In this video, we explain how to care for your tattoo, what to expect in the first month, the signs of infection, and much more.
READ MORE
How to Recognize and Treat a Nipple Piercing InfectionMedically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D.
Learn how to tell the difference between an irritated and an infected nipple piercing, how to treat it, and when you should see your doctor.
READ MORE
What to Expect from Tattoo-Related PainMedically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network
Less painful areas to get tattooed usually have more fat, few nerve endings, and thick skin. More painful areas have less fat, more nerve endings, and…
READ MORE
Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters — Here's Why and How to Treat Them
Considering laser tattoo removal? Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects.
READ MORE
Syfovre Dosage Information: Strength, Form, and Long-Term Use
Here's all you need to know about Syfovre treatment for your eyes, including form, strength, and how many injections you'll need.
READ MORE
What Every Caregiver Should Know About Hospital Delirium
Hospital delirium can be a serious condition in older patients. Learn the signs and what you can do to help.
READ MORE

Tag » How Long Does A Lip Piercing Take To Heal

Sexual Health

How infections develop

How to identify an infection

1. Don’t play with or remove the jewelry

2. Clean the area two to three times per day

With a pre-made saline solution

With a DIY sea salt solution

Can you use mouthwash?

3. For external symptoms, apply a warm compress

Regular compress

Chamomile compress

4. For internal symptoms, suck on ice or apply a cold compress

Ice

Regular compress

5. For external symptoms, apply diluted tea tree oil

6. Avoid OTC antibiotics or creams

7. Make sure you’re keeping the rest of your mouth clean

Flossing

Brushing

Rinsing

8. Watch what you eat and drink until it’s fully healed

Do’s

Don’ts

Other things to keep in mind

During healing:

When to see your piercer

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Contact