Tongue Piercing After Care

[peagreen]

Hey there, I've had my tongue pierced a few days ago and while I am no stranger to piercings as this is my lucky number 13 - on day 3 I've got a bit of bleeding - only a slight amount but its like a bit clot like - I have no pain and only minimal swelling - is this normal? Am rinsing with mouthwash and salt water and sucking icecubes.. just want to know if anything is going wrong with the piercing and I should go see my piercer or just ride it out?

[kaktus]

I don't know much about piercings, but if you're worried, off to see the piercer and maybe the doctor. As I do know, you do not want an infection in your tongue! Sorry this isn't more helpful, I just think is better to be on the safe side.

[camille79]

I think it'll be ok - piercings tend to have a bit of discharge for the first few days but if it feels "wrong" then get the piercer to take a look.

How uncomfortable was it to get your tongue pierced?  I've wanted mine done for years but always manage to chicken out!

[lilmonkey]

Your tongue will probably be fine! I agree with Camille79 about some discharge being normal and seeing your piercer to reassure you, and as kaktus says, if you are worried that it is infected then go to your GP (but expect a lecture!)

Keep up with the salt water rinses everytime you eat or drink anything that isn't water, and maybe do them a bit more frequently if you're worried. What mouthwash are you using? Some (such as Listerine) are a bit too strong to be using on new tongue piercings, try something like Betadine mouthwash for sore throats/mouth infections, you add water to it so it's quite mild, but it's still antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal. (It tastes awful though!)

[nicola_red]

I used Oraldene mouthwash after my tongue piercing (which also tastes awful but is antiseptic) and took ibuprofen for the swelling.  And be careful when you're eating so as not to aggravate it.  If the bleeding continues I'd go see the piercer though, just to be on the safe side.

Camille, I put off having mine done for years cos I was scared of the pain (this is after many other piercings and tattoos), and then when I finally did it it really didn't hurt at all!  I had soreness for about five days afterwards though - Peagreen is lucky to have no pain on day 3.

[peagreen]

Thank you - i do know the GP would lecture me - I am also a doctor! I don't think its infected as there is no pain or swelling so it doesn't fit - just going to give it a few days.

As for when it was pierced - it was odd, i wouldn't say pain as such - its just uncomfortable and a bit of a weird feeling - I found the clamps that hold your tongue the worst part becuase you tend to drool lol! I'v put it off for years but decided what the heck - patients can love me or leave me!

I'm using listerine and salt water in combination with antiseptic and anaesthetic throat lozenges plus still a bit of ice sucking - I think its the long bar thats aggrevating me more than anything!

[rainhopper]

I would stop with the Listerene and stick to just salt water to clean it. Listerene contains alcohol which kills the natural friendly bacteria in the mouth and can delay healing. Trust me, infections in oral piercings are rather rare so mouthwash is really not necessary.

[Gothic Sam]

no i fink this is normal. but if u r worried thn u shud go n get it checked at! but im sure tht this is perfectly normal