An infected lip piercing is a common complication after piercing and jewelry placement.
Typical symptoms include mild discomfort, itching, redness, and mild discharge from the wound.
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Causes
Piercings anywhere on your body may become infected.
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A piercing is an open wound and vulnerable topathogens(germs) that may enter and cause an infection.
In addition to localized symptoms, you may feel generally unwell.
Systemic (whole-body)signs of infectioninclude:
Fatigue and muscle aches also are common with systemic infection.
Thus, its essential to have a medical evaluation if you notice signs of infection.
You may also be able to treat your infected lip with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and at-home remedies.
It’s also not recommended for use in children.
Home Remedies
In addition to OTC treatments, some at-home treatments can help an infected lip.
These preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of introducing new bacteria while your piercing is healing.
But, there are dozens of different ways to pierce lips.
Prevention
Preventing infection starts with good aftercare habits.
Be sure to follow your piercer’s instructions for keeping the area clean.
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American Dental Association.Oral piercings.
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UC Berkeley.Body piercings: cleaning and healing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the Signs and Symptoms of Infection.
Kaiser Permanente.Infection From Body Piercings: Care Instructions.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Signs My Piercing Is Infected.
TruCare Dentistry.Heres everything you should know about oral piercings and its impact on dental hygiene.
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