While your piercing is healing, you shouldnt: These habits can irritate and bother the area around your new piercing. This means that while the piercing may look less irritated, it is actually still healing for a month or longer. While the lump could be symptomatic of something more substantial, it may have formed as part of the normal healing process. Here are a few tips for dealing with piercing migration and rejection: The most important thing you can do before getting a new piercing is to research the best piercers in your area. They usually fade and flatten over time, even without treatment. 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. Tongues heal quickly, which means that the piercing may close if a person removes the jewelry, even for a short period of time. They may be itchy, tender, or hard to the touch. If you have history of keloid anywhere on the body, avoid tongue piercing as you are more susceptible to develop keloid on tongue. They are a more serious complication that you should discuss with your doctor, as they may require surgical removal. These needs to be felt and observed to determine their viability for piercing. When it comes to surgical scars, it becomes a more advanced process. Dont fret, and dont give up hope yet! Everyone has a different way that they like to present themselves and it's important for kids (and adults too!) We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. The texture of keloids can differ. Apple cider vinegar is another effective home remedy for treating keloid on tongue. Learn how to care for your tattoo, what to expect in the first month, the signs of infection, New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. However, the healing process can take upward of. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. The long answer? Some people take extra steps to make them less noticeable. Wound physiology. Cartilage doesnt heal as well as other tissues. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. Here are a few tips to reduce the likelihood of rejection: Piercings are a way to express yourself and adorn your body, but they do come with risks. Keloid scars are different. (2020). The tongue piercing healing stages are extremely important, and you should take care the best you can throughout this initial phase. Piercing Rejection: Signs, Prevention, Treatment, Pictures, and More They'll let you know whether or not its time to see your doctor. You can also use sterile saline instead of salt water. Bumps at the site of a piercing can sometimes be a sign of another condition or health issue. Commonly pierced body parts are the ears, nose, and the belly button. These scars are much more complex, and I will start by saying that the final say always should be done in person. As a general rule, if a lump is accompanied by pain, fever, or a change in color to your tongue, its time to seek medical attention. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the only one that comes into contact with the outside world. Since this is your body actually scarring, keloids can't simply be treated with compresses or by keeping the piercing site cleaned. Both are caused by excess scar tissue, but keloids grow past the wound and into the surrounding skin. If you think you have a keloid, see your piercer. Hypertrophic piercing bumps and keloid scars can look similar, but there are ways to differentiate them. Apply it for several days at least once in a day. How do you treat an infected belly button piercing? 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. . Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths/keloids, nyulangone.org/conditions/scars-keloids/treatments/medical-treatment-for-scars-keloids, aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths/scars, cartilage.org/patient/about-cartilage/what-is-cartilage/, How to Identify and Treat an Industrial Piercing Infection. Few minutes after application, rinse your mouth with water. See additional information. There is no age limit on piercings or tattoos And you know I'm a huge fan of rose gold, so I bet your hair is beautiful. 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. . Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). When rejection does happen, its usually in a flat area of the body. Swelling around the tongue piercing is normal. Tongue piercings are one of those piercings that really make a statement, but only if you look after them properly. A tongue piercing is a traumatic wound, and itll take your mouth a while to adjust to it. Dilute apple cider vinegar in a cupful of water. This is particularly true of piercings that migrated or fully rejected. Scars can take one year to fully mature. If you werent aware of needing to avoid these medicines, before or after the piercing, you might be experiencing a complication exacerbated by blood thinners. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. This may lead to broken teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, and similar oral health problems. The rash may develop as a result of an allergy, friction, or exposure to something corrosive or toxic. The infection could be serious or life-threatening and involve the entire . You may find it easier to eat, but you should still stick with soft foods at this point. Apply aloe vera gel mixed with coconut oil on keloid. And it can make healing more difficult and require more diligence and care on the part of the client. 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. They dont always make a scar piercable again, so this is not a guaranteed bet. The new tissue will be scar tissue, but it will rarely be noticeable. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. If it is too severe, they will be honest with you and decline to pierce you. You might wonder if you have a hypertrophic scar. DOI: Zhu Z, et al. Take out the jewelry if you see it migrating toward the surface. Keloid is a type of scar tissue which develops as a growth on or around the site of skin or damaged mucus membrane. They can continue to grow over time either quickly or slowly and can become very large. Proper aftercare techniques are crucial to the outcome of your tongue piercing. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care for your new piercing. Keloid and hypertrophic scars are the result of chronic inflammation in the reticular dermis. Surgical removal may be possible but the risk of reappearance of keloid is greater due to cutting. Another OTC treatment is onion extract cream, but more research is needed to prove how well it works. I have also reacted to dissolvable stitches when I once tried to have my chest keloids removed. Keep reading to find out what they look like and how you can treat them. Its important to avoid medication that may increase bleeding. And research over the years supports the use of chamomile to encourage skin repair. I don't know why that is. Hard Lumps Around A Tongue Piercing - AuthorityTattoo Hope this helps! (2013). There are special care instructions for tongue piercings. In this technique, the piercing professional will: Without complications, the tongue heals within four to six weeks. Piercing salons may vary in terms of cleanliness and the experience of the practitioner. This includes eating what you want, getting intimate, and switching out your jewelry. Other complications, less common, include brain abscess and endocarditis, a heart inflammation that can be life-threatening. Keloid scars tend to be larger than the original wound itself. Here's what to expect. If you are unsure what category the scars from your piercing may fall in it doesnt hurt to send some photos to your piercer of choice and see what they say. In response to injury, cells in the skin called fibroblasts produce excessive collagen, which leads to the development of a keloid. During that time, you're at risk for infection. 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. 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. Body piercing is also associated with transmission of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The risk may be from the piercing procedure. This is because the dense tissue will support the piercing and be less prone to infection. $40 to $100. It doesnt go past the wound that caused it. 4/10. A new piece of jewelry is often enough to stop migration and prevent rejection. But don't wear white gold it may contain nickel. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. Venom. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. Its basically a small wound, so piercings heal like other wounds. Doing so will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue and may lead to further complications. My tongue still hurts, and there are two white scarred over holes on the top of my tongue. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. (2017). That's pretty normal, but if I press them just slightly I feel the thick scar tissue inside which hurts a lot. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you! Before treating a hypertrophic scar, visit your piercer. Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. 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. Getting re-pierced? Here's what to consider - Essential Beauty Youll need new jewelry. The infection could be serious or life-threatening and involve the entire body (systemic). Sometimes, your body isnt as welcoming as you are, and it wants to push the foreign object out. Laser is effective in removing keloid. Owing to the fact that piercings are holes bored into your body tissues, they have to be carefully protected against infection. However, people can take steps to keep the area clean, prevent infection, and allow the piercing to heal. Today, body piercing remains common in tribal societies throughout Africa, Asia and South America. (n.d.). Once your tongue piercing has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene. The molecular basis of hypertrophic scars. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them, raised less than 4 millimeters above the surrounding skin, are raised more than 4 millimeters above the skin, apply oils and products that your piercer hasnt recommended, apply soaks with reusable towels, which can breed bacteria, apply soaks with tissue, cotton swabs, or cotton balls since they can get stuck, change the jewelry unless your piercer says its fine, regularly clean new piercings by following your piercers instructions, leave your jewelry alone while a piercing is healing, use only products recommended by your piercer. Oral piercing of the tongue, lip, cheek or other soft tissues is a form of body art and self-expression. Meltzer DI. You can eliminate salt rinses, but be sure to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any problems. The infection may even spread into your blood since your tongue is a highly vascular organ, with key blood supplies running through it. A hypertrophic scar on piercings can happen for two reasons: Hypertrophic scars usually develop with new piercings. Hypertrophic scarring and keloids: Pathomechanisms and current and emerging treatment strategies. See additional information. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. This prevents coagulation and delays blood clotting. Although tongue piercings are quick to heal compared to other piercings, theyre extremely vulnerable to infections. Lumps around a tongue piercing may be typical post-piercing symptoms or results of excessive scarring, infection, or hematoma. Please consult a healthcare practitioner before using tattoo/skincare products that may interfere with medications or known conditions. It may itch or cause a burning sensation. Some people, unfortunately, find that they experience complications with the healing process from any traumatic wound. The only thing you should really be putting on a piercing is a sterile saline solution. Often clients were happy with the placement and look of their old piercings, and if so I always suggest going back in the same place. Gargle with the mixture in your mouth one or two times in a day for several days for quick healing. All rights reserved. I noticed a odd bump on my tounge - my dentist says we should biopsy it- I am a keloider (have major ones on my chest and back and had radiation for those to stop them growing) and I also wear a bite splint at night and maybe thought this was a keloid? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Medical problems arising from body piercings happen a lot; the incidence of complications could be as high as one out of every five individuals. It stopped growing about four months ago but I'm afraid it might be getting bigger again. DOI: Hunasgi S, et al. Weeks 4-6: Scar tissue formation. Migration and rejection are some complications that can result from a new piercing. I heard it wont heal if its pierced through a scar? Ear piercings are prone to infection, especially when they are new. As a result, getting re-pierced in the same location can be a good location for a piercing to be re-established. Keloids do not heal spontaneously and they may need treatment. About two years ago I got my tongue pierced with no problems, a year ago I tore the piercing due to playing with it. In this article, learn how to recognize an infection, as well as how to treat it. My tongue still hurts, and there are two white scarred over holes on the top of my tongue. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs increase the likelihood of bleeding by thinning out the blood. It is unclear how these complications occur, but one hypothesis is that they are caused by infections from needles, perhaps from contaminated equipment used during the piercing. The prevalence of the jewelry allergy increases with the increase in the number of piercings a person has. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. Privacy Policy & Cookie Disclaimer. There are a lot of modern treatments that can be done to improve scarring and possibly make it able to be pierced. Dip a clean paper towel into the mixture and apply to the piercing for 5 to 10 . While a keloid is growing, it may feel tender or painful. A regular salt water rinse can help with this. Keloid: A case report and review of pathophysiology and differences between keloid and hypertrophic scars. (2014). However, over time, differences will emerge. I do want to clarify - there is a big difference between a "piercing bump" and a "keloid." There is no age limit on piercings or tattoos And you know I'm a huge fan of rose gold, so I bet your hair is beautiful. When a tongue piercing heals correctly, the body treats the wound like a scar. Keloid scars: Signs and symptoms - American Academy of Dermatology However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. Piercing bumps and keloids are different skin conditions that can occur following a piercing. Other times, the piercer can pierce nearby but not directly over the scar tissue of the original piercing. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Crossing Press: Berkeley, CA. Tongue Piercing Healing / Tongue Piercings. Considering laser tattoo removal? (2010). The Answer May Surprise You. Learn more about the causes, treatment, and prevention options here. 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. Certain home remedies are also effective in dealing with keloids on tongue. Considering laser tattoo removal? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Not only is it vegan, but its also completely alcohol and additive-free. Some other risks of a tongue piercing include: In some cases, the body can reject a piercing, which can lead to further complications. For example, hypertrophic scars only occur at the piercing site whereas keloid scars can continue to grow outside the area. Get A Mystery Coupon Immediately! However, what may seem like a problem could also be the result of the natural healing process of your tongue. 1 year is the minimum I will do a piercing through larger scars. Look for jewelry made with steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold. If you dont understand something, ask them. 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. Most people who do this start with a tongue piercing placed where they want the back end of the split to be. 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. 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. Some symptoms of infection include: Piercings heal from the outside in, which means that the outermost tissue of the tongue heals first. (n.d.). Although the bulk of your aftercare takes place within the first couple of weeks, youll need to stay on top of daily cleanings until the piercing has completely healed. Generally, a hypertrophic scar shows up within four to eight weeks. Youll also want to ensure that any jewelry you select for your tongue piercing is of good quality. 2023. Poor-quality jewelry, messing with the piercing, and improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk. Things like eyeglasses, hairpieces, false eyelashes, and . Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. When protocol isn't followed, or if you don't follow post-piercing cleaning instructions closely enough, infection can occur. Complications of body piercing include local and systemic infections, poor cosmesis, and foreign body rejection . who might need a nudge in the right direction. Excessive scar tissue at the piercing site makes re-piercing difficult. The piercing bible: The definitive guide to safe body piercing. Keloid Scars: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Healthline Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Ways to Stop This Pain, Causes of Hiccups at Night During Pregnancy: How Do You Stop It. Sometimes, this type of scar may appear after a piercing. Infections in your mouth can pass into your gums, risking the integrity of your teeth. Despite your piercing hole closing, what grows back is the same tissue as before just scarred. Although not common, keloid can develop in people who have pierced their tongue. These include: Although the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggest applying rubbing alcohol to the piercing, the general guidance is to avoid doing this as it can slow healing. This only applies to standard tongue piercings pierced with a 14 gauge. Part of wound healing involves contraction, which means your skin is pulling itself back together. (n.d.). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Body Piercing (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth Keloid is a type of scar tissue which develops as a growth on or around the site of skin or damaged mucus membrane. If you find yourself developing a hard lump around your tongue piercing, dont panic straight off. The hole wont be completely healed for several more weeks. You can eat almost anything youd like at this point. Until the initial piercing wound heals, trying to treat a scar could make things worse. For most people who take the necessary steps to ensure that it remains clean, a tongue piercing heals quickly and does not cause serious complications. 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. Keloid on tongue usually develops on or near the pierced area. Compromising the integrity of your tongue can lead to difficulties with speech and swallowing. They can offer expert advice and tell you what to do next. Body Piercing Problems - Pain Clinic of North Carolina These needs to be felt and observed to determine their viability for piercing. Less desirable metals are more likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to infection. How Much Does It Hurt to Get the Rook of Your Ear Pierced? The information contained on AuthorityTattoo is intended for informational and educational purposes only.