A lump near or around your tongue piercing isnt an immediate cause for concern. 22, 23 Because of the tongue's vascular nature, prolonged bleeding may result if vessels are punctured during the piercing procedure. Dermal piercings in these areas might be more prone to scarring. I got it repierced about 5 months ago now and there was honestly almost no pain in the actual . However, the healing process can take upward of. I'm not quite there yet, but someday I hope to also be a pierced/modded grandma like you :). After a few days, the wound may also ooze a whitish or clear fluid. To help reduce complications as a result of swelling, the first piece of jewelry that they insert will be larger than the ones youll replace it with. Commonly pierced body parts are the ears, nose, and the belly button. If the jewelry cracks open your skins surface, itll cause more damage, which means more scar tissue. It is a valuable home remedy to treat keloids. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). Oral health topics: Oral piercing. Piercing rejection isnt nearly as common as some other piercing complications, like infections, keloids, and dermatitis. Although not common, keloid can develop in people who have pierced their tongue. This is probably the most common scar I get asked about, and these are very easy to pierce through and totally safe to pierce through as well. Youll need to get an injection every four to six weeks. These scars are much more complex, and I will start by saying that the final say always should be done in person. This is particularly true of piercings that migrated or fully rejected. To use it, steep a chamomile tea bag in a warm cup of water for 3 to 5 minutes. Crossing Press: Berkeley, CA. Removing the stud too soon can increase your risk of tears and infections. As Nazarian says, "Piercing again requires you to injure the skin through scarred tissue," and depending on how traumatized your body was with the original piercing, you may be able to re-pierce the hole. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. A hypertrophic scar is thicker than a normal scar. Apple cider vinegar is another effective home remedy for treating keloid on tongue. While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or advice. If you find yourself in this situation, its imperative that you seek medical care. Dilute apple cider vinegar in a cupful of water. However, people can take steps to keep the area clean, prevent infection, and allow the piercing to heal. You can also use sterile saline instead of salt water. Youll need new jewelry. Always take care of new piercings. Any symptoms beyond this may be a sign of infection or a poor piercing job. 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. Since this is your body actually scarring, keloids can't simply be treated with compresses or by keeping the piercing site cleaned. Corticosteroid injections may reduce scar tissue by fighting inflammation and breaking down collagen. These immune cells might even cause a lump near your tongue. Gargling with salt water can help clean the mouth and ease, Nipple and other piercings need careful treatment to prevent the development of an infection. After the resected tissue is removed, the bottom of the scar is pinched and sewn together. The solution works well on all skin types including sensitive skin, and it comes in a generously-sized mist-spraying bottle for easy application. Apply a topical vitamin E oil to reduce the appearance of scars. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. A tongue bar, particularly a large or heavy one, may knock into the teeth. (2017). Since tongue piercing has gained momentum in this modern day as trendy form of self expression, many young adults have keloid on their tongue. Gargle with the mixture in your mouth one or two times in a day for several days for quick healing. 24 Purulent, . The Answer May Surprise You. Dont fret, and dont give up hope yet! The texture of keloids can differ. Your body is all about self-defense. If youre allergic to ragweed, avoid chamomile. Have realistic expectations, be ok hearing no, and remember we have your best interests at heart always! Although piercings are generally safe when proper hygiene is followed, it's critical to know the risks. Proudly created with Wix.com, Where things become more difficult are scars not from piercings. Bang Bang Body Arts, a custom body art studio in Massachusetts, recommends chamomile soaks in their piercing aftercare guidance. This is because the dense tissue will support the piercing and be less prone to infection. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. A person may experience an allergic reaction on their skin such as a rash, a, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. If you have questions about the establishment performing the piercing, you might try checking with your medical provider. Keloids do not heal spontaneously and they may need treatment. Try a new piece of jewelry in a different size, gauge, shape, or material. It doesnt go past the wound that caused it. (n.d.). Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. Infection of a nipple can cause an abscess and scar the breast tissue. Piercing bumps and keloids are different skin conditions that can occur following a piercing. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Treatment options include: The AAD recommend that people who know that they are prone to keloids avoid getting piercings. What causes a piercing rejection to occur? Do you have a question for Alley, submit it to DearAlley@bodycandy.com for your chance to get featured! 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. Under healthy conditions, your body typically won't create scar tissue around the nose piercing. Before touching the piercing, always wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue. Piercings, while pretty mainstream, are also results of a self-inflicted trauma that your body will need to heal from. Once your tongue piercing has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene. Update on hypertrophic scar treatment. Migration and rejection leave paths of scarring that are more severe then they little scar left from just removing a piercing. 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, How to treat and prevent an infected ear piercing, How to clean nose piercings: Everything you need to know, Around the piercing site but can extend beyond it, Varies, but after forming, it does not grow bigger, May start small and grow bigger over weeks, months, or years, Varies, but it can become darker over time, some whitish fluid coming from the site of the wound, keeping piercing jewelry in, without changing or removing it, for at least, washing the hands before touching the piercing, washing the piercing with a saline solution or gentle soap and water once a day, patting the area dry with a clean cotton pad after bathing or showering and avoiding using a towel, which can introduce bacteria, the products that the piercer uses to clean the area. 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. Eczema types: Contact dermatitis signs and symptoms. Last medically reviewed on January 5, 2021. to see that they don't necessarily have to follow the status quo of aesthetics to be a good person. Common complications of body piercing. If possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating and drinking. Keloid scars are different. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Registered Office: Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St. Julians, STJ 1149, Malta. The long answer? Scars from previous piercings that were irritated when removed, or left more severe scarring such as raised scars, discolored scars, or large scars, must be evaluated on a case by case basis. Your body will only build up scar tissue around a piece of jewelry if that process is easier than pushing out the jewelry entirely. 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. Steroids can weaken the nearby skin, so you shouldnt get more than five injections total. Last medically reviewed on February 27, 2021, Even with the best aftercare, a bump may form around a nose piercing. Generally, a hypertrophic scar shows up within four to eight weeks. Your tongue gets its main blood supply from your lingual artery, which branches off of your carotid. 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. The scar may grow quickly for up to six months before shrinking slowly over time. Since this is your body actually scarring, keloids can't simply be treated with compresses or by keeping the piercing site cleaned. Mayan royalty had their tongues and genitals pierced; during the Victorian era, many women pierced their nipples. The appearance can depend on the location of the keloid, as well as the persons skin tone. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. A tongue piercing has its own set of potential complications. Some people also choose to consume smoothies or other liquid foods for the first few days, until they adjust to eating with the jewelry in place. 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. Home Tongue Piercings Hard Lumps Around A Tongue Piercing. Although its a fleshy piercing in an area with good blood supply, sometimes navel rings can take up to a full year to be totally healed up. It is safest to have a piercer do this. Oral piercing of the tongue, lip, cheek or other soft tissues is a form of body art and self-expression. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Consult with a doctor virtually or in person. Why Does My Tongue Piercing Hurt At The Bottom? 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. 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. There are several methods found useful for eradicating keloids such as cortisone injections, laser, cryotherapy etc. A tongue piercing officially takes between six and eight weeks to completely heal. However, the healing process can take upward of. Some other strategies that can speed healing include: Do not try to treat an infected piercing at home. Hyper-scarring, or keloids, are raised areas of scarring that dont threaten you with any health complications. This means that while the piercing may look less irritated, it . Happy healing! Keep up with your salt rinses, and avoid extensive physical contact with others. Meltzer DI. All rights reserved. Piercing salons may vary in terms of cleanliness and the experience of the practitioner. That's pretty normal, but if I press them just slightly I feel the thick scar tissue inside which hurts a lot. If you get a keloid on an earlobe piercing, itll probably be a round hard mass. Tongue swelling after a new piercing can interfere with chewing and swallowing and sometimes breathing. Most infections are mild, however, and a doctor can easily treat them with oral antibiotics. Clean them regularly and avoid touching your jewelry. Swelling around the tongue piercing is normal. 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. Other skin problems. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Skin wound healing and phytomedicine: A review. Sometimes, cells make too much collagen and a raised scar can form. A keloid forms due to an overgrowth of fibrous tissue. 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. Other symptoms that a person with a keloid scar may experience include: Initially, keloids and piercing bumps can look similar. A tongue piercing creates a wound in one of the most bacteria-filled parts of the body: the mouth. People with deeper skin tones are also 15 times more likely to get keloids. A septal hematoma can develop if the piercing damages blood vessels and the tissue lining the cartilage, causing blood to collect between the two. They can grow and feel uncomfortable. Infections in a tongue piercing can have severe consequences. A person might have trouble talking and adapting to the new sensation in the mouth. The hole may also close up if you remove the jewelry too soon. Severe pain, long-term swelling, trouble talking, and eating difficulties are not normal, but they are treatable. Privacy Policy & Cookie Disclaimer. Speak with a qualified piercer for advice. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. 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. Take a glassful of warm water and add one teaspoon of salt. This can help prevent food and other irritants from getting stuck around the jewelry. Other types of laser therapy remove the top layers of the skin. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you! 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. Keloid does not pain and it does not contain any substance in it except the scar tissue. Medical problems arising from body piercings happen a lot; the incidence of complications could be as high as one out of every five individuals. Gauglitz GG, et al. 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. . A keloid is a raised scar that occurs as a result of trauma or injury to the skin. 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. Belly button piercings have a higher risk because they are difficult to, A look at infected tragus piercings, a condition where a small part of the ear develops an infection. When you injure yourself, your bodys immune system kicks into gear, helping you heal as quickly as possible. If youre prone to scarring, be sure to: Hypertrophic scars are often benign and harmless. Proper aftercare techniques are crucial to the outcome of your tongue piercing. See additional information. It is always best to consult with a professional. Just Answer 5 Easy Questions. Infection of a nipple can cause an abscess and scar the breast tissue. 1. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care for your new piercing. 2022 AuthorityTattoo. It may itch or cause a burning sensation. Indeed, many men with genital piercings have reported complications. You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. If it is too severe, they will be honest with you and decline to pierce you. Built-Up Scar Tissue. The initial piercing can lead to scarring, bruising, and, Initially, piercings are healing wounds, and they can be prone to infection. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Although keloids on the ear are not harmful, they can cause some discomfort. 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. The piercing bible: The definitive guide to safe body piercing. Infection of the lips or tongue may cause speech, chewing, or swallowing problems or swelling that can block the throat. Laser treatment can lighten and shrink scars by dissolving blood vessels in the scar tissue. Having two holes doubles your risk, and the hole that's closest to your, Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. Make sure you know the safety precautions and insist that they are used. 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. However, the advice of a piercer is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor. When rejection does happen, its usually in a flat area of the body. . (2020). The scars can form anywhere on your body, but theyre most common with nose and ear cartilage piercings. Symptoms tend to end when the keloid stops growing, but not always. Keloid: A case report and review of pathophysiology and differences between keloid and hypertrophic scars. Avoid hot beverages, as these can encourage further swelling. Keloid is a type of scar tissue which develops as a growth on or around the site of skin or damaged mucus membrane. To be honest, you probably shouldn't be using either of these things on your piercings. Ear piercings are prone to infection, especially when they are new. The tongue heals from the outside inwards, so it may seem like its healed before it actually is. The Answer May Surprise You. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? 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. Tongue Piercing Questions / Tongue Piercings. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Before treating a hypertrophic scar, visit your piercer. (2010). Today, body piercing remains common in tribal societies throughout Africa, Asia and South America. Mix it thoroughly till the salt dissolves completely. Topical corticosteroid treatments are available as OTC and prescription creams. Until the initial piercing wound heals, trying to treat a scar could make things worse.