Lip Infection. What to do?

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Friday July 11th, 2008 @ 11:33 AM

Filed under: Lip/Cheek

5 days ago, I woke up and my lip piercing was swollen, warm and was giving out yellowish pus. I didn’t over look this, and went straight to the doctors, where they told me to take it out. I know the dangers of trapping an infection in the body if it was taken out, so I havn’t. So I got some antibiotics. Since I got it pierced I’ve been doing salt soaks, and mouthwashes and everything right (I’m a clean freak) So there is no reason for it to be infected.

So it cleared up after these 5 days, no swelling, no pus, i thought it was getting better. But I woke up this morning, to find that it was swollen and pus again!!

I do have half a course of antibiotics left, but I don’t want it to keep reacurring. How do you blast an infection so it doesn’t come back?

And is it adviseable to get it changed to a stud in this condition (I think I may be knocking it in the night) because I dont want the jewlery being chabnged, to push the infection furhter in if you get me. And also would it cause more aggrivation.

Correct me if I am reading this wrong but did you discontinue your course of antibiotics after you thought the infection had gone? If so, this is very dangerous as the dosage is designed to be enough to kill the bacteria causing the infection. These little critters are clever things and if you don’t fully kill them by not finishing a course of antibiotics they can then adapt to become immune to that particular type of antibiotic. This is one of the reasons that MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) is so prevailent. People reading this - if you are prescribed a course of antibiotics you MUST complete the course, even after all the symptoms have subsided. I cannot emphasise the importance of this enough.

As for contracting an infection, well, we can take precautions (such as being pierced in a sanitary studio by a respected piercer following all the right protocol and following good aftercare advice) but sometimes it can be down to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also, if you have an infection that you weren’t aware of, that can become systemic and find a home in a fresh wound. Like if you are recovering from a sore throat. Your body may be doing a good job of dealing with it but a simple piercing can be enough to tip the scales. These things happen. The best advice I can offer you is to finish your course of antibiotics and if it hasn’t started to show signs of clearing up towards the end, go back to your doctor as you may need another course. Continue with your aftercare regime and once the infection has cleared up switch to a sterile labret stud (as mentioned in a previous post, I am not a fan of BCRs in fresh lip piercings - a feeling shared by most of my friends in the industry). Good diet and hydration will also be of benefit to you.

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