How to Treat an Infected Lip Piercing

After getting your lip pierced, it is common to experience mild discomfort, like itching, redness, and mild discharge from the wound. However, if your piercing becomes swollen, very painful, hot, leaks blood or pus, or you feel generally unwell, you may have an infection.

Since the mouth harbors bacteria, infections are likely to occur in piercings in or around the mouth. The more piercings you have, the more likely you'll experience an infection. 

This article explains lip piercing infection causes, treatment, and prevention. 

Types of Lip Piercings

When you think of lip piercings, you may think of a single loop on the upper or lower lip. But, there are dozens of different ways to pierce lips. Some common lip piercing styles include:

• Labret (center of the bottom lip)
• Angel bites (both sides of the upper lip)
• Dolphin bites (two lip ring piercings under the center of the bottom lip)
• Snakebite (two piercings, one on each lower corner of the mouth)
• Medusa (indented part of the upper lip)

Causes of a Lip Infection

Piercings anywhere on your body may become infected. Because, although intentional, they are an open wound. As a result, they are vulnerable to pathogens (germs) that may enter and cause an infection.

The mouth’s moist environment harbors lots of bacteria. Therefore, because of their location on the mouth, lip piercings are especially at risk of infection. 

Signs of Infection

While some discomfort after a piercing is expected, be on the lookout for more serious symptoms that may indicate an infection. These include:

• Excessive pain
• Hot to the touch
• Very red or dark color
• Bleeding or oozing pus

In addition to localized symptoms, you may feel generally unwell. Systemic (whole-body) signs of infection include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

How to Treat

If you have a bacterial infection, you may need antibiotics. That’s why it’s 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. 

OTC Medication

Using OTC medications can help you feel more comfortable while your infection heals. Some things that may help include:

• Pain relievers such as Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Antihistamines to help alleviate itching related to an allergic reaction
• Topical antibiotic (if advised by a healthcare provider)

Home Remedies

In addition to OTC treatments, some at-home treatments can help an infected lip. These include:

• Icing the infection to reduce pain and swelling
• Saltwater rinse to keep the area clean (especially after eating)
• Warm compress to promote drainage

How to Clean

Cleaning your piercing is important, especially if you develop an infecton. Use the following tips to keep your pierced lip clean:

• Wash your hands well before cleaning.
• Rinse with saltwater or dab with a saltwater solution.
• Use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
• Wash the exterior with mild, unscented soap.
• Rinse the piercing with water to remove soap residue.
• Dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

After every meal, brush your teeth and rinse with a saltwater solution or mouthwash. In addition, since hand and bath towels can harbor bacteria, be sure to only use disposable paper towels for drying your piercing as it heals. 

Prevention

Preventing infection starts with good aftercare habits. Be sure to follow your piercer's instructions for keeping the area clean. Some tips include:

• Avoid foods that might irritate your piercing, like spicy or salty things.
• Avoid foods that might stick to your pierced lip.
• Avoid opening your mouth too wide (piercing may catch on your teeth).
• Keep the piercing clean.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Eat nutritious food.
• Wash bedding (especially pillowcases) regularly.
• Take showers instead of baths during the healing period.

Summary

Lip piercings may be more prone to infections due to their location on the mouth, which harbors bacteria. While some tenderness is expected during the healing phase, some things, like excessive swelling, pain, and oozing blood or pus, may indicate an infection is developing. Sometimes OTC medications and at-home therapy are enough to treat an infected lip, but it's always best to check with a healthcare provider to be sure.

A Word From Verywell

If you have a pierced lip, the best way to prevent infection is to follow your piercer's aftercare instructions. Keeping the inside and outside of the lip clean is essential. Your mouth comes into contact with various foods and other items when you eat throughout the day, which means you need to clean it more frequently than you would other body piercings. A good rule of thumb is to clean around the piercing, including the inside of your mouth, after every meal.