I just had my tongue pierced on Saturday and it is still swollen a bit.......is there anyhting I can take?

Question

I have been taking Tylenol but it is not really helping..I am allergic to aspirin. Thanks!

Answer 1

Tylenol is not the best thing, it kills the pain but not the swelling. . i'd suggest lots of ice, or both times i had mine pierced i kept a big box of those freezer pop style ice lollies, the cheep ones and ate like 5 a day!! the cold will reduce the swelling and numb any discomfort- plain water is best for the ice but like i said i got bored of that and went on to the ice pops!!

If you are worried about it at all, please do not take it straight out your self but pop back to the guy that did it- he'll be just as worried about it turning out okay as you are, and have him look at it. if needed he should be the one to take it out for you in a safe and clean way.

Answer 2

Tylenol will only help with the discomfort. My advice is to drink plenty of cold drinks and foods since cold usually reduces swelling. However, I should warn you that it isn't uncommon for a tongue piercing to become infected and swell from that too. If the swelling doesn't go down within a few more days you should probably take out the piercing.  

Answer 3

When I got my tongue pierced I just ate ice cubes all the time for about a week- just let them melt on your tongue. They are good b/c they are a really cheap way to numb your mouth to the pain, plus the ice helps the swelling go down. You should also try to gargle with salt water (NOT LISTERINE- it's too harsh!) which also helps it heal in a gentle way.

Answer 4

# Comfortable: 3 days to 2 weeks

# Healing Time: 6 months

# Rinse frequently with warm salty water.

# Ask for your piercer's mobile phone number.

# Avoid putting anything dirty in your mouth and refrain from kissing and oral s*x during the healing phase.

# Cold foods are best at first (e.g. ice-cream, milk shakes).

# Do not play with the jewelry against your teeth or press it into your gums.

# Never leave your jewelry out for more than a few hours during the first 6 months - the piercing may close.

# Take vitamin C and zinc to maximise your healing.

# To minimise swelling in the first few days, suck on ice-cubes and antibacterial/anti-inflammatory throat lozenges, and try not to talk too much

*  Day 1

         1. Advice

            Ask for the mobile phone number of your piercer. Misery is common during the first few days and you may worry about the swelling. I like to be available for re-assurance or advice.

         2. Bleeding

            The tongue has an excellent blood supply so expect some blood in your mouth during and just after the procedure.

         3. Pain

            You will experience some soreness for the first day or so. Paracetamol (e.g.Panadol, Tylenol) is an appropriate pain-reliever which may help you to sleep on the first night. Do not use aspirin as it promotes bleeding.

        Days 2 - 5

         1. Cold Drinks

            Keep a supply of iced water on hand and sip this as required to reduce discomfort and swelling. Sucking ice cubes will also help.

         2. Food

            At this stage it may be difficult to talk and eat because your tongue will be swollen. It is important to maintain your food intake during the healing period. High-calorie foods (e.g. milkshakes, ice-cream) will keep up your energy levels – if you do not eat enough, the healing process may be delayed. Cold foods are better tolerated than hot foods.You should avoid anything spicy, or stringy foods that may get caught on your new piercing.

         3. Mouthwashing

                o Rinse your mouth with salty water as often as you like. The correct proportion is 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 ounces (250mls) of bottled water. Sea salt can be purchased from supermarkets or delicatessans. Do NOT use iodised salt as the iodine slows healing.

                o Try sucking antibacterial/anti-inflammatory throat lozenges such as Difflam ® to reduce the swelling.

                o Use a disinfectant mouthwash after eating:

                      + Biotene ®

                      + Listerine ®:It should be diluted to a quarter of the usual strength – otherwise the mouthwash will destroy your naturally occurring enzymes and kill the exposed healing tissues.

                      + Oral_B ®

                      + Rembrandt ®

                      + Tech 2000

                o If your tongue turns brown or green this is a sign that you should reduce the amount of mouthwash that you are using.

                o Do not use mouthwashes or toothpastes containing peroxide.

         4. Pain

            After the first day you should not need any more pain relief.

         5. Plaque

            Buy a new soft bristle toothbrush. If any plaque forms on the jewelry itself, gently remove it with a toothbrush.

         6. Swelling

            You may experience some swelling on Day 1, but the worst swelling occurs during Days 2-4. The swelling often feels much worse than it really is. Ice and cold drinks will help reduce swelling. Hot foods, spicy foods, talking a lot will tend to increase the swelling.

         7. Worry

            It is common to feel a bit depressed and anxious at this time. As a doctor I very occasionally supply the patient with two diazepam 5mg tablets and ask the patient to take a quarter of a tablet night and morning. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety agent. It helps relax the muscles of the tongue and relax the patient. You should not drive if taking diazepam. If you are in a drug rehabilitation program you should discuss taking diazepam with your sponsor or doctor.

      

    * Days 6 - 14

         1. Changing Barbells

            Your initial barbell is usually longer than the your tongue is thick, to accommodate swelling. After 5 - 10 days most people will see their piercer to fit a shorter bar.

         2. Healing

            A tongue piercing should be very comfortable after 2 weeks. However the piercing is not permanent till 6 months have elapsed. Don’t play with or chew on your piercing as this can lead to the formation of scar tissue.

         3. Hygiene

            Avoid putting anything dirty in your mouth and refrain from kissing and oral s*x during the healing period.

         4. Safety Check

            You should check that the ball is firmly screwed on to the barbell about once a week. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing.

         5. Warning

            Never leave your piercing without jewelry for more than a few hours during the first 6 months! Even after this time a fully healed piercing may shrink, making it difficult to re-insert the jewelry.



Piercing Options and Jewelry Choices

    * Suitable Positions

         1. Midline Piercings

            Correct Positioning is critical with tongue piercings. The correct place is in the midline, on the front third of the tongue far enough back so that the jewelry does not hit the teeth when speaking but not so far back that the piercing is stretched when swallowing or yawning. The further back the piercing the worse the swelling and pain during the first week.

             *

         2. Side Piercings

            Piercings at the side of the tongue should only be undertaken by very experienced piercers.

         3. Horizontal Piercings

            These are very likely to cause nerve damage and are never recommended.

    * Suitable Types

         1. Bar bells

            Internally threaded bar bells are better as they cause less damage when changing jewelry. If the bar is externally threaded, be very sure that no threads are exposed and avoid taking the jewelry in and out. Ask whether a range of balls and accessories is available as people like to wear different balls at different times e.g. fluoro balls when night-clubbing, clear balls at work. Jewelry is also available that is flesh coloured and inconspicuous.

         2. Captured bead rings

            Rings are sometimes used at the side of the tongue but are not recommended as a first tongue piercing.

      

    * Suitable Sizes

         1. Gauge

            Only 14 gauge or heavier jewelry should be used. Smaller gauges will migrate out through the tongue and be very uncomfortable to wear.

         2. Initial Barbell Length

            5/8" to 7/8"

            16mm to 22mm

         3. Eventual Barbell length

            7/16" to 5/8"

            11mm to 16mm

      

    * Suitable Materials

      Surgical Stainless Steel, 18 carat gold, titanium, niobium.

      

    * Changing Jewelry:

      It is best to change jewelry during the two weeks, but this is best done by a professional piercer. After that time it should be easy to change jewelry yourself.



Other Issues

    * Alcohol

      Drinking alcohol decreases your co-ordination and increases the risk of biting your jewelry and cracking a tooth. If you do drink, choose low alcohol beverages such as beer or cider. Any drink with more than 10% alcohol is likely to hurt and will impair the healing process.

      

    * Aspiration

      Be aware that with tongue piercing, aspiration is a risk if the ball unscrews from the barbell and roles back down your throat into your windpipe. The ball may then lodge in your lungs. This is a medical emergency: Call an ambulance.

      

    * Bacterial Infections

         1. Infections are uncommon with tongue piercings. Avoid putting anything dirty into your mouth (e.g. chewing pens and fingernails).

         2. Even though your mouth harbours more bacteria than any other part of your body, the washing action of your saliva and the enzymes it contains improves healing.

         3. Refrain from kissing and oral s*x during the healing period.

         4. Symptoms of infection include increased pain, increased redness and an increase in the amount and thickness of the discharge. The infected discharge is usually thick and yellow, green or grey and may have an unusual odour. Consult with your physician or piercer and do not remove the jewelry until you seek advice.

      

    * Cleaning

      Expect to see white material collecting around the balls of your barbell. This is a sign of healing. Gently clean this material away with a soft toothbrush. Never use undiluted mouthwash or alcohol to clean your piercing. These will kill the healing flesh.

      

    * Mouthwashes

      I advise against the use of mouthwashes such as Listerine. After several days of frequent use the tongue surface usually turns green or brown and looks decidedly unhealthy. Please just use plain salty water.

      

    * Smoking

      Smoking is used as a method of cooking food. Smoked tongue is a delicacy in some cultures. Smoking your own tongue is your own personal choice. I cannot recommend it. Smoking slows healing by suppressing your immune system and blood circulation.

    * Teeth

         1. The most obvious risk of tongue piercing is chipped or broken teeth. This usually occurs through biting the bar bell, especially in new piercings with the initial longer bar bell. To minimise the risk, change to the shorter barbell before Day 14. Acrylic balls may reduce the risk as well.

         2. Most common is loss of the enamel at the back of the teeth through repeated rubbing by the jewelry.

         3. The most serious risk is loss of teeth through bone resorption. Repeated pressure on the teeth or the bone of the jaw sup

Answer 5

First off, Tylenol isn't an anti inflammatory, and that's what you need.  If you're allergic to aspirin, then try Ibuprofen, that should help.

Also, another thing that will help with the swelling is to drink lots of cold water, and to brush your teeth and use mouthwash at least twice a day.

Your tongue can stay swollen from a piercing anywhere from three days to a week, and eating certain foods can make the swelling worse.  Try to stay away from anything that's really salty or spicy until the swelling goes down.

Also, if the piercing gets infected, do not take it out!  If you take it out, your skin could close over the infection, and cause an abscess, which will take longer to heal, be very painful, and could cause death if untreated.  If you think your piercing is infected, then the best thing you could possibly do is see your doctor, and get on antibiotics.

Answer 6

eat ice it will help with swelling and  relieve some of the pain.  

Answer 7

Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory; that may help.

Gargle with warm salt water, that's REALLY soothing.