How to Heal a Tongue Piercing Infection Fast

You have your beautiful tongue piercing after deciding for so long to get one, and unluckily, it is acting up. Nobody wants to deal with this painful situation that comes as a result of an infection from tongue piercing.

Do not ignore signs ranging from swelling to a full-blown infected tongue piercing.

We have some valuable tips for detecting and healing a tongue piercing. Let’s break it down from why it happens, how to fix it, and how to ensure your piercing heals properly.

Reasons Why Tongue Piercings Get Infection

Your mouth is a wild place, harbouring millions of bacteria. When you add a new shiny tongue piercing to the mix, expect things to get messy, especially if you're not careful. These bacteria can sneak into the fresh piercing wound, leading to an infection of the tongue piercing.

Here’s usually why it happens:

• When you unnecessarily touch your piercing with dirty hands (just don’t).
• Get to eating super spicy or acidic foods days after piercing.
• Not using premium tongue piercing jewellery that irritates the wound.
• Skipping aftercare because you “feel fine.”
• Letting saliva (or worse, someone else’s saliva) mess with the healing process.

An infected piercing doesn’t mean the end of your piercing journey, though. If you act fast, you can stop things before they get worse.

Main Signs of Infected Tongue Piercing

Sometimes, the early signs of infection look like typical healing signs, but they are full-blown trouble. Here’s how to tell:

• Not expected, but extreme swelling (if your tongue is ballooning, that’s a red flag).
• Throbbing pain that gets worse instead of better.
• Yellow or green pus (yeah, not cute).
• A weird smell coming from your piercing tongue infection site.
• Red streaks moving away from the piercing (this means bacteria are spreading).
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing (seek medical help ASAP if this happens).

If you’re seeing any of these signs, it's time to take action.

How to Fix an Infected Tongue Piercing ASAP

Do not remove your jewellery when you feel early signs of infection until a professional tells you. By taking it out, you are trapping the infection inside, worsening things. Instead, follow this step-by-step fix-it plan:

Step 1: Rinse With a Saltwater Solution

This is your new best friend. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into 8 oz of warm water. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds, focusing on your tongue piercings. Do this after eating, drinking (except water), and before bed.

Step 2: Apply Ice

If the swelling is making you miserable, suck on some ice chips or drink ice-cold water. It helps bring the swelling down and gives you some relief. Just don’t go biting into anything crunchy yet.

Step 3: Keep It Clean

Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, as they can be too harsh. Instead, use an alcohol-free antiseptic rinse after meals. If you’re out and about and don’t have a rinse, plain water is better than nothing.

Step 4: Take Anti-Inflammatories If Needed

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help if your infected tongue piercing aches your whole face. Follow the dosage instructions, and don’t go overboard.

Step 5: Avoid Kissing and Oral Contact

Your piercing is off-limits for now. That means no kissing, no oral activities, and definitely no sharing of drinks or utensils. Bacteria from someone else’s mouth can make things way worse.

Step 6: Upgrade Your Jewelry If Needed

Cheap metals can cause irritation, which might be part of your problem. If your jewellery is low-quality, swap it for high-grade titanium or surgical steel tongue piercing jewellery. This reduces the risk of allergies and irritation.

How Long Does a Tongue Piercing Take to Heal?

The healing timeline varies, but on average, here’s what to expect:

• Initial swelling and tenderness: 3-7 days
• Major healing: 2-4 weeks
• Fully healed: 6-8 weeks (but up to 3 months for some people)

If your piercing is infected but you’re taking care of it, it should improve within 24-48 hours. If it worsens, check in with a professional piercer or doctor.

When to See a Doctor

If your symptoms don’t improve or start worsening despite proper care, don’t wait it out. See a doctor if:

• Your swelling is making it hard to breathe.
• You develop a fever (the infection could be spreading).
• You see red streaks moving toward your neck.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Getting a tongue piercing is fun, but dealing with an infection? Not so much. Stick to good aftercare, listen to your body, and don’t rush the healing process.