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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Done Tongue Piercing. Sore Throat, Swollen Lymph Nodes And Gums, Hurts To Eat. What Should I Do?

I got my tongue pierced several months ago and has been healed for some time. The past couple of days I ve developed an extremely sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. Also, my gums have become swollen and it hurts to eat anything. The area around my tongue ring is also sore and swollen. Would it be from the tongue ring? What should I do?
Fri, 19 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
hi,
thank you for your query.
thank you for the detailed history.

yes,it seems like you've acquired the infection from the tongue ring.sometimes piercings dont heal properly and hence the infection spreads to the surrounding areas.and oral cavity being a place where continuous rotation of germs is present,infection is common.

i would advise you to-
-not to take a piercing out as it can lead to further complications.
-Keep it clean. Wash your hands well before treating your piercing, then wash the piercing once or twice a day with antibacterial soap.Remove any developed crust with with a cotton swab that has been moistened with antibacterial soap.
-Stay out of the pool. Avoid pools, rivers, lakes, hot tubs, and other places that may harbor infectious bacteria.
-start a course of anti-biotics and anti-pyretics,also pain killers if the pain persists for more than 3 days.

consult an ENT specialist for temporary removal of your piercing till the infection subsides.

thank you,
wishing you good health
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Done Tongue Piercing. Sore Throat, Swollen Lymph Nodes And Gums, Hurts To Eat. What Should I Do?

hi, thank you for your query. thank you for the detailed history. yes,it seems like you ve acquired the infection from the tongue ring.sometimes piercings dont heal properly and hence the infection spreads to the surrounding areas.and oral cavity being a place where continuous rotation of germs is present,infection is common. i would advise you to- -not to take a piercing out as it can lead to further complications. -Keep it clean. Wash your hands well before treating your piercing, then wash the piercing once or twice a day with antibacterial soap.Remove any developed crust with with a cotton swab that has been moistened with antibacterial soap. -Stay out of the pool. Avoid pools, rivers, lakes, hot tubs, and other places that may harbor infectious bacteria. -start a course of anti-biotics and anti-pyretics,also pain killers if the pain persists for more than 3 days. consult an ENT specialist for temporary removal of your piercing till the infection subsides. thank you, wishing you good health