I'm from New Zealand so obviously there's no chance of me coming in to get it checked out but i got my tongue pierced on friday. So far it's sweet, most (if not all) of the swelling has gone down and I'm capable of eating solid food again. I have a few concerns though.
My tongue has gone kind of pale. In your feedback, you have said this is "normal" due to over-cleaning. I have been using an antiseptic mouthwash designed for oral piercings. Or is it thrush? How will I know the difference?
I'm not sure whether my tongue is infected or not. You've stated that a discharge is "normal" but said that a discharge can mean it is an infection. When I lift my tongue up (to expose the bottom ball) and leave it there for a minute, a white yellow thick mucus comes out of the hole. It used to hurt to do this but now there is minimal pain.
If I look in the mirror at my tongue (held at the right angle), I can see into the hole where it has been pierced. It's kind of red raw looking but it's also got this white mucus in there; but none of this mucus comes out from the top. What is it and if it is an infection how can I treat it with out having to go to the doctor?
How long will it be until my tongue has healed enough to not contract anything from kissing etc.?
In front of my top ball it looks like the skin has been pushed up, somewhat like a "barrier". I can't remove it, and have established that it is part of my tongue. How long is it before this goes away and lets the ball sit on my tongue properly, rather than sitting in a "dent" in my tongue?
Thank you so much!
Everything that you are feeling is quite normal.
The skin in front is probably due to the way that the tongue was pierced and the gauge. The thinner the gauge, the more apt it is to move and cut the tongue. Playing with it will create this as well, so try to leave it alone.
The white mucus underneath your tongue is Sub-Lingual Epithelia. It is a normal part of the healing process, and should NOT be removed.
If you had thrush, your tongue would have raised bumps, it would be extremely dry and sandpaper like feeling. You have not described such a feeling and from what you have written, its normal to have these experiences.
We suggest that you wait a couple of weeks before you start kissing. There is nothing that says something will happen or will not happen if you start earlier. You will have to be your own judge. Of course, do not kiss someone who has a cold flu as you may have a better chance of getting it.
Keep in touch
