Due to frequent contact with saliva, food, makeup, and other bacteria, lip piercings may be more prone to infection, especially during the initial healing stage. Infected Ashley piercing becomes a common problem among people who like lip piercing.
Find out how to handle an infected lip piercing and when a visit to the doctor is necessary. We also cover lip piercing aftercare and infection prevention.
What Are the Symptoms of Infected Ashley Piercing?
Once your lip piercing is infected, it will give you some early warnings, usually the infection symptoms contain:
- Redness.the lip especially the piercing hole become red.
- Minor Swelling, when this happen, you will feel that your lip may occasional throbbing, not control by you.
- Bump at the front or back of the piercing, it is a little serious.
- Persistent Warmth, because of the white cell is doing its function to battle the bactoria, caused the blood to speed up, so feel warm.
- Clear or White Discharge, as the infection become more serious, some tissue fluid exudes from the body.
- Worsening Pain, allert you that you should pay more attention to the wound.
- Excessive Bleeding, go to the doctor right now!
- Pus, to get some cure.
- Fever, go to the doctor to get some medicine.
Read More:
Causes of Ashley Piercing Infection

Your body may become infected if you get piercings anywhere. since they are an open wound even though they are done on purpose. As a result, pathogens (germs) that could enter and cause an infection are more likely to affect them.
Lip piercings are particularly susceptible to infection because of their location on the mouth, which is a moist environment that is home to a lot of bacteria2.
How to Treat Infected Ashley Piercing?
Antibiotics might be required if you have a bacterial infection. Therefore, if you see any indications of infection, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation. Additionally, you might be able to treat your infected lip using over-the-counter (OTC) medications and DIY treatments.
OTC Medication
You can feel more at ease while your infection heals by using over-the-counter medications. 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
Some at-home remedies can help an infected lip in addition to OTC remedies. 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
It’s crucial to clean your piercing, especially if you get an infection. Use the following tips to keep your pierced lip clean:3
- Before cleaning, thoroughly wash your hands.
- Use saltwater as a rinse or a solution to dab on the skin.
- Use a mouthwash without alcohol.
- Use mild, unscented soap to wash the outside.
- To remove soap residue, rinse the piercing with water.
- With a paper towel, dry completely
Brush your teeth after each meal and follow up with mouthwash or a saltwater solution. Additionally, only use disposable paper towels to dry your piercing as it heals since hand and bath towels can harbor bacteria.
Related Post: Ashley Piercing Aftercare
Watch What You Eat and Drink until It’s Fully Healed
It’s important to watch what you eat, particularly if you have a wound in your mouth—in this case, an infected piercing.
Do’s
Concentrate on eating soft foods that won’t irritate your lip piercing as it heals. This includes yogurt, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes.
Anything chewy might need an extra salt rinse after eating. Drinking water is the best option right now.
Don’ts
Spices such as peppers, chili powder, and others can aggravate existing pain and discomfort.
Alcohol can thin the blood and harm the skin cells near the piercing. Your recovery time may take longer as a result, and complications may arise more frequently.
Additionally, coffee might thin the blood. Reduce your usual intake until the infection is gone if you don’t want to take a short break.
When is It Time to See a Doctor for Ashley Piercing Infection?
As was previously stated, you might want to keep an eye out for worrying symptoms like discharges, persistent bleeding, and excruciating pain on the lip. Bleeding is particularly concerning because lip piercings aren’t supposed to bleed for a long time. There may be some blood after piercing, but because the body has its own clotting factor, it will eventually taper off.
Pus is concerning because bleeding and pus together can quickly cause tissue damage on the lips’ small surface area.
Summary: How to Treat Infected Ashley Piercing
Lip piercing is a common body piercing style that is preferred by piercing enthusiasts.
However, due to the unique position of the lip piercings, they are frequently in contact with saliva, food, cosmetics, and other items. As a result, they are easily irritating and allergic, especially during the perforation’s healing process.
Sometimes over-the-counter drugs and at-home treatment are sufficient to treat an infected lip, but it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional to be sure.
Related Post: How Long Does An Ashley Piercing Take to Heal?
FAQs
What Does An Infected Lip Piercing Look Like?
A lip piercing that is infected might look swollen, dark in color, or red. Additionally, it might be dripping pus or blood.
How Long Does It Take An Infected Lip Piercing to Heal?
It typically takes six to eight weeks for a lip piercing to heal.
How to Get Rid of Bump on Inside of Lip Piercing?
A sea salt solution is a natural way to keep the piercing clean, help it heal, and reduce any swelling that may be causing an unsightly bump.