Can you remove a body piercing when your sick?
May 16th, 2009 | 
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I've had my tongue pireced for two years and I know that your not supposed to remove a piercing if it's infected. But what if you have an infection in your body? I have an upper respitory infection and I know this might sound like a stupid question but I'm 7 months pregnant and you can never be too careful…
If you've been pierced for two years, your tongue piercing should be healed. It is not likely to be any more vulnerable to infection than the rest of your mouth as long as you practice good oral hygine.
Removing your tongue ring right now seems like an increase in risk rather than a decrease. Trying to close an opening in your tongue while your body is fighting an infection puts the piercing at more risk for collecting germs. Having your jewelry in place allows your piercing to be cleaned by saliva and mouthwash. If it picked up any dirt/germs and then closed around it you may end up with more trouble rather than less.
I think your piercing will be fine where it is for the duration of your respiratory infection. If you'd like to remove the piercing once you're healthy again, that shouldn't be an issue. Just remove the jewelry and keep the area well cleaned.
As a note, many people (almost the majority) can't remove their tongue rings for more than a few hours without them beginning to close. So if you're going to remove the piercing, be prepared to give it up forever or have it repierced later. This speedy closing can be an advantage since it reduces the time in which debris can get into the piercing. It can be a real aggravation if you were hoping to wear the piercing again later.
Posted in Body Piercing
Personally, I'd remove it. Ask a Dr. to be sure.
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You should be fine taking it out if it's been pierced for two years. It's highly unlikely that you'll get/have an infection in the sight of the piercing just because you have an upper respiratory infection. But I completely understand your concern.
If and when you decide to put the barbell back in you should gargle with listerine for a few days, just like a new piercing, to be safe. Sometimes, after having it out for a while, even if it's been healed for years, it can seal up a little and you may tear that seal a bit when you re-insert the jewelry. I have this problem with my belly button every once in a while.
You're right. . .you can never be too careful
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I have a few body piercings including tongue. I can take it out for weeks and still have no trouble puting it back in when I want.
If you've been pierced for two years, your tongue piercing should be healed. It is not likely to be any more vulnerable to infection than the rest of your mouth as long as you practice good oral hygine.
Removing your tongue ring right now seems like an increase in risk rather than a decrease. Trying to close an opening in your tongue while your body is fighting an infection puts the piercing at more risk for collecting germs. Having your jewelry in place allows your piercing to be cleaned by saliva and mouthwash. If it picked up any dirt/germs and then closed around it you may end up with more trouble rather than less.
I think your piercing will be fine where it is for the duration of your respiratory infection. If you'd like to remove the piercing once you're healthy again, that shouldn't be an issue. Just remove the jewelry and keep the area well cleaned.
As a note, many people (almost the majority) can't remove their tongue rings for more than a few hours without them beginning to close. So if you're going to remove the piercing, be prepared to give it up forever or have it repierced later. This speedy closing can be an advantage since it reduces the time in which debris can get into the piercing. It can be a real aggravation if you were hoping to wear the piercing again later.
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Normally, removing jewelry from an infected piercing will cause an abcess.
If you're on antibiotics for your respiritory infection, then you will be fine.
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