Tongue Rings

[MsLady06]

Do you ER nurses see a lot of patients coming in with tongue infections?

[MikeyJ, RN]

Really can't add to that question as I am not an ER nurse -- however, I just read an article on CNN a few days ago about a young female who pierced her tongue, received an infection, and ultimately died from meningitis.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I can only think of one patient that had an infection from a tongue ring. I would think that because it is sterile needle done under aseptic technique that there should be very few serious complications. That being said if you are seeing an increased incidence of tongue ring infections I would venture to say that it is probably d/t a particular studio/piercer using inappropriate techniques.

[vashtee, RN]

The CDC says the incidence is rising.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol8no8/01-0458.htm

[Penny8611]

The CDC cites the biggest problem: piercing is largely unregulated. I wish that would get changed...there are really good, reputable body art establishments, but they can be hard to find. Sometimes people don't do their homework, or frankly...don't think it's that big of a deal.

I work with a guy who came in one Monday with a new tattoo that he did not remember getting. Any place that would accept working on a person that inebriated probably isn't too concerned about how the autoclave is running. :-( (And no, I'm not in nursing yet...this guy is not a health care professional.)

[dria]

although i'm not an er nurse, i am a (former) owner of a tongue piercing. more than any of the other forms of body art, tongue piercing requires a huge commitment to proper self-care: it is necessary to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after putting anything in your mouth...even plain water. my tongue literally turned blue from all that listerine!

makes me wonder: is the increase in infections a result of poor practice on the part of the pierce-er, or is this another example of the poor self-care that is on the rise in all conditions?

[ktliz]

although i'm not an er nurse, i am a (former) owner of a tongue piercing. more than any of the other forms of body art, tongue piercing requires a huge commitment to proper self-care: it is necessary to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after putting anything in your mouth...even plain water. my tongue literally turned blue from all that listerine!

makes me wonder: is the increase in infections a result of poor practice on the part of the pierce-er, or is this another example of the poor self-care that is on the rise in all conditions?

piercing anything other than the earlobes is a big deal. i've had just about every part of my body pierced at one point or another (you could never tell it by looking at me!) the tongue isn't a difficult piercing to heal but it is a little different because you are constantly putting it in contact with food and drink. i just wanted to add, though, that listerine is inappropriate piercing aftercare; a good piercer will recommend alcohol-free mouthwash.

[Xbox Live Addict]

I work in a plasma center. A new body piercing of any kind (as well as any tattoos) requires a year deferral from the date it was done; the FDA and CDC consider piercings and tattoos to be high-risk for hepatitis. For that reason, we must keep accurate annual documentation. Anyone who gets a new piercing, doesn't tell us, and continues to donate is permanently deferred once it is found out.

[NicoleERRN, RN]

I have seen a couple infections from piercings.. also had one girl come in with pain 10/10...s/p hoo ha piercing!!! hmmmm....i wonder why??

:smackingf

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

My ex-husband got a huge infection in his leg after a tattoo as did a former co-worker - These things do happen because tattoos and peircings are not regulated as much as they could be.

[frenchfroggyAPRN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN]

We haven't seen any tongue ring infections in our ER, but have seen several folks come in with chipped teeth from their tongue ring and expect us to fix them.

[MsLady06]

okay thanks for all the information. :)