Labret piercings are susceptible to bacterial infections, such as staphylococci, contact dermatitis and allergic reactions. Receiving a labret piercing from a professional piercer and following the aftercare guidelines given are the best ways to avoid an infection. Infections are possible from equipment or needles that are not sterilized properly. If a person offering to pierce your labret does not work in a professional, licensed shop, he will not have access to a regularly spore-tested autoclave that renders equipment sterile after a cycle. Boiling equipment or receiving equipment via mail does not render them sterile. Only an autoclave provides blood-borne pathogen-free equipment.
The full healing period for a labret piercing is generally six to eight weeks for a healthy client. The labret piercing is susceptible to infection during and after the healing period. The first two weeks of healing consist of the most swelling and exuding of fluids and forming of crusts. The skin around the piercing is red and itchy. The client is likely to feel mild discomfort.
Redness, swelling, crusts and excretions are normal reactions of a healing labret piercing, known as irritation.
An infection in a labret piercing has odorous and thick exuding fluids. These fluids are yellow, green or gray in color and are coupled with severe pain or swelling. Red streaks around the labret piercing also indicate an infection.
Indications of an allergic reaction are a red or itchy rash or the hole of the piercing opening that is a larger size than the jewelry. Visit a professional piercer to inquire about the symptoms to identify an infection. Clients commonly mistake irritation for an infection.
In the case of an infection, a professional piercer directs a client to a physician. The professional piercer reminds the client of the aftercare guidelines and discusses the client's daily routine and cleaning schedule to determine why the infection occurred.
Jewelry must remain in the labret piercing if the client has an infection. Removing the jewelry prevents the infection from draining and leads to abscess. Labret piercing infections arise from a client refusing to follow aftercare guidelines or from the client choosing to receive a piercing from a non professional. If the piercee cannot take care of a labret piercing for at least eight weeks or cannot pay a professional to perform the piercing, the piercing should be avoided.
Parents considering this piercing for their child need to assess the maturity of their children and if the child is responsible enough to care for an open wound. Professional piercers commonly discuss with parents the hygiene habits of the child and if the child is resistant to daily chores before performing the piercing on a minor.
An infection in a labret piercing is easily avoided by following the aftercare guidelines given by the piercer. These guidelines include daily cleaning of the piercing, keeping the hands away from the piercing and avoiding deep kissing and oral sex.
Researching the piercer and the shop performing the piercing is key to avoiding an infection. Take a tour of the shop and ask the piercer about a background in blood-borne pathogens training, a spore-tested autoclave and biohazard receptacles for used needles. A piercer who is educated in sterile and aseptic technique and who uses properly sterilized instruments ensures a minimal chance of infection.