AboutBrian Skellie Expertise I can answer questions in regards to and not limited to: jewelry safety, specifically material, shape, proportion, and related issues; aseptic technique and sterilization as it applies to piercing safety; ethical issues of technique and bedside manner; the aftercare and recovery process for piercings.
Experience
Past/Present clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences. http://www.piercing.org/ Body jewelry design and safety expert: Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)
Member AAMI (www.aami.org)
Research advisor and educator for the APP for over a decade(www.safepiercing.org) teaching advanced studio setup, sterilization and equipment management, freehand piercing, aseptic/sterile technique and much more.
Distributor for SciCan StatIM sterilization and cleaning products. http://www.piercing.org/statim/
Expert: Brian Skellie Date: 6/13/2008 Subject: Tongue & cartilage piercings
Question A little over two years ago, when I didn't no any better, I went to my local Wal-Mart Jewelry department to get my cartilage pierced on both ears. They never really healed until I received an antibiotic about 6 months later to clear it up. I still have these ugly keloids (smaller than a green pea) on the back of my ears. I was wondering if I could get them pierced the correct way using a hallow needle or let them be. The specialist I went to told me he would not remove them unless the grew uncomfortable, but to leave them alone and they will disappear. Exactly 2 months ago I got my tongue pierced. After a week I changed the barbell to a shorter one that was recommended to me. The barbell layed in an uncomfortable angle in my mouth so I took it out. About a week after that I noticed a bubble on the bottom of my tongue that was clear looking. The bubble would burst after it filled up and repeated that pattern for two more weeks. Now it is a white bump. I still want to pierce my tongue. What should I do? A person like me should give up after so much bad luck.
Answer The ear cartilage should never be pierced by a gun, as you have found out. They can be re-pierced in many cases. You should consider having the scars treated by a dermatologist before you have them re-done.
The tongue piercing may have intersected with a salivary duct, causing the swelling and bursting. The white bump should go away with time, and allow for re-piercing in a correct placement within a month.
