Swelling from an infected piercing can range from an annoying irritation to an abscess (or pocket of pus). This should be no cause for alarm. White pus is produced when the infection is minor. You can effectively change out a belly button piercing yourself, but you have to be completely sure that your piercing is fully healed before doing so. This is much larger than the jewelry used in a typical ear piercing, which is 1 mm or less in diameter. Again, anytime theres an open wound on your body theres a risk of something funky getting in and creating an issue. Even if the piercings angle in relation to the navel cavity is different, however, the same principle described above applies: one ball should rest directly over your belly button, the barbell should go through the inner wall of your navel cavity, and the outer ball should sit somewhere between 1/2 and 1 away from your belly button. Avoiding an infection during that time requires a commitment to cleanliness. If the skin around your piercing is consistently and noticeably red, irritated, and itchy, you may be having an allergic reaction. Just be careful about where you go to get your piercing and your long-term aftercare, cautions Dr. Hodes. Pat the area dry with a paper towel. Unless you have an outie belly button or are getting a non-standard navel piercing, your piercer will likely insert the needle approximately 1/2 above your belly button, and then pull it out through the belly button cavity. Symptoms can include pain, redness, and. Its also less likely to ooze. To make your own soak, boil water for at least 5 minutes to sterilize it, measure out 1 cup into a heat-safe container, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt (not table salt, which contains iodinewe recommend using. You must wash your piercing twice daily with a salt solution and clean cotton swab to prevent bacterial growth and infection. Salt water can help to soothe and clean a healing piercing, but only if the salt water is mixed properly. In some instances, you may be faced by circumstances that force you to remove your belly button piercing ring. In addition, be even more careful to wear loose, breathable clothing so that your piercing stays as dry as possible. The cost of a belly button piercing varies from place to place. It is recommended that you clean the infected piercing twice each day to cure it. Following some simple procedures will make caring for your belly button piercing a breeze: Wipe your piercing two times a day with natural, skin-friendly treatments, particularly while it's healing. If you've had one for years, it can close in a few weeks, but for some people it can take longer. These prolong the healing process. You can use a sanitizer to be certain. Since the belly button does not heal fast, you will need to be patient enough and give it the necessary time for it to heal. Where the discharge is too much, it will form crusts around the jewelry. While most belly button piercings heal without issues, bacteria can infect the area before healing is complete. The belly button piercing healing process takes between six and twelve months. If your piercer tries to place your belly button piercing so high that the bottom ball is outside of the navel cavity, theyre performing the piercing incorrectly. Does getting. Hypergranulation occurs as the result of excess moisture and/or pressure, which can both be an issue with new belly button piercings. Belly button piercing healing times vary from person to person. Once I landed on the jewelry, it was time to get down to business. Commit to cleaning the piercing at least twice a day, too. At any time, a little dirt can get trapped in the fistula and cause swelling and irritation, so its best to just stick with the longer jewelry for at least the first few months. Stage One: As is evident in this picture of a fresh belly button piercing, the area is swollen and red. As always, make sure youre getting pierced by a reputable and knowledgeable piercer. Their adjustable-length, extra-long shafts can be cut to the perfect size for you, and each one features a beautiful jeweled charm. But you can limit your pus potential by following these tips. If youre really concerned about pain, you can ask your piercer to apply a. beforehand. Lets start with the basics: Even when a belly button piercing goes well, you can expect some tenderness, redness and even crusting at the spot for 12 to 18 months. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems, Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy, Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Who Should Not Get a Belly Button Piercing, Oral Piercing Risks, At-Home Care, and Warning Signs, Laser Tattoo Removal: Find Out How to Get Rid of That Tattoo Youve Always Regretted, Possible Medical Risks of Vaginal Piercings. : Our gold belly button rings are made from solid, 14-karat yellow or white gold. To get rid of the swelling and red coloration, apply ice on the piercing. This provides an excellent environment for bacteria. Di. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol and dies as well. While getting pierced, talk to your piercer on what to expect day by day so you can watch out for red flags indicating infections, migration and rejection. These will help prevent you from discomfort, scars and constant swelling which are associated with trauma on piercing. Be consistent with the aftercare for quick healing. The area around the piercing may be slightly tender, but this should subside as the piercing continues to heal. An abscess could also form around the piercing. Dr. John P. Cunha on MedicineNet.com says that some symptoms of an infected belly button piercing are: 2. Jewelry made from lower-grade metals such as nickel, cobalt and chromates is more likely to cause issues. When you're in the private piercing room, the navel will be cleaned with alcohol. If youre experiencing hypergranulation, you should ramp up your aftercare routine to 3 sea salt soaks per day, along with additional saline rinses in between. Step 2: Pick a Belly Button Placement. Choose from plain bent barbells and belly button rings with a charm loop, where you can attach any charm to create a completely custom look. : These unique belly rings are framed by decorative loops that beautifully encompass your belly button. To maintain the piercing, leave . Use a mild soap to wash the area once in a day and soak it in a saline solution twice each day. During this healing process, it is important that you retain the initial jewelry. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic qualities and will help moisturize your skin. The absence of the healing symptoms mentioned above can be taken to mean that the piercing is healed. This may be accompanied by the piercing getting sore swelling, itching, redness and formation of pus. Since at this point the wound is still fresh, expect some pain as well. Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact checker. If they tell you to take out your jewelry, dont worryits actually better to leave your jewelry in while taking your antibiotic so that infected fluids have a way to drain out. (i.e., a bent barbell with a decorative end) is less likely to put undue stress on the fistula, which is the hole where you were pierced. That cute little ring decorating your tummy looks fantastic, too. Do not touch your new belly piercing unless you are cleaning it but before you clean your piercing remember to wash your hands thoroughly and then don't touch your new piercing for any reason, just it alone. Just as cleaning the piercing is essential in the healing process, the same applies to clearing an infection. And, as mentioned, while six to eight months is the typical healing period, it could take up to a full year. : @wild. No more no less. A skin condition around your belly button (like a. I suggest coming to the studio for the first change, says Valentini. The same applies if the itch is accompanied by formation of rashes or bleeding. Most piercings heal within about six weeks, but some might take several months or longer to heal. Before handling the piercing, ensure your hands are clean then use cotton swabs soaked in the solution to wipe the area gently. However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. You can then insert the taper into your piercing and use it to pull the rest of the jewelry through. We hope this guide answered your questions and helped you better understand belly button piercings, the belly button piercing healing process, and the types of jewelry you can wear with a belly button piercing. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. An infection can lead to bright red marks or discoloration on your skin. While belly button piercing is great, it requires a lot of care for it to heal well. It's best to talk to a professional piercer about which piece of jewelry will work best for you. You need to be pierced just far enough back from the lip of the belly button, and you should start off with at least a. . According to Outland, the top of the jewelry usually comes unscrewed, allowing for the jewelry to be slipped out and easily replaced in the same manner. Use these saline wash wipes as a nose piercing cleaner, belly button cleaner, or earring cleaner for pierced ears. If that happens, see your piercer immediately and ask them to swap out your current belly button ring for one with a longer barbell. Allow warm water to run over your piercing when you shower (but dont scrub your navel piercing with soap; letting sudsy water run over the piercing is fine). If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. You want to leave it in place to keep the hole open if possible, directs Dr. Hodes. Wash your hands to remove bacteria that may infect your piercing. We get into the details of these as well as how to rid the piercing off itch, pussing and swelling. In most cases, this can be noted by the ring tending to look bigger that it initially was as the piercer always gives room for swelling when inserting the jewelry. Typically featuring a curved barbell, this style has a plethora of options and adornments like stones, jewels, or charms hanging off the end of the ring. Belly buttons are . While earlobe piercing is very common and usually straightforward, your belly button is probably an area of your body that doesnt really want to be pierced, says Dr. Hodes. . The only time the new piercing should be handled is when cleaning it. These elegant designs are the work of highly skilled local craftsmen who we partner with. Before touching the piercing while cleaning it, ensure that your hands are clean. Although rare from a piercing, an infection that takes root and rages could leave you with a fever and chills. Hold the container firmly as you stand upright, and hold it tightly against your skin for 5 minutes. Stages of a Piercing's Healing Process After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. 2. The scab that had formed earlier on will fall and new skin will form. You shouldn't get this done with a piercing gun since it can damage your tissue and raise the chances of infection. While some people just want to emulate their favorite pop stars and divas, just as many people use navel piercing as a form of self-expression. Where can I get initial body jewelry you may ask? You may experience persistent redness around the belly button and soreness that is simply a symptom of healing. We picked a number of pictures two further illustrate the three stages of the healing process. Also avoid over cleaning it as this causes it to become too dry. If you suspect an allergic reaction, you may want to try oral antihistamine or a topical hydrocortisone cream from your local pharmacy, advises Dr. Hodes. You need to be pierced just far enough back from the lip of the belly button, and you should start off with at least a 14g belly button ring. While this may at times lead to infections, bad smell are not always indicative of infections. Belly button piercings do not heal fast like some you may have had. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Halloran L. Body Piercing: Avoiding Complications. Swelling, reddening and bleeding slightly are also normal in the first days. During the day, you can spritz or rinse your navel piercing regularly with a saline wash, like, You should also perform sea salt soaks at least twice per day. A healing belly piercing should be pink and healthy, without any signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or pain. New piercings can be problematic and often need to be removed as your stomach stretches.). These tend to reduce with time. Keeping the area as. You should allow the piercing to heal on itself and your responsibility is to just keep it clean to help speed up the process. Repeat this process at least twice a day but no more than three times a day until the piercing is fully healed. Avoid cleaning your new piercing with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bar soaps, liquid soaps, and never apply any kind of ointments as these can over dry skin, damage healing cells, harbor bacteria, corrode body jewelry and prevent necessary air circulation. If youre still interested in a belly button piercing, the best place to start is to find a licensed, experienced piercer who will work with your anatomy to give you the best piercing. These cells then travel down the tunnel formed by the piercing until it all gets covered. When first getting your belly button piercing and during healing, it is best not to wear high waisted jeans as these will rub and put pressure on your piercing. In case of too much sweating, an old piercing will smell. The Complete Guide to Industrial Bar Piercings, What to Know Before Getting Your First Snug Piercing, Considering a Snake Bite Piercing? Reducing the pressure on the healing fistula will increase your chances of having a successful belly button piercing that doesnt slowly migrate out. This is the secondary healing stage and marks the second phase of the belly button piercing healing stages. ), then let the mixture cool off. Stage Two: In this image, the swelling has subsided. Heres how to recognize and treat the most common belly button piercing problems. Heavier design elements will be featured up top, however, the great thing about this style is that you can wear the jewelry however you like, hence the name. Belly button piercing procedure. To make sure that the belly button piercing healing is smooth, you need to pay attention to the aftercare procedures. My experience Piercing my belly with a fat stomach. Excessive rubbing or friction can irritate your skin and delay healing. If you keep the piercing clean, odds are youll have no issues and will just be able to enjoy your new bling.. Navel piercings can range in cost, but they're $40-$60 at most piercing places. These though should subside with time and should be minimal after two months.Past the initial stage of the healing process, the presence of pus on the piercing may indicate an infection. You will notice a clear or slightly yellowish discharge which may form crusts around the jewelry. In case the pus is green or yellow, the infection is severe and you should have the piercing checked. Itchy belly button piercing is a common occurrence. The healing process absolutely depends on how careful you are with your newly pierced navel. How much will it cost? We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Also, the process of changing jewelry can irritate a healing belly piercing, particularly if youre using externally threaded belly button jewelry, which isnt recommended because it can scrape the delicate healing fistula. With this being the case, how do you know when your belly piercing is healed? Avoid rubbing the wound with a towel as this could irritate the piercing. This phase tends to be a short one and the piercee is advised to be very careful when handling the piercing. Bent barbells make ideal belly button jewelry because the shape is a good fit for the area being pierced. And how should you treat that festering hole? A belly button piercing will most likely take anywhere from six months to a year to fully heal depending on how you care for it and your day-to-day lifestyle; however, the most common time frame is between six and eight months Regardless, its important to check with your piercer when you believe its healed before stopping aftercareif it's still healing, the site could become infected. Ensure it is wrapped up and apply it on and off for five minutes until you feel better. Avoid those with waistbands that run across the belly button and opt for those cut to be worn low. Yes, it is important to clean any crust or discharge off of your new belly button piercing to prevent irritations that could lead to infection. Continued use of saline soaks can clear it. Other than this, it is also possible for an infected piercing to discharge pus. You should try to avoid changing your belly button ring until your piercing is fully healed, which can take between 3-12 months (see above). With old piercings, the itch could be caused by the jewelry. Swelling can occur in both a new or old piercing. Among some of the signs of a healed belly button piercing include the skin around the piercing ceasing to be red or pink and becoming uniform with the surrounding skin. Finish up by patting the area dry using paper towels. Bent barbells make ideal belly button jewelry because the shape is a good fit for the area being pierced. Use paper towels instead of cloth since the later comes with the risk of transferring bacteria which cause infections. You could pay anywhere from $35 to $60 for a belly button piercing, depending on where you go, but $45-$50 is the average. Remember to clean the piercing regularly, avoid touching it with dirty hands, and be patient while it fully heals. If you're going to show off your belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way to do it. Also sterilize the rings before putting them in and after taking out. Do the same if you experience swelling, pain, redness past the initial stage and for extended duration of time. Step 5: Pay Your Piercer.