WebAnswer (1 of 22): I wouldn't recommend it. Do not let anyone tell you that belly button piercings only look good on people with a flat To learn more, like how to treat your piercing if it gets infected, scroll down. If it's been at least a month since the piercing and everything looks good, you can stop doing these daily cleanings. Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, lakes, etc. If you reach the six to nine month mark and arent experiencing any of the issues detailed in the previous section, you can check the piercing to see if its fully healed. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 539,095 times. While its normal to experience a little bleeding and soreness for a few days, belly button piercings could get infected. Take a shower instead, if you can. Wait a minute or two to allow the crust to turn soft. In your hands, Its removal may close up the hole, keeping the untreated infection inside. Its also not a good idea to go in public pools or hot tubs because the piercing could get infected from whatever gross types of bacteria may be lurking in the water. If sudsy waterfalls on the belly button, its fine as long even though you wash it off only with hot water and avoid scraping the area with your hands. Your response is private Was this From Miley Cyrus to Jessica Alba to Kim Kardashian and Beyonc, belly button piercings are all the rage for stylish, fashion-forward people. If you go to a salon to get your piercing, a trained piercer will pass a sterile, hollow needle through the loose skin of your navel. Put the saline solution in a little cup. You may see your piercing oozing clear fluid that forms a crust around the hole. This removes the risk of picking up an infection from the water in swimming pools, lakes and rivers, and the sea. Heres what to expect: Unlike pierced ears, which take 4-6 weeks to heal, your belly button may not fully heal for up to 1 year. Expect to pay for both the piercing and the jewelry you pick. The piercing also needs room below and behind the flap so that the area doesnt become irritated in the healing process. Gently rub the cotton swab around your piercing until the area is clean. My friend pierced my belly button last night, and I wanted to know what I could and couldn't. Bleeding for the first few days is normal. Can you use sea salt to clean a piercing? Either way, theres no need to panic. And that means you will get an infection if you dont clean it regularly. I thought when it leaked a whitish pus and crustiness it was, "It was a good article. It heals from the outside in, so if you have signs of fluid or crusties then you have a while yet to go.. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Intermittent tenderness around the piercing. If everything feels and looks good, Id recommend going back to your piercer so they can verify that youre completely healed. Water areas like swimming pools, hot tubs, and lakes and rivers should be avoided during the first year after your initial piercing. Helped me know what to do so it won't get infected and, "The signs of infection vs the healing process. Or maybe keeping it clean is your only concern. I have another quick question. You may also want to cover your navel piercing with a large bandage when playing contact sports and in bed, when there is an increased risk of tugging or pulling on the wound. I just got mine pierced yesterday. for the first three weeks after being pierced as they contain bacteria which can increase the risk of infection. Infected Belly Button Piercings: Treatment, Causes, & More, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html, http://share.upmc.com/2015/07/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way/, http://www.skin-artists.com/navel-piercing-aftercare.htm, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317, https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings, https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/piercingcare.pdf, http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/infected-belly-button-piercing.html, http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/infected-belly-button-piercing/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/ear-piercing-infection/expert-answers/faq-20452841, tratar una perforacin de ombligo irritada, Ein entzndetes Bauchnabelpiercing behandeln, Trattare un Piercing all'Ombelico Irritato, Een gerriteerde navelpiercing behandelen, Tahri Olmu Bir Gbek Piercing'i Nasl Tedavi Edilir, (treat an irritated belly button piercing). % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Rinse the piercing thoroughly with clean water, then dry completely with paper towel or tissue. I got my answer. So, which is the superior option? If it does become infected, check to make sure that you are not allergic to the metal. Dont ever let anyone pierce you with a piercing gun! Regular cleaning of the wound is necessary for preventing infection and quickening recovery. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Youll go home with tips on how to keep your new piercing clean and prevent infection. 2 How long does it take for a belly piercing to heal? Sometimes, if you get the wrong type of jewelry, you can end up with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing. Look for places near you that have good Yelp reviews and appropriate credentials (check to see if the piercer is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers). Place a towel beneath you if you're afraid of spills. Use a tissue to wipe any excess oil from the skin. Do this and knock out the cleaning 23 times a day as your cleaning solution for 15 minutes. You can wear gorgeous navel rings occasionally when the piercing has healed completely. Can I go swimming or snorkeling on holiday with a piercing? Thank you. Excessive redness and swelling around the piercing. Type above and press Enter to search. Can you go swimming after getting your ears pierced? You should prevent other pools or collections of water in the same way that you must also avoid using a bath rather than taking a shower. Try to sleep on your back and avoid tanning beds at least for the first couple months of healing. "I been cleaning my piercings with peroxide then I was told not to do that and wanted to know why. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If you develop a chill and fever, you should see your doctor as soon as you can to see if you require antibiotics for a potential infection. You can make your own saline solution by mixing a teaspoon of sea salt with five ounces of water, or you can buy the plain saline solution that is sold at pharmacies. Anytime the jewelry gets moved, your skin could tear. But do you know how to clean your belly button piercing? Wash the piercing with mild soap There may also be some swelling, redness, and discoloration, but these issues should dissipate fairly soon after you get the piercing. Heres an example of what a typical belly button piercing looks like: Unfortunately, if you have an outie belly button, you most likely wont be able to get it pierced. Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business. 1 How do you shower with a new belly button piercing? If youve gotten other piercings in the past, be mindful of how your body has reacted. If you want to make extra sure your piercing doesn't get irritated, wear loose clothing and try to sleep on your back, which will reduce the amount of pressure on your skin. Everyday life, everyday problems. Infections are a risk even in piercings that are essentially completely healed, so dont lose all respect for hygiene after months of vigilance. Feature image: Spookygonk/Flickr, used under CC 2.0. You shouldn't get this done with a piercing gun since it can damage your tissue and raise the chances of infection. It's important to take action on these issues immediately so you can avoid serious health consequences and permanent scarring down the road. Body modifications are no exception, of course, and this is especially true when it comes to piercings. Caring for Your Belly Button Piercing First off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing without washing your hands first! [1] X Research source You should ideally not have a soaking bath until the piercing is through the initial healing stages, and oozing, bleeding and scabbing have all stopped. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Rubbing alcohol slows down the recovery by killing new healthy cells in that area. To prevent any additives that may be damaging to the sensitive place, stick to pure sea salt, which dissolves easily into the solution. If the crust around the piercing is left to build up, it can harden around the ring, tearing at the wound when the ring moves. Here's a rundown of the steps you need to go through to ensure the best piercing experience. Here are some techniques to follow to sleep properly and avoid Some people are disqualified from getting a belly button piercing. From Cyrus risqu, sexy stage shows to Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it looks good with everything. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. They heal slower than many other types of body piercings, and they require a significant amount of aftercare. Continue washing your piercing and the surrounding area once or twice daily until the redness, swelling, and discharge subside. Also, choose a piece of jewelry that you wont get tired of seeing. To reduce your possibility of rejection to migration, you should keep up a good aftercare routine and clean the piercing on a routine basis. Products like Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, rubbing alcohol, and powerful soaps can dry your skin out and destroy formation tissue. Daily cleaning is necessary from the beginning until the piercing has healed completely. After applying the compress, clean the piercing with an antiseptic cleanser, remembering to thoroughly Signs of infection include: See how the area around the piercing is red and swollen? wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Lavender oil is not a substitute for antibacterial soap or saline water. We promise not to bore you with too much science or too many details. Have you just gotten a new piercing? If you ignore this rule, youre asking for an Yes. An infection can create fluid or pus, known as discharge, that can smell bad. Twisting the ring also means that you are touching the piercing more than necessary, which increases the risk of bacteria from your hands being transferred to the navel and causing infection. A belly button piercing is beautiful, and it can be a great addition to your style. Avoid allowing soap to fall on the piercing when youre in the shower. Also, make sure youre fully hydrated and have eaten at least a little something within the hour so you dont feel woozy during the process. Avoid getting any body fluids, like sweat or saliva, near your piercing or it might get infected. Make sure you clean the area regularly until it's fully healed. With a bit of help from us, of course. These chemical compounds kill healthy new cells, extending the healing time. But some health issues can cause adverse effects and slow down the healing. My question is im scared to risk it in the shower so I'm gonna have to be careful while using my shampoo and conditioner. Also, dont forget to clean it every time you sweat. The concentrated UV rays can set back your body's natural healing process. Any piercing place worth its salt will turn away an intoxicated person, both because you dont have the capacity to make good decisions after drinking and because drinking can cause excessive bleeding at the piercing site. How to clean your belly button piercing with antibacterial Soap and Water. This saves you the effort of determining whether or not you added the correct measurements. Swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and river systems should really be prevented within the first year following your initial piercing. References Cup your hand under the piercing and allow clean, warm water to run over it for a minute or two. In addition, these substances prevent the growth of healthy new cells within the piercing, which slows down the healing process. A saline solution is the safest option to clean the navel area. Allow the water to cool slightly, then transfer it to a clean glass or medicine cup. If your belly button gets especially swollen, is significantly painful, and/or continually bleeds or discharges fluid, see your doctor as soon as possible. However, it is important that you always clean your piercing after exercise or periods of intense sweating (even if you've already cleaned it that day), as sweat can irritate the piercing. Can my 13 year old choose to live with me? If you dont have a solid flap of skin on the top of the belly button, sometimes piercers can go for the lower lip of the belly button instead (though this is a rare option). If you want to have a belly button piercing, take steps to prevent problems: If the jewelry has irregular surfaces, your skin will grow to fill those areas. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The best time to apply this oil is after washing the navel area. If you ignore this rule, youre asking for an infection. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Always use a mild soap with no scent because a strong antibacterial soap can be too harsh on the sensitive tissue around your piercing. If you've had your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, rinse with an alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before you taking oral antibiotics). Ask questions; get answers. Taking it out could cause further complications, including the formation of abscesses in the area. That includes lotions, oil, and perfume. Rub the area with a cotton ball soaked in a saline solution. Irrespective of which route you choose, it is recommended that you clean your piercing between two and three times per day until it has fully recovered completely. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Treat-an-Irritated-Belly-Button-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-an-Irritated-Belly-Button-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Treat-an-Irritated-Belly-Button-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Treat-an-Irritated-Belly-Button-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"