how do you heal an infected belly button piercing?

Question

i just got mine pierced and its showing the first signs of infection - what should and shouldnt i do?

Answer 1

Mine got infected big time!
I tried alot of different stuff like the stuff they give you at the place (forgot what its called)
I also used warm salt water and I continually cleaned it with alchohol.
I also used peroxide to get the infection out.
And also the chlorine water in pools hlped heal mine even though they tell you not too!
GOod luck it took my belly button about 8 months to heal!

Answer 2

Treatment for an infected belly button ring:

Even if after all your care, your belly button ring still gets infected then you should treat it immediately and very seriously.

- The first thing you might think of doing is removing the belly ring. But if the navel is discharging pus, DO NOT remove the belly button ring. If the ring is removed, the hole of the piercing will shut and the pus will not be able to drain out properly. This can result in a very painful abscess.

An abscess is a type of infection caught under the skin. Symptoms of an abscess include pain, swelling, and darkening and hardening of the tissue surrounding the piercing. An abscess can generally be treated by oral antibiotics, but in some cases it may need surgical removal.

Sometimes an abscess may form even if the infected belly button ring is not taken out, mainly if the piercing is very swollen or the belly ring is very tight around the piercing. In such a case it may be advisable to change your belly ring and use one with a thinner gauge.

- To increase blood circulation to the pierced navel and allow the infection to drain, a hot compress should be used. Soaking the piercing in hot salt water is also very beneficial. Use teaspoon table salt in 8 ounces of water. (Epsom salts cannot be used as they are not the same as sea or table salts). The container used for the soaking should be thoroughly disinfected. Hot compresses should be disposable and preferably made from clean disposable materials such as cotton balls and gauge bandages.

- Over-the-counter antiseptic creams can be used in treating mild infection. But these should not be used for an extensive period of time or for any puncture wound.

- Hydrogen peroxide can be used for draining pus and clearing the infection around the belly button ring. Not to be used for aftercare though.

- In case of a systemic infection (when bacteria and toxins spread throughout the body via the bloodstream) treatment should be immediate as this type of infection can be fatal. Standard treatment requires oral and intravenous antibiotics.

Any infection that does not clear within a few days, or an abscess should be shown to a certified medical practitioner. In some cases the infection can be cured and the piercing is just fine. In others, because of the infection the hole may close and you have to get another piercing done. This does not mean you can never have a belly ring. It just means that you need to let your belly button heal and then try again. In the end, its going to be worth the trouble!

Answer 3

Get some hydrogen peroxide- bought over the counters at certain chemists- you may have to visit a few- I think it's 4% you need, but ask. It is the most amazing stuff, it literally fizzes any bad stuff out of the piercing and then you just wipe it away. I have used it and I have a friend who is extremely pierced and swears by it. Be prepared that belly buttons can take a long time to heal- I think it was a year or two before mine was reliably healed and I never had a bad infection.

Answer 4

Clean it about three times a day, don't take it out especially if there is pus coming out of it. It acts as a drain and if you take it the infection will be stuck there and get much worse. Use H2Ocean spray 3-6 times a day. Just spray it on and let it soak in. You can buy it from a piercer or online, just do a search for it. Don't soak in water it allows the bacteria to build up inside your piercing. Use an antibacterial soap to clean it and never touch it unless you have washed your hands first. Moving it around in the shower while cleaning it is okay, but don't move it around if your not cleaning it, it pushes the germs right back in. If that don't work see your Doctor it may be that you are allergic to the steel that the ring is made out of. So, take good care of it and call your doctor or piercer if it don't get better. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

I'm not sure using dettol would be a good idea :-!
Go to the doctor straight away!! he'll give you some antibiotics, make sure you take them as and when you are told and finish the course.
Make sure you are keeping it clean with a sailine solution. You make this by adding some salt to boiled water left to cool. You MUST boil the water fist (leave it to cool for five minutes) because it kills all the bacteria in the water. Put the solution in an egg cup, put it over the whole piercin and shake it. To clean difficult bits thoroughly, use a cotton ear bud (those things you use to clean your ears) Also, make sure you wear loose clothing so it doesn't irriate it

Good Luck
:-)

Answer 6

You will probably be fine just using tcp or something and keeping it clean and dry but if it gets worse make sure you do something about it! a naval piercing is the most dangerous kind as it can lead to internal problems and even infertility if the infection worsens. This only happens in very rare cases but keep it in mind if it gets really nasty!!!

Answer 7

if it is truly infected, take it out. clean the area well, and keep it clean. it may need to be seen by a doctor if it's too infected. you might be allergic to piercings (i am, and my body rejected the piercing). if you do feel like you must keep it in, watch it carefully. if it starts looking worse, please do the sensible thing and remove it.

Answer 8

take out the ring or whatever, wahed three times daily with antisceptic and hope for the best., 'cause there is a good chance u caught it in time to heal and the anticeptics will kill the germs and u be ok I really believe

Answer 9

Neosporin

Answer 10

Dont clean it too much, I would use antibiotic ointment on it (use Neosporin), it helps every time i get an infected piercing.