infected bellybutton piercing?

Question

i got my bellybutton pierced around 6 months ago and it still hurts sometimes and is red all of the time i want to keep it in though have you got any advice? like what to clean it with or do i need to get a different bar etc your answers would be much appreciated im really worried help!

Answer 1

alright.. if there's yellow puss.. that's a sign it's infected..

clean it with non scented anti bacterial soap when in the shower..

also do sea salt soaks twice a day for at least five minutes.. fill a shot glass with warm water and dissolve some salt in it.. put the glass over the piercing and let it soak.. you may also use saline..

use a little bit of bactine spray on it.. there's a bit of pain killer in it.. don't drown it in it though..

do not use neosporin, alcohol, or peroxide on it.. these dry your piercing out and trap infection inside.. your piercing needs to heal from the inside out..

do not play with it.. you shouldn't touch it unless your cleaning it.. and if you're not cleaning it in the shower then wash your hands first.. playing with it is what spreads germs..

and it'll take up to a year to heal full.. don't go changing the ring.. you'll just irritate it.. if you would like to change to a higher quality ring then go and have your piercer change it..

when in doubt.. call your piercer..

i hope this helps..

Answer 2

I have three piercings in my navel (a ring on each side and a barbell in the middle, in case you were wondering) and I suggest antibacterial soap as described by others, a sea salt soak over the area, and a dab of tea tree oil on the top and bottom of the piercing. The oil has healing properties and will also help dry out any infection without irritating the skin. Also, don't pick at it! Ever! The only time you should touch your piercing is when you are cleaning it. Make sure you are not allergic to your jewelry as mentioned above and good luck.

Answer 3

Wow, that one girl gave a SUPER long, very unnecessary answer. Bellybutton piercings getting infected is VERY normal. It happens to just about everyone who gets one. Just keep cleaning it regularly. They have this piercing cleaner with a mermaid dude on it at Hot Topic. I'm sorry, I don't know what it's called, but that stuff works if you wanna buy something extra to clean your piercing with.

Answer 4

This could be an allergic reaction to nickel contained within the jewllery (surgical steel and lesser grades of gold are normally alloyed with nickel - 8-12% in SSS). If your jewellery is titanium (easily recognisable - it's either silver with a hint of blue, or is coloured), your problem is most likely an infection, as titanium is (as far as I'm aware) completely hypo-allergenic.

In either case, you need to consult your doctor, to determine the exact cause of the pain and redness.

Everybody here has given you good advice - for a recent piercing, but you state that you have had it for 6 months, in which case you could be allergic to nickel (remember, low grade gold contains it too) or you may have a high-grade infection (which can be cured with antibiotics), or both.

The only way to be sure is to see your doctor.

Good luck

Note: my info on SSS could be out of date - it may not be alloyed with nickel anymore in the UK, but it would be wise to check.

Answer 5

You should go back to where you had the piercing done and get the cleaner they sell. I can't remember what it's called but that is your best bet. I would also apply antibacterial ointment to help if there is an infection. Also, make sure you're not wearing clothes that are going to irritate it. Tight pants/hose right against the piercing will irritate it. My sister had the same problem but nothing she did helped and she just had to take it out.

Answer 6

I would take the ring out. Wash the area with soap and water like regular. Then I would use neosporin to help slid the ring back in. But not alot of neosprin. Then I would use a q tip and clean it three times a day with peroxide. Do not use bactine!!!!! Take the ring off and clean the hole every night.

Answer 7

get some sea salt add to worm water put in a cough syrup size cup and soak 2 times aday

Answer 8

Clean it good with salt water and bactine. You could be having a reaction to the metal. Go back to the place you had it ppierced and have them look at it.

Answer 9

Ugh, I hope this works out for you. I had the same problem, and tried anti-bacterial soap, using warm salt baths, and using baccitracin ointment, but eventually my hole ripped. I had taken the jewelry out, but it was just too late :-/

Answer 10

Clean it with salt water, and make sure it a real Gold bar you have in,

;-)