Bellybutton piercing looking strange - infection?

Question

So I got it pierced like a week ago, and it's been healing beautifully, but yesterday I noticed like, brown crust on the top part of the piercing?
It doesnt hurt or burn or anything, but it's different color of crust that usually formed.
I just want to make sure that theres noting wrong with it, isnce I am on vacaiton and can't visit the doctor until next week.

Answer 1

Ack! These are some downright scary answers I'm reading!

1. NEVER put ointment on a piercing, it creates an anaerobic, unbreathable environment- piercings are different than cuts or scratches because they need to heal through the skin, not just on the surface. Applying ointment slows healing by trapping pus, dirt, dead skin cells, etc inside the piercing.. Just.. don't put ointment on piercings.

2. Don't put alcohol, spirits, hydrogen peroxide, etc on piercings. This is very rough and abrasive to the skin, and irritating the freshly pierced skin just increases your risk of infection.

3. Don't rotate it, this spreads around bacteria and dirt. It's an old wives tale that it'll get stuck if you don't, it'll be fine, just don't touch it, leave it alone... Wash it with antibacterial soap very gently, but don't try to pull the soap through the piercing.

As far as your question... Normal healing may include:
- Pus-like discharge/"crusties" - this is lymph oozing out of the piercing site as your body works on repairing the tissue. Completely normal. My advice is to leave it there, trying to take it off can increase your risk of infection if you are messing with the piercing site. If you must get rid of it, do a warm saline solution (the kind you use for contacts) soak, and carefully clean it with some sterile gauze.
- itching - this is actually a very good thing, if it is itchy, it means the skin is rebuilding
- mild redness/irritation - of course the skin is irritated! There is a piece of metal going through it! This is normal for the first week or so.

Things to watch out for:
- Green or foul smelling discharge
- Extreme irritation- if it looks like the skin is "avoiding" the metal, it may be an allergic reaction- just have the jewelry changed out to 100% surgical grade titanium.
- Pulsating or burning pain

Other than that.. trust your body. Let it do it's thing, don't mess with it by touching the piercing or overcleaning it, and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

I had my belly button pierced nearly two years ago and its pretty normal to get some kind of crust forming, its basically just the skin healing

Just get a cotton tip and dip it in some methylated spirits and clean around the top where the crust is,
Also don't touch it and pick at the crust because it will just get more infected

Answer 3

It is normal. It will go through different stages while it is healing, and it has the longest healing process of all piercings. Keep it clean. Put alcohol on it to clean it, and then use an antibiotic ointment. Do this several times a day to help it stay clean and moisturized.

Answer 4

I had mine pierced and it did the same thing. Do Not take it out whatever you do. Clean it with water and dial soap then use neosporin. Make sure you rotate the ring too so all the ointment gets inside. Do this and after a week or so it should be fine.

Answer 5

keep it clean and remember to rotate it if it gets swelled and becomes red see a doctor I have had mine for many years and remember it takes about 6 months to heal and build that sheath of shin that the ring will be in

Answer 6

you can get it re-pierced. i did. it might hurt a little more since its going through scar tissue but you'll live haha. if you dont want to go through that kind of pain consider gettin the bottom done. it looks super cute

Answer 7

It the site is red or tender, or has any drainage, please seek medical attention. You might consider the application of warm compresses.

Answer 8

have a doctor check it out