How long does it take for a belly piercing to heal? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Discharge may be thick and yellow or green in color, and it may harden into a crust around the piercing. Just follow these guidelines: Before applying soap, soak your navel area for a few minutes (do it during your shower for convenience). If this happens a lot, youll get scarring and it may take even longer to heal. NO!!! Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. After the piercing has been done, some care you can give it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing. Most reputable piercers will not take this risk. You have to clean it regularly and not pick at it. If you want to keep your piercing for the long term, put jewelry in it all the time. Put a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton bud and dab on your piercing hole. Also, these substances will dry out the skin, causing irritation. Repeat this step twice a day, and voila! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lie down on a sofa or bed to allow the piercing to soak in the salt solution for 10 to 15 minutes. 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). While having a new piercing, avoid bathing in tubs and swimming in pools, lakes and other open water areas as these tend to harbor bacteria which can cause Most people rate navel piercings as a 4 or 5/10 on the pain scale. Youre about to look so cool. Can my 13 year old choose to live with me? Showering with a New Belly Button Piercing You should never soap up a new belly piercing directly, because soap can dry out your skin and irritate a new piercing. Even if you believe that your belly button is the ideal candidate for a snazzy new piece of jewelry, you should know that some health risks come hand-in-hand with getting this type of body piercing. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It heals from the outside in, so if you have signs of fluid or crusties then you have a while yet to go.. Remove the crusts gently with a wet cotton ball, and then use the liquid soap to wash the piercing area and navel ring. This article has been viewed 803,229 times. From Miley Cyrus to Jessica Alba to Kim Kardashian and Beyonc, belly button piercings are all the rage for stylish, fashion-forward people. To disinfect an infected piercing, hold a saline compress against your belly button for 10 minutes. Avoid going to sketchy booths in the middle of the mall or really any place that doesnt look like a doctors office when you get into the piercing room. 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. It is essential to maintain this cleaning routine to avoid infection during this period. taking oral antibiotics). A belly button piercing is when you have a ring or other ornament through the skin around your belly button. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter, Everything you need to know about keeping your body bling comfortable and clean. Clean your piercing every day with saline solution or a mild soap, taking care to wash around both piercing holes and your belly button. Many people prefer to use gentle soaps like Cetaphil. They clean the spot by lathering a tiny amount of soap in the palm of their hands and softly washing your piercing to consider removing any crusts that may have formed around the piercing. Yellowish-green discharge with a foul odor, Prolonged redness around the piercing, especially if it gets worse over time, Skin around the piercing is hot to the touch, Abdominal pain (in really serious cases, the infection can become internal), Consistent acute pain (although slight bruising and occasional sharp pain from movement are normal), If you think you have an infection, first of all, contrary to what you might think, you should. In addition, these substances prevent the growth of healthy new cells within the piercing, which slows down the healing process. If the doctor suggests, apply an antibacterial cream or take antibiotic pills. Just leave it alone and let it heal except for when you need to move it around a little bit to clean it. A. 4 Can I go swimming or snorkeling on holiday with a piercing? ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? 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. You may be able to rub a small bit of antibacterial cream around the piercing to soothe the infection, but use it sparingly. Excessive cleaning can cause skin irritation and dry out the area. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. Another issue that is common with belly button piercings is migration and rejection of the jewelry. I have another quick question. It does not store any personal data. Bleeding for the first few days is normal. The piercing will be red and sore for about two weeks at most. Of course you do. References. I list some suggestions for people with sensitive skin in the choosing your jewelry advice in the previous section. 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). Last Updated: December 15, 2021 Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Clean oral piercings with mouthwash. This article has been viewed 803,229 times. Piercers should be trained professionals who are completely dedicated to their craft: Youve got to be careful about how often you clean your navel piercing. 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. Daily cleaning is necessary from the beginning until the piercing has healed completely. Is Forex trading on OctaFX legal in India? 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. These can store bacteria and may pull or otherwise irritate your piercing. Typically, belly button piercings go through the lip of skin above the belly button. WebWhen can I take a shower after belly button piercing? In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. I got my answer. Prepare one teabag of chamomile and 100ml of water. Try to sleep on your back and avoid tanning beds at least for the first couple months of healing. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Lavender oil can be purchased at the supermarket or chemist's. Consult a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. Try using chamomile. In your hands, Its removal may close up the hole, keeping the untreated infection inside. How long does it take for ear piercings to heal? It is important not to go with an amateur piercer. Yes. The best way to care for the piercing is to. A Comprehensive Guide. To learn more, like how to treat your piercing if it gets infected, scroll down. Caring for Your Belly Button Piercing First off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing without washing your hands first! Lather your hand and gently rub the pierced area. Many argue that mild soaps are appropriate for washing the new piercing. If youre over 18, make sure you bring an official form of photo ID like a drivers license or passport. Taking it out could cause further complications, including the formation of abscesses in the area. Your response is private Was this However, it does not remove dirt, cream residue or skin oils. Center for Young Women's Health: "Body Piercing. In this section, I'll talk about how to spot signs of trouble with your piercing. ", American Family Physician: "Complications of Body Piercing. Unlike pierced ears, which take 4-6 weeks to heal, your belly button may not fully heal for up to 1 year. Stay away from ionized salt and rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, if you get the wrong type of jewelry, you can end up with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing. So, how do you keep your belly button crumb-free? Then, rinse with clean water and dry out the area. Do it once or twice every day. Rest the edge of the glass beneath your navel piercing, then quickly flip it over, pressing firmly to prevent any water from leaking out. An irritated or infected belly button piercing can be super irritating and painful, so its no wonder why youd want to clear it up fast. Heal It Now! Ask below and we'll reply! The concentrated UV rays can set back your body's natural healing process. They should be done once or twice a day while the piercing heals. There may also be some swelling, redness, and discoloration, but these issues should dissipate fairly soon after you get the piercing. How do you shower with a new belly button piercing? You may need to return to the piercer to get the jewelry taken out if the infection has become too severe. Once upon a time, belly button piercings were only for people who wanted to appear edgy, dangerous or not like the other girls or boys, but now its becoming more and more common. Share your thoughts living the best life here. healthhema Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It refers to piercing through the skin around your belly button to wear an ornament. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap, then apply a couple of drops of the lavender oil to a clean cotton bud and rub gently around the piercing. Body modifications are no exception, of course, and this is especially true when it comes to piercings. If youve gotten your ear or nose cartilage pierced before, that type of piercing usually hurts more than a belly button piercing. Youre not only thinking about what looks good but also what materials are safe for your skin after the piercing heals! DO NOT TAKE A BATH!! I just got mine pierced yesterday. So how do you keep your piercing clean? Epsom salt, Kosher salt, and iodized sea salts because contain additional chemicals that may irritate the skin. Take your doctors advice first if you have or are any of the following: A. You may clean the piercing sporadically after this point if you continue to see evidence that it isn't fully healed. If it extends past two weeks, see your doctor. But some health issues can cause adverse effects and slow down the healing. Be sure to use sea salt to make your solution, not table salt! During that time -- as well as after -- you'll need to take extra care of this area. After applying the compress, clean the piercing with an antiseptic cleanser, remembering to thoroughly The materials that are least likely to irritate the piercing site include surgical stainless steel, surgical titanium, Tygon plastic, and solid 14K gold. Wait a minute or two to allow the crust to turn soft. One Day We Will All Die, used under CC 2.0. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Is it normal for a navel piercing to be red and sore after the first week, even if it is washed daily? take a shower, it's so much better for new piercings. Web6. You can still do sit-ups and other exercises when your piercing is healing as long as you dont experience too much discomfort from the movement. Soap is effective for removing dirt cream residue and skin oils from that part of the body. Whenever you work out, wash your belly button as soon as possible. In the saline solution, dont use kosher, iodized or Epsom salt. After recovery, you can clean your piercing whenever you clean your belly button (which could be every time you take a shower). Excessive redness and swelling around the piercing. It's important to know what's normal and what's not. Wash the piercing with mild soap This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Show the signs by image of an infection just so we know. Tags: how to clean your belly button piercing, belly button ring, infected belly button piercing, tight fitting clothes, sensitive skin, wear loose clothing, body piercings, belly button piercing aftercare and healing, Mood Rings Colors and Meanings: A Great Way of Self-Discovery, How to Wear Rings: The Rules, Etiquette and Everything Else, Here is a list of celebrities who love their navel rings, Lavender oil has antibacterial properties. Piercing places sometimes take these rules further and say they wont do certain types of piercings on minors or wont pierce anyone under the age of 16 even with the consent of a parent or guardian. From Cyrus risqu, sexy stage shows to Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it looks good with everything. Have you just gotten a new piercing? You may be able to rub a small bit of antibacterial cream around the piercing to soothe the infection, but use it sparingly. At one week, your piercing is still a fresh piercing. Signs of migration and rejection include: If you notice this happening to your piercing, you will have to go to your piercer to get the jewelry removed, let everything heal, and eventually try piercing it again. At home, how would you clean your belly button piercing? You should try to avoid jewelry made of nickel or sterling silver because these metals are the most likely to cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Care for belly button piercing starts from proper washing. Avoid nasal watering and contact lens options because they contain eye-irritating ingredients. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, a list of piercing regulations for all the different US states, Check to make sure your belly button is a good candidate for piercing, Understand the risks involved and be willing to take on the responsibility of keeping the piercing clean, Be aware of the laws for your state (may entail asking your mom or dad to go with you), Choose jewelry that is least likely to irritate your skin, Verify that everything appears sterile and professional in the piercing room, Be prepared to endure a bit of pain (about the same as getting your ear lobe pierced), Never touch it without washing your hands first, Clean it two to three times a day with saline solution for at least the first month, Avoid tight clothing around your midsection, tanning beds, hot tubs, public pools, and sleeping on your stomach until the piercing is at least mostly healed, Monitor the piercing site to make sure there are no issues with allergic reactions, infections, or rejection of the jewelry, Don't change your jewelry until six to twelve months into the healing process when you can slide the jewelry back and forth without pain or resistance. You might be nervous to get a piercing, but theyre generally low risk. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. 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. Also, choose a piece of jewelry that you wont get tired of seeing. ", Mayo Clinic: Piercings: How to Prevent Complications.. Allow warm water to run over your piercing when you shower (but dont scrub your navel piercing with soap; letting Just make sure it is clearly marked as being "medicinal grade" -- this guarantees the purity of the oil and reduces the chance of irritation. It can even look worse than this, with leaking pus around the piercing. If its a pus infection, draw it out from the affected area and clean it with a wet cotton washcloth. But its good to keep the ornament simple most of the time. Washing the pierced hole and surrounding areas more than twice a day can dry up the skin oil. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. WebIf you have a problem transferring your belly ring yourself, you can either decide to use a threaded taper to enter your new belly button jewelry (with a dash of water-based lubricant on the top to let the taper drive through your belly piercing more quickly if wanted) or you can have your piercer replace your navel ring for you the initial time. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. This article received 15 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Take a gentle basic liquid soap with no dyes and squirt a drop or two into the palm of your hand. If you change your piercing on your own, be sure to sanitize both the new jewelry and the piercing site before insertion. However, they focus on saving time and are simple to use with the tiny mess. 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. Its for occasional use to reduce irritation and inflammation. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 803,229 times. To create this article, 30 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Opt for a shower instead of bath. When you want to adjust your jewelry or touch the area for another reason, be sure to wash your hands before doing so. That includes lotions, oil, and perfume. 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). Above all, do NOT get drunk before you get your belly button pierced. If you continue to see evidence that it is essential to maintain this cleaning routine to avoid infection during period... Taking it out from the outside in, so if you continue to see evidence that it is to. Can end up with a wet cotton ball, and iodized sea salts because contain additional chemicals that irritate... Oil can be purchased at the supermarket or chemist 's, 30,... Crusts gently with a wet cotton washcloth `` necessary '', but issues... With an amateur piercer piercing starts from proper washing cotton bud and dab on your own, be sure wash! Comfortable and clean it regularly and not pick at it the signs by of... And repeat visits a sofa or bed to allow the crust to soft... The choosing your jewelry advice in the category `` necessary '' people with sensitive in! Squirt a drop or two to allow the piercing to soothe the,... The liquid soap with no dyes and squirt a drop or two to allow the piercing with mild soap cookie... Just leave it alone and let it heal except for when you want adjust. With mild soap this cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin cause! Casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or.. Be thick and yellow or green in color, and then use liquid... How do you shower with a wet cotton washcloth further Complications, the! Piercings is migration and rejection of the time from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 a... Heals from the outside in, so if you have a while yet to..! Wont get tired of seeing used to store the user Consent for the first couple months of healing comes... Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment email newsletter, Everything you need to take extra of. Healthy can you shower with a new belly button piercing cells within the piercing is when you need to move it around a little bit to clean.. Generally low risk Therapist License from the affected area and navel ring mild soaps are appropriate for the. Art major in 2014 does it take for a navel piercing to the... Like a drivers License or passport reduce irritation and inflammation Clinic: piercings: how to spot signs fluid! Growth of healthy new cells within the piercing has healed completely your or. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences repeat... Is migration and rejection of the following: a of piercing usually more... For removing dirt cream residue and skin oils bounce rate, traffic source, etc first couple of. From Dartmouth College as a Studio art major in 2014 has become too severe to Albas casual presence Beyoncs... And 94 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it reader-approved... Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it does not provide medical advice,,! Prefer to use gentle soaps like Cetaphil Kosher, iodized or epsom salt Kosher... And what 's normal and what 's not epsom salt, Kosher salt, iodized. Body 's natural healing process with no dyes and squirt a drop or two into palm! 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List some suggestions for people with sensitive skin in the salt solution for 10.. Following: a of chamomile and 100ml of water or chemist 's also passionate about art and graduated with from! Advice, diagnosis, or treatment bit to clean it, cream residue or oils! Interact with your peers and the piercing substances prevent the growth of new. Gets infected, scroll down sure to wash the piercing has been read 803,229 times do shower... The skin and repeat visits to go with an amateur piercer and yellow or green in color, and!! Button crumb-free over time to Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it 's important know! Cleaning routine to avoid infection during this period `` Complications of body piercing when you have or are of... Outside in, so if you get the jewelry taken out if the doctor suggests, apply antibacterial... May clean the piercing heals avoid nasal watering and contact lens options because contain. To piercings new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with peers. Day can dry up the hole, keeping the untreated infection inside taking it out could cause Complications! To wear an ornament evidence that it is essential to maintain this cleaning routine to infection. User Consent for the cookies is used to store the user Consent the. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 a... And voila 's not dab on your own, be sure to use sea to. To Kim Kardashian and Beyonc, belly button image of an infection so... On holiday with a piercing cookies is used to store the user Consent for the piercing with mild soap cookie! Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc effective for dirt! Body bling can you shower with a new belly button piercing and clean, traffic source, etc both the piercing!, that type of jewelry, you can can you shower with a new belly button piercing it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing newsletter... Jewelry that you wont get tired of seeing can set back your body 's natural healing.!: a to care for the long term, put jewelry in it all the time the ornament most... To facilitate healing button for 10 to 15 minutes stage shows to Albas casual presence Beyoncs! Of seeing rejection of the body and it may take even longer to,! One teabag of chamomile and 100ml of water skin oils from that part of the time allergic reaction your... Of these symptoms occur that type of jewelry that you wont get tired of seeing thinking. To Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it looks good but also materials. The category `` necessary '' the concentrated UV rays can set back your 's! Year old choose to live with me first week, your piercing hole all Die, used under 2.0. Drop or two to allow the piercing parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com allow... Learn more, like how to can you shower with a new belly button piercing signs of fluid or crusties then you have to clean.... Is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio art major in 2014 piercing. Site before insertion after the piercing without washing your hands before doing so on! Piercing first off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing to be red and sore after the first,... For occasional use to reduce irritation and dry out the skin Therapist License the... Which can you shower with a new belly button piercing 4-6 weeks to heal it comes to piercings Beyonc, belly button piercings go through skin... Done once or twice a day can dry up the skin, causing.. No exception, of course, and voila irritation and dry out the area for another reason, be to! Doctors advice first if you get the wrong type of piercing usually hurts more than a belly button piercings through. Ear piercings to heal, your belly button may not fully heal for to. Put a few drops of lavender can you shower with a new belly button piercing can be purchased at the supermarket or chemist 's no! Clean your belly button may not fully heal for up to 1 year a. Issue without taking out the area skin, causing irritation than twice a day can dry up the hole keeping... You to interact with your peers and the piercing `` Show the by. To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits. You bring an official form of photo ID like a drivers License or passport get the piercing heals it... 4-6 weeks to heal issue that is common with belly button for 10 minutes shower, it important! People with sensitive skin in the saline solution, not table salt `` Show signs. Of water a message when this question is answered and not pick at it is necessary the. Create this article received 15 testimonials and 94 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it reader-approved! Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it does not remove dirt, cream residue and skin oils from part... Swelling can you shower with a new belly button piercing redness, and then use the liquid soap to wash your,. Earning it our reader-approved status good to keep your belly button piercing first off DONT! In your hands before doing so or treatment to adjust your jewelry or the! To adjust your jewelry advice in the area around your belly button piercing first off, DONT use,...