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Thread: ouch!! belly button piercing???

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    Veteran Member funtasticFerra's Avatar
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    Default ouch!! belly button piercing???

    I recently got my belly button pierced and it's starting to get all red and scab up sorta and it's inflamed. Has anyone else had their's done and know if this is normal or not? I've been cleaning it every two hours and when i'm at work whenever i'm off stage or give dances...but it's still getting infected it seems...not sure if this is normal or not.
    "When life gets rough turn up the music and dance a little"

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    Featured Member former_LV_dancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    Sounds like it might be getting infected. Washing it every 2 hours? That seems like alot. An infected piercing hurts, looks red and swollen, can weep and may feel hot to the touch.

    Here's a little info:

    How can you take care of a new belly button piercing?
    To help the healing process of your belly button piercing, wash it twice every day. Note, over cleansing can interfere with your body’s natural ability to fight off infection. Always sanitize your hands before touching your belly button ring. Apply a diluted salt solution to your piercing for five minutes in order to soak off dried material. Clean with soap that contains antibacterial properties and rotate it through the piercing for approximately one minute. Rinse your belly button piercing thoroughly; make sure no traces of soap are left, and then pat it dry.

    How long will your belly button piercing take to heal and why can healing be difficult?
    A completely healed belly button piercing can take up to one and a half years. Belly button piercings can be difficult to heal because of exposure to poorly chlorinated waters; also clothing and sweat can irritate the piercing. Factors that can slow the healing process include bad quality jewelry, stress, illness, lack of proper care and a poor diet. If not cared for properly a belly button piercing can take 1-2 years to heal and is an easy target for recurring infection.

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    God/dess
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    Yup, sounds infected. Mine did that on and off for almost a year before it fully healed. :/

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    Senior Member LittlePixie's Avatar
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    What are you cleaning it with? It does sound like the beginnings of an infection so proper care is critical for it to heal well.

    Cleaning every two hours may be excessive, it would only be necessary that often if the area is being exposed to contaminants. A thorough dissinfecting 3-4 times a day for the next 3-4 days to nip the infection should be more than enough, after that 2-3 times a day.

    During the healing of my navel piercing I had the beginnings of infection pop up on a couple occasions, both "flare ups" were dealt with promplty and all healed well. My usual care routine was to clean with betadine once a day and another one or two times with a sea salt water solution. When the flare ups occured, I switched to betadine only cleanings and they went away quickly.

    When cleaning, pay close attention to the jewelry. There is often some gunk that will build up on it and it must be removed. Move your piecing enough during the cleaning to examine the whole thing and make sure it's clear of debris. At the same time you'll ensure that the solution is getting into the piercing too to help do it's thing.

    Best of luck, I found my navel piercing to be the most painful and longest to heal. I love it to death cause it's cute as hell but I'm not sure I'd go through all that hassle again!

    You should notify your piercer of this as soon as possible. He's in the best position to help you through this.

    Good luck,
    Pixie


    Between cleanings, try and keep the area clear from clothes and let it breathe. Avoid pants and clothes that will rub against or snag it.

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    God/dess Sirona's Avatar
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    Navel piercings are notorious for being slow/hard to heal. The constant friction and movement really can screw you... Is it hot? Leaking pus? Are you running a temp? Any inflamed lymph nodes in the area (groin)?

    If it is truely infected you'll need an antibiotic specifically for targeting infections of the skin like Keflex. In the mean time warm water and sea salt soaks are great at disinfecting and promoting healing.

    Don't wait too long to get it looked at, the last thing you want is scarring, etc.

    PS - If it is infected do not take out the ring... the piercing itself gives it a chance to drain where as taking out the jewelry and letting it closed over can leave you with a nasty closed abcess... bluh!



  6. #6
    Cally
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    Cleaning every two hours is to excessive, . Clean it twice a day, soak it in sea salt water and make sure to move the piercing a lot amd keep the jewelry clean. You may need to get an anti biotic to help fight the infection if it doesnt clear up. Navel piercings are bad for infection, I know a lot of people this has happend to. Where it rubs on your pants n stuff it can be irritated. I recomend wearing low cut pants that wont rub it and higher cut tops that wont rub it till the irritation goes away. Sucks this time of year, to damn cold. Best of luck!

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    Senior Member Kat_onahot_tinroof's Avatar
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    Default Re: ouch!! belly button piercing???

    Quote Originally Posted by Sirona
    Navel piercings are notorious for being slow/hard to heal. The constant friction and movement really can screw you... Is it hot? Leaking pus? Are you running a temp? Any inflamed lymph nodes in the area (groin)?

    If it is truely infected you'll need an antibiotic specifically for targeting infections of the skin like Keflex. In the mean time warm water and sea salt soaks are great at disinfecting and promoting healing.

    Don't wait too long to get it looked at, the last thing you want is scarring, etc.

    PS - If it is infected do not take out the ring... the piercing itself gives it a chance to drain where as taking out the jewelry and letting it closed over can leave you with a nasty closed abcess... bluh!

    Yea, I agree with this...

    I can only speak from personal experience. Had mine peirced twice. First time wasn't done correctly. I had redness, a general amount of puss that came out for up to 6 weeks or so and had to constantly keep it cleaned. Don't change out your belly adornments until told to. This will reduce any major infection. You could try to get on some type of antibiotic but my belly didn't heal till almost 7 months later. It really took that long for me. Everyone is different, so as I said before I'm just speaking of my own experience. If you feel that you have a serious infection on your hands I would just head to the ER and have them take a look at it. You bypass a doc who is just going to tell you to take it out and let it heal. Just my .02
    "If anyone asks me, have I paid my dues in life... I tell em, why yes, and the checks in the mail.."!

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