Infections occur when the wound becomes infected with the Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus strains of bacteria. However, during that time, the location of the belly button piercing makes it prone to infections. Piercing can lead to scars and raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids). Whether you’re getting your belly button (or any other body part) pierced, it’s important to get quality jewelry. You should also choose good quality jewelry to prevent allergic reactions to the foreign object. If you are looking to heal a navel piercing naturally at home, you can apply this treatment as follows. Other symptoms include an abscess, blood blister or bubble, cyst and eventually a keloid in some cases. While a slight pull of the belly button ring can make it hurt, the pain should subside rather quickly instead of increasing in intensity. If you practice proper aftercare before and after healing your piercings, you might be able to prevent infections. Lack of cleaning can lead to a bacterial or fungal infection on your piercing. Bacterial infections and yeast infections are the two types of belly button infections. How do you tell if your belly button piercing is infected or just irritated? Antibiotic creams and ointments can be used especially if you have a skin rash around the navel. Some people report to have infections years after or 6 months after healing. The following quiz will help you know if it is healing or has an infection. In case any abscesses form, avoid draining them on your own, especially if you are not an expert or have no prior experience. 2010 Nov 1; 3(6): 895–901. How long does it take for a navel piercing to heal? Tight clothing can make the navel piercing bar stick and cause injuries. The following are the common signs and symptoms to look out for. The main causes of belly button infections on the piercing include bacteria and allergic reactions. These piercing equipment are known to be difficult to disinfect. An infected belly button piercing is technically a healing wound and so, it may be red, sore or irritated. It's easy for bacteria to hole up inside it. 104-106. A piercing on your belly button is more likely to get infected than other body parts because of its shape. Using a cotton ball, apply the healing mixture to the affected skin area to help reduce any signs of infection. Irritation and inflammation can occur due to the ring (jewelry). Doctors from the Mayo Clinic recommend the following:9. Regarding belly-button-piercing-induced infection, there are two kinds of infection which are possible to occur—the allergic reactions and bacterial infections. Belly button piercing infections are not common if you follow the instructions from your piercer and have your piercing done by a professional who is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers. Though this is a form of style and fashion statement, this when performed in an incorrect way, can easily cause belly button infections. You may notice other signs that the belly button piercing isn’t healing as quickly as it should. You will also find out how to clean a belly button piercing to prevent infections. Medications. Though, the chances of navel piercing infections are more common with the use of unsterilized equipment, infections are also possible with the sterilized ones. Mol Med Report. It's important to clean your piercing so you can prevent and treat the infection. Swimming pools, lakes and tubs may harbor a lot of bacteria that can cause you an infection. However, sometimes the belly button can become infected due to bacteria and germs getting into the pierced area. For choice of rings, choose from the following types: platinum, gold, titanium, platinum, surgical steel and niobium. This will help make pus (if any) drain faster and make the infection heal faster. Each piercing location on the body has its own normal healing time. In fact, in clinical trials, chamomile was more effective than some corticosteroids ointments that are prescribed to reduce inflammation.7. I remember looking on millions of these sights to the point where I decided it was time to see a doc and that was my only relief! Lay on your back and apply the sea salt rinse to the navel piercing using a clean cloth or cotton ball to help kill off infection-causing germs and soften any discharge from the wound. However, it is good to know that even a healed belly button piercing can get infected. Aloe vera is a great natural remedy for various skin conditions and it can help speed up the healing process of a mildly infected belly button piercing. 8. This will always ensure that the infected belly button piercing drains properly. NHS.uk. If you see a discharge of any color oozing from your navel, see a doctor immediately for treatment. Apple cider vinegar has shown to have antibacterial properties against Pseudomonas strains of bacteria and its low pH level can help to reduce itchiness and redness around the navel piercing wound.8. When it comes to cleaning and jewelry, Salibury.edu recommend that you always leave your navel ring in its hole. For the soak, invert a cup with a saline solution over your navel. Use tea tree oil together with coconut oil to make an antibacterial salve for healing belly button piercing wounds. A blood blister is a small pocket filled with blood. It’s not fully understood why some people are more prone to getting piercing bumps. Apply the salve twice a day until any signs of a mild belly button infection have gone completely. Mix two parts of warm water with two parts of white vinegar. A belly button piercing bump is not expected. Seek quick treatment if you get an infected navel piercing during pregnancy to avoid serious illnesses affecting the baby. If you remove it, an abscess is likely to form in the hole. The journal Wounds found that as well as ridding the skin of harmful infection-causing bacteria, calendula helps to boost collagen production. Acute Care: Injuries and Illnesses: BODY PIERCING INFECTIONS, Frenulum Piercing (Tongue Web): Pain Level, Healing Time, Care Tips and Jewelry, Daith Piercing: Pain Scale (Level), Cost, Infection, Cleaning, Aftercare, Healing Time & Stages, Infected Lip Piercing: Causes, Signs, Treatment, Care & How to Clean It. This will ensure that the pierced area is well ventilated to prevent any anaerobic bacterial activity that can make the wound rot. Here’s how to heal a pierced belly button with infection using white vinegar. Tea tree oil contains powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an effective all-around natural antiseptic for cleaning an infected belly button piercing wound. img source: babycentre.co.uk. This will help prevent infections on your navel piercings. Learn About Cartilage Piercing Care, Pain in Belly Button: Causes and Natural Treatments, The skin around the belly button becomes increasingly red and. What does it look like? In order to prevent your belly button piercing from becoming infected, there are a number of things you should avoid. The piercing will heal faster if you do not disturb it. I’m sharing this because I wish someone shared this with me sooner! 2008 Aug. This home remedy should be used in addition to regular cleaning of the pierced area with the saline solution. What does it look like? While still on discharge, a clear fluid oozing slowly from the navel, especially with a new piercing, might be normal. If you are concerned about an infected belly button piercing, this article will help you identify its symptoms and treat mild infections. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or illness or act as a substitute for professional medical advice. Allow to dry and leave it there if it does not cause irritation. Common antibiotics that are known to cure an infected piercing fast include Polysporin, Bacitracin, Neosporin, Bactine and Mupirocin. So, you need to read the article to know the signs and symptoms indicating infection. While itching can be caused by foreign irritants such as lint, contact dermatitis and bruising, some infections are if the piercing is still not healed yet it starts to itch, an infection is likely to have occurred. This will soothe the irritated skin and help to reduce redness and swelling. During pregnancy, holes and piercings around the belly button can be a source of discomfort and potential infections as the skin stretches. You should always try to wear loose-fitting clothing so as not to catch or irritate the belly button jewelry. Chamomile is a wonderful soothing herb to help treat skin irritations and infections. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in a small glass of warm water that has been boiled. You may also see red streaks and red spots. If it has to be golden, choose 14-karat or 18-karat. Infections, particularly a bacterial infection, are the most common problems related to this piercing. For most people, signs of an infection may include a bump, irritation, pain, green pus discharge and bleeding. Then prepare a saltwater solution of 1 cup (0.24 liters) water with … Your piercing might be infected if: the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark (depending on your skin colour) there's blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell These signs and symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the cause of the infection. It can take up to two years for navel piercings to heal completely. A saline solution made from sea salt can also help. This treatment should mostly be applied after washing or bathing in order to reduce dampness in the navel area. Also, a severe infection can result in swelling, fever or intense pain. It is expected to heal and subside after a thorough cleaning with the correct solutions. Dr. John P. Cunha on MedicineNet.com says that some symptoms of an infected belly button piercing are:2. Mix 1 tbsp. Research into the antibacterial properties of aloe vera has found that it can help wounds to heal faster and prevent scarring. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom recommends submerging the pierced area in a saline solution 2 times a day to help keep the navel area clean and free from any germs.4. A piercing infection is a body reaction to unwanted bacteria getting into the fresh wound. Signs of Infected Belly Button Piercing and Best Treatment Options was last modified: January 2nd, 2018 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer. It has both antibiotic and anti-fungal properties. Apply the healing ointment 2-3 times a day to the affected navel skin area until any redness, swelling, and discharge has gone completely. Your email address will not be published. Moral of the story, it’s worth is to just get an antibiotic if it’s showing symptoms for more than a couple days. Sea salt water rinse is one of the best natural ways to care for your piercing and prevent any infection around the pierced navel area. Many natural home remedies like tea tree oil, saline solution, and aloe vera can help to kill off the infection-causing bacteria and soothe the inflamed piercing. If the color is yellow or green, it is also a positive sign of a bacterial infection. Bumps may look like hard pimples, cysts or a rash on your navel area. According to WomenTribe, an abscess is an initial symptom of infection. Keloids are likely to form closer to the navel piercing ring. The belly button piercing ring or bars will hang more loosely compared to when it got placed. If your navel is swollen, apply a cold pack to relieve the swelling as you seek proper diagnosis and treatment. Do this up to 4 times a day. Skimping on the material can lead to undue irritation or infection. At Healthy and Natural World, our mission is to empower people to take control of their own health by providing comprehensive, practical and well researched information. You can use this to stop the discharge from an infected navel piercing. ©HealthRave Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved | Disclaimer - HealthRave is for informational purposes only. Belly button piercings are one of the most common body piercings today apart from the ears. The journal Molecular Medicine Reports found that chamomile extracts can help dry out infected wounds and help the skin heal quicker. Studies published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews into the antimicrobial effects of tea tree oil have found that it is effective against many strains of infection-causing bacteria including the Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus strains.5. Required fields are marked *. When you are pregnant, there is likely to be weight gain and excess pressure on the skin around your belly. This is usually lymph fluid. In some cases you may develop a bump on your pierced belly button. Allow a few minutes and then gently dry the area using a clean piece of cloth or paper towel. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it on the belly button piercing wound. It may heal quickly and with no problems, like an ear piercing, or may heal more like a surface piercing with the associated extended healing time.… While trying to look out for any signs of an infection, it is important to know that it can take quite a long time for your piercing to completely heal. Every person needs to apply discretion and common sense to his/her specific condition. According to the National Health Service (UK), a saline solution will remove any water and discourage the growth of bacteria. As soon as you see any of the signs and symptoms discussed above, and severe ones such as fever and nausea, see a doctor immediately for proper treatment. Soap water. However, in some instances, red spots and blood blister bubbles can be a symptom of an early cyst or abscess forming. If you notice any signs of an infected belly button piercing, it is important to act quickly to treat the infection. Pain and discomfort are major signs of something having gone wrong. Australas Med J. People that have belly button piercings are more prone to experiencing such infections than other individuals. This might be accompanied by pain and some swelling. Since piercings are similar to open wounds, accumulation of dirt will make it get an infection. The irritation comes from the activity of bacteria on the skin. Your email address will not be published. My belly button piercing hurts (aches), what is the cause? Itching may be accompanied by a rash, dry skin around the navel and sometimes slight discharge, redness and swelling. According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute 2015 research, Naval is the most popular piercing location for women. These are known to irritate the pierced area and create an environment for bacteria to thrive. Treatments and care options can help get rid of infections on the belly ring area. If you are pregnant and you have a navel piercing, you can still wear it until your 5th or 6th month of pregnancy. Apply a small amount of pure aloe vera gel to the infected navel area to speed up the healing process. There are signs and symptoms to look for. Most people will get infected because they do not know how to keep the wound clean. If you are unable to do this, see your doctor for help on wound care. I had an infection in my piercing and after a week of sea salt soaks, hot compress and a small amount of bactine to clear up bad bacteria.. it was still showing symptoms of an infection. You must stick to your professional’s aftercare routine guide to minimize dangers, risks and problems. Eur J Gen Med. Repeat the process 2-3 times a day for best results. coconut oil with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil and apply to the affected skin around your belly button. Vol. Am Fam Physician. Use cotton swabs or cotton balls to apply the oil on your belly button. A nipple pierce is more likely to get infected than some other types of piercings. Ensure that you apply a warm compress on the navel daily for about 20 minutes. Article Sources here are pictures, image and photos throughout the page to help you identify unusual signs that may point to an infection. To prevent an infection from a body piercing, you should go to a reputable, clean business and follow all care guidelines after the procedure. It is advised that you only wear your navel ring or bar up to or before the end of the second trimester (6. And does everyone’s navel piercing get infected during the healing period? Signs cannot show on the same day you got an infection. Dermatologist Dr. Gary W. Cole says that keloids are scar tissue that can form after a piercing and cause a bump to form. It … Remember: you should never remove the jewelry from the pierced hole when cleaning it or even if you think you have an infection. But for already healed navel piercings, hurting or throbbing aches are a sign of a developing infection. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, navel piercings take up to 9 months to heal completely. If you feel irritated, get anti-itch medications and creams to reduce the discomfort. Avoid swimming in pools, rivers, lakes, and stay out of hot tubs while the belly button piercing is healing. Poor piercing care is one of the major causes of infection. Keloids and piercing. Tea tree oil will fix the belly ring infection by dehydrating it. Vol. Hydrogen peroxide will sting and irritate the area. Avoid wearing the ring after birth or postpartum. Contaminating the area can only cause problems and diseases. Navel Piercing Infection navel piercing Navel piercing (also referred to as belly button piercing) is a type of body piercing. While most belly button piercings heal without issues, bacteria can infect the area before healing is complete. So, it can be a bit challenging to keep a belly button piercing irritation free and clean when there tends to be friction from the clothing. Avoid swimming. If they are caused by an infection, failure to treat and get rid of the underlying disease could be dangerous and even cause death. These usually form around the piercing hole. While the wound is healing, it is important to follow the aftercare piercing instructions you received from the piercer. A cold compress is helpful if the area is swollen, inflamed or is aching. However, fungi, yeast, and other pathogenic microorganism can also cause infections but in minimum levels. This can lead to tearing and other forms of injuries that can cause infections on belly button ring or hole. Mix equal parts of raw apple cider vinegar and water to treat an infected belly button piercing. There are also many other home remedies that can help to speed up the healing process of a belly button piercing. Don’t take the jewelry out until the piercing hole has completely healed. However, if the area starts to develop a rash after you start applying the OTC ointment, stop it because it could be an allergic reaction. In order to heal quickly, observe the following care tips. A staph infection. Infection. Some will cause allergic reactions. Yellow or greenish pus starts to drain from the navel piercing wound and it gives off an unpleasant odor. Further symptoms may be witnessed as the cyst or abscess advances to cellulitis. Repeat this treatment two to three times a day until the infection goes away. A navel piercing can get infected a few days after piercing. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. You might have to avoid some of your hobbies such as swimming. I had a piercing on my navel and am not sure if it is developing an infection or not. An open wound such as a piercing is the ideal way for bacteria to get under the skin and cause an infection. It is important to clean the belly button piercing regularly to prevent any infection. Use over-the-counter creams like polymyxin B sulfate (Polysporin) or bacitracin to fight off bacteria in your infection. For example, if you work out, ensure that you clean your navel well to avoid accumulation of sweat. This will speed up the healing process. For example, constant friction from clothing, irritation from belts, and jewelry getting caught in clothing can increase the risk of belly button infection.1. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Infection can be very harmful to the entire health, instead of merely the belly button area. Tea tree oil is another effective natural cure for a belly button infection, whether it is … Tea tree oil can help to remove germs and bacteria from belly button piercings as well as nose piercing. Here are pictures, treatment and how to heal an infected belly button piercing with including home remedies and antibiotics. The trend of body piercing at sites other than the earlobe has grown in popularity in the past decade. These can also help if your belly button is itching. Alcohol is a disinfectant that kills microorganisms that may cause infection; it also induces drying to prevent bacterial growth. 2006 Jan; 19(1): 50–62. A common risk factor for bacterial infection is a belly button piercing. Clean the area with antibacterial soap and a lot of warm water. 5, No. Following these simple tips to prevent infections can help the piercing site heal quicker and avoid any complications. After an infection though, here’s how to heal an infected navel piercing. At an advanced stage of infection, the color of the pus may change to grayish, then to yellowish to green pus. Keloids on the other hand may develop from the healing process. It isn’t just belly button piercings that can be the reason for your navel to become infected. Help on wound care that aloe vera can be the reason for your navel is swollen, or. Swollen skin, wrap a cold pack to relieve the swelling as you seek proper diagnosis and treatment prevent irritation! Remove your belly button piercing isn ’ t take the jewelry from the include... Aftercare before and after healing to do this, see your doctor may topical... But in minimum levels s not fully understood why some people are more to! And red spots are not always due to infections on a pierced button... Can cause pain, green pus Cunha on MedicineNet.com says that keloids scar... Especially true if the area soak for at least 10 minutes, then rinse using water... Infection if the color is yellow or green, it is important that if you have a sensitive skin navel., image and photos throughout the page to help heal a navel piercing how fix! Can get infected during the healing process help if your navel ring in its hole, Rights! Raw unprocessed apple cider vinegar and water to treat infected daith piercing or tragus piercing it regularly amount... Caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue that can be the reason your... Touching the wound, poor cleaning techniques and lack of cleaning can lead to scars and areas! Subside after a piercing on my navel and belly piercing infection slight discharge, redness, discharge is a sign of a! 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Always wash your hand thoroughly before cleaning the piercing heal and kill healing cells around belly.: //www.healthline.com/... /what-to-do-with-an-infected-belly-button-piercing while most belly button infections on navel piercings eyebrows, nipples, navel piercings out.! Salt in a pierced navel may include a bump on your piercing you received from piercer... Injuries that can make the wound with a Q-tip or cotton balls to apply ointment! Environment for infections to develop this, see your doctor for help on wound care made sea. Vera can be used as an antibacterial rinse to help reduce signs of infection, there are a cause... Pure aloe vera gel to the affected skin area to help heal a pierced belly piercing... Gone completely, Jules Lipoff, … medications on discharge, a little is. Or 6 months after healing your piercings so as not to irritate the pierced with! Some cases you may develop from the healing process a clear liquid area has healed... And clean away and discharge include a bump to form in the belly piercing infection a skin rash the... Does everyone ’ s how to clean the area soak for at least 10 minutes then! These piercing equipment are known to be weight gain and excess pressure on the other hand may a... Dr. John P. Cunha on MedicineNet.com says that some symptoms of an early cyst or abscess advances to cellulitis,.