Here are a few suggestions: Can you swim and snorkel on holiday after piercings? This can be painful and delays the healing process. 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. Its better to have a thicker piece of jewelry because it will make the piercing sturdier and more resistant to tearing and migration. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you've had your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, rinse with an alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before you % of people told us that this article helped them. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. To clean your piercing, soak a q-tip or cotton ball with a saline solution and gently wash your piercing holes and belly button twice a day. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. Your next step is to apply an antibacterial cream three or four times a day. Take care of your new piercing and it most likely won't get infected. You can but you need to avoid swimming after ear piercing for at least 24 hours but ideally, until the piercings have healed properly. (sit-ups, used under CC 2.0). Sometimes when your belly button piercing does appear to be the ability to heal well, and there are no signs of problems, you should clean it every four weeks for the next four weeks. 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. A. Now comes the long and hard part - caring for your new piercing. Swab it with a saline solution to keep it clear and avoid infectious disease. One downside to belly button piercings is that. Contact your doctor if you have an infection (redness, pain, swelling, pus) that lasts longer than a week. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. To prevent any additives that may be damaging to the sensitive place, stick to pure sea salt, which dissolves easily into the solution. Yes I'm the same female that posted in the other post. You can stay infection-free and beautiful with our tips and care guide. In this section, I'll talk about how to spot signs of trouble with your piercing. No. Whenever in doubt, advise the experts at Best Healthful about your Piercing and what they suggest, as well as any other aftercare specifications that may assist with the total process of healing. 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. Epsom salt, Kosher salt, and iodized sea salts because contain additional chemicals that may irritate the skin. Never pick the crusting off with your fingers as this can lead to infection. You may experience some soreness and throbbing in the first few days, but it shouldn't interfere with your life significantly. In your hands, lather up a few really gentle, fragrance-free, non-antibacterial soaps and softly wash your piercing. Suppose the homemade solution makes it sound too complicated. Feature image: Spookygonk/Flickr, used under CC 2.0. Soak the site for almost three minutes before gently tapping dry with a paper towel if you decide to submerge your piercing. Some people believe that outie belly button piercings are the only "true" belly button piercings because they actually involve piercing the inner part of the navel. I just got mine pierced yesterday. Its also important to avoid soaking your new belly button piercing in anything but a sterile saline solution until its healed; bodies of water both big and small like baths, Infections are very common with belly button piercings because theyre in such a vulnerable area. Since this could cause the newly Piercing area must become dry and irritated. Rub the area with a cotton ball soaked in a saline solution. Then, dry it with a paper towel or something soft. Either way, theres no need to panic. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Of course you do. Good news: most people say that belly button piercings dont hurt that much. Most piercing places also have websites where you can check out the portfolios of their piercers and read reviews from other customers. Although most people can technically get these types of piercings, it's best to have a good flap of skin above the belly button for the piercer to put the jewelry through if you want it to heal properly. It heals from the outside in, so if you have signs of fluid or crusties then you have a while yet to go.. Talk to your doctor first if you have: If you are pregnant or overweight, a belly button ring could move around under your skin, which can lead to scarring. If it's REALLY sore or a small lump appears after a few days, it usually means your illergic to your jewelry. While your piercer SHOULD use surgical stainless steel, some may not follow regulation. "Show the signs by image of an infection just so we know. Lather your hand and gently rub the pierced area. 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. In that case, you need to know a few of the essential things before beginning your aftercare routine. No matter how cute your piercing is, it will always be surrounded by the same old skin bacteria. Belly button piercing may not be for everyone depending on the kind of lifestyle you live. First off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing without washing your hands first! A saline solution is the safest option to clean the navel area. You mustnt apply too much pressure when cleaning this area because it can irritate your piercing or cause infection. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This article has been viewed 539,095 times. Wash your hands, and try sliding it back and forth a bit to make sure it moves freely without pain. We promise not to bore you with too much science or too many details. Avoid allowing soap to fall on the piercing when youre in the shower. How would you shower when you have a new belly button piercing? If the piercing is too itchy or dry, apply a piercing aftercare mist spray or wash the navel area with saline water. Shower as usual; the very last thing youll do in the shower is clean your wound. Care for belly button piercing starts from proper washing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Can I shower while wearing a belly button penetrating? Washing the pierced area with a saline mixture (half of a teaspoon of sea salt in one cup of water) will help it heal faster. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. It is easier, safer, and overall a better idea. Lie down on a sofa or bed to allow the piercing to soak in the salt solution for 10 to 15 minutes. It refers to piercing through the skin around your belly button to wear an ornament. They will be able to take out the piercing and replace the jewelry for you. If this occurs, see a doctor and report your piercer. Yes I'm the same female that posted in the other post. Gently rub the cotton swab around your piercing until the area is clean. All rights reserved. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Clean-Navel-Piercings-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Navel-Piercings-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Clean-Navel-Piercings-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid695509-v4-728px-Clean-Navel-Piercings-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"