Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Maintain a fresh puncture site
• Method 2 of 3: Avoid Irritation
• Method 3 of 3: Deal with complications
• Tips
• Warnings

Belly button piercings are always sexy and intriguing. However, for the piercing to become a real decoration, you need to monitor the health and cleanliness of the puncture site. During the healing period, clean the puncture site regularly and avoid anything that might interfere with healing.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Maintain a fresh puncture site

1. 1 The procedure must be performed by a professional. Find a salon staffed by professionals using only sterile materials. Remember, piercing should only be done by a piercer or beautician. If your friends or family members have piercings, you can ask them who did the procedure for them. Perhaps they can recommend a good salon for you. Never economize on a procedure that can be performed by a non-professional. If certified piercers work in the salon, then you can trust such specialists. This reduces the risk of serious health consequences. An experienced piercer can also advise you on sizing, jewelry selection, and other issues related to this procedure.
   • A visit to a salon where professionals work in their field guarantees you a safe procedure, since in such places the piercers use high-quality jewelry. High quality piercing jewelry is available in stainless steel, titanium, niobium, 14K white or nickel-free gold.
   • A professional piercer will also use a hollow needle rather than a piercing gun. If in the salon you are offered to get pierced with a pistol, then refuse this option and look for another salon. This is very important as using this tool can significantly damage the skin and most likely lead to infection.
2. 2 Only touch sore piercings with clean hands. Wash your hands thoroughly using antibacterial soap before touching the piercing with your hands. Dirt and oils that may be on the surface of the fingers can enter the puncture site (which is an open wound) and possibly lead to infection.
   • Remove dirt from under your nails. Dirt under your nails can also cause infection of the wound when you touch it with your hands.
3. 3 Wash your piercing daily. Use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to clean the puncture site.Do this very gently, being careful not to move the jewelry. Then wash your piercing using antibacterial soap. Simply dab some soap on your fingertips and massage, lathering the piercing with soap for about 20 seconds. Rinse off the soap in the shower. Get out of the shower and blot the piercing with a dry paper towel, not a towel.
   • Wash your piercing with soap twice a day. However, you can use a Q-tip dipped in plain or salt water to remove the crust. However, do not do this more than three times a day. Don't overdo it, you can do harm too.
   • Take a shower, not a bath. It is best to take a shower, as it provides an uninterrupted stream of clean water, which cannot be said about taking a bath. Bath water becomes dirty very quickly due to sweat, dirt and detergents.
   • It is best to dry your piercing using paper towels as they are clean and disposable. Bath towels can absorb moisture and bacteria.
   • Avoid twisting the piercing frequently while showering. Any movement can cause irritation and bleeding.
4. 4 Rinse the piercing with salt water. Mix ¼ teaspoon of sea salt with a glass of boiled water. Wait until the water is warm and pleasant to the touch. Pour the mixture into a small glass, then bend over with your stomach against the glass and lean back. If you do everything right, you will get a seal between the skin and the glass, which will prevent water from leaking out. Perform the procedure for 10-15 minutes at least once a day. Salt solution is a very effective antibacterial agent that not only prevents the development of infection, but also removes the formed crust.
   • You can also make a warm compress using a saline solution and a paper towel. Alternatively, you can use a sea salt spray, which can be purchased over the counter.
5. 5 Take vitamins. Some piercers have found that taking vitamins such as vitamin C, zinc, or a vitamin complex is beneficial for wound healing. Vitamin D, which is sourced from the sun, also aids in the healing process.

Method 2 of 3: Avoid Irritation

1. 1 Do not touch the piercing. Of course, you can touch the piercing with clean hands when you wash it, but do not touch or twist the jewelry unnecessarily.
   • Any touch (especially with dirty hands) can lead to infection and bleeding.
2. 2 Do not take out the jewelry. The jewelry should remain at the puncture site for the entire healing period (6-12 months). Otherwise, it can lead to the fact that the puncture site is overgrown, and you will experience pain and discomfort when you insert the jewelry again.
   • In addition, it can lead to scarring as well as slow down the natural healing process.
3. 3 Do not use ointments. Ointments and creams prevent oxygen from entering the tissues and slow down the healing process. In addition, ointments retain moisture, which can lead to infection. Even if you use antibacterial ointments, note that they slow down the healing process and can lead to infection.
   • Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on a wound. These disinfectants inhibit the growth of new healthy cells at the puncture site, which slows down the healing process.
   • You should also avoid using solutions containing benzalkonium chloride, as this substance slows down the healing process.
   • Avoid using any detergents, oils, creams, sunscreens, and other cosmetics. These remedies can slow down the healing process, as well as lead to infection.
4. 4 Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing can irritate piercings due to constant friction. In addition, tight-fitting clothing limits the flow of air.Wear loose-fitting clothing made from cotton and other soft fabrics. Avoid clothing made from synthetic fabrics.
   • Also, be careful when changing clothes. If you do this quickly, your jewelry could snag on your clothing and you could be injured.
5. 5 Avoid contact with dirty water. As mentioned above, you should not take a bath. Take a shower. Also, refrain from visiting ponds and pools. Avoid swimming in pools, saunas, lakes, or rivers for a year after piercing.
   • Water in reservoirs will come into contact with the puncture site, which is fraught with serious consequences for the body, for example, the appearance of an infection.
6. 6 Sleep on your back or side. Sleeping on your back or side is very important, especially during the first few weeks after your piercing. This will help prevent excessive pressure on the wound. Sleeping on your stomach will cause pain and discomfort as the wound has not yet healed completely.

Method 3 of 3: Deal with complications

1. 1 Pay attention to the symptoms. If you are having complications, look at the symptoms to determine what the problem is. Look for discharge from the wound, pain, swelling or redness, and other physical changes at the piercing site (for example, a lump formation, a change in the position of the jewelry, or other visible changes). Depending on the symptoms, the cause may be an infection, irritation, or an allergic reaction to metal.
   • If the symptoms are not pronounced, then most likely the cause is simple irritation. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely the cause is an infection or allergic reaction.
2. 2 Deal with irritation. If the puncture site heals well, but you've accidentally pulled or pulled a piece of jewelry, slept on your stomach, swam in a pool, or used beauty products, and suddenly start noticing inflammation, you are most likely dealing with irritation. Irritation may occur at the puncture site if the jewelry is too tight or, on the contrary, weakly adheres to the skin, twists, creating friction. If there is skin irritation at the puncture site, you may experience discomfort and other symptoms. You may notice swelling, redness, discomfort (no severe pain and no discharge). Such symptoms indicate mild irritation. Treat the wound with saline and care for it as you did when you first got your piercing.
   • Apply a cold compress (you will need cool water and a small cloth or towel). This compress helps to relieve discomfort.
   • Do not remove the piercing from your belly button, this can cause even more inflammation.
   • If you have any questions, you can consult a piercer. It may be worth visiting the salon where you got the piercing so that a specialist can assess your condition.
3. 3 Fight infection. You may experience discomfort, bleeding and bruising right after the piercing procedure. However, such symptoms can also indicate infection of the puncture site. When an infection occurs, there is severe swelling and redness around the puncture site. You may feel heat at the puncture site and notice green, yellow, or gray discharge of a foul odor. In addition, the temperature may rise if the wound becomes infected.
   • If you suspect a wound is infected, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you are unsure about this, you can consult a piercer who can assess your symptoms and make further recommendations.
   • Do not remove the piercing from your belly button if you think the piercing site has become infected. Otherwise, doing so can exacerbate the problem, as the puncture site can become overgrown with bacteria and fluid inside the puncture site.
4. 4 Fight allergic reactions. An allergic reaction may appear several hours or days after the piercing procedure. As a rule, an allergic reaction occurs to the metal from which the jewelry is made. Allergic reactions to nickel are the most common. Signs of an allergic reaction include itching around the puncture site, rash, warmth around the puncture site, swelling and inflammation of the puncture site. If you have an allergic reaction, you may notice changes in the skin around the puncture site.
   • If you have an allergic reaction, jewelry rejection may occur. In this case, the skin will try to reduce contact with the jewelry, causing the puncture holes to enlarge and expand.
   • In this case immediately see a piercer who will replace your jewelry, as well as a doctor who will prescribe the necessary treatment. In some cases, a course of antibiotics is needed.
5. 5 Use home remedies for treatment. If your symptoms are not very pronounced or you have had a recent infection, you can use home remedies before consulting your doctor. These tools include:
   • Compresses... As mentioned above, warm and cold compresses can help reduce discomfort if your puncture site is irritated. Make a warm compress. To do this, soak a cloth or towel in saline. Thanks to such a compress, inflammation can be reduced by increasing blood flow (leukocytes) at the site of irritation. A cold compress can help reduce the sensation of heat at the puncture site.
   • Chamomile tea ... Brew chamomile tea by pouring boiling water over the tea bag. Wait for the tea to cool (about 20 minutes), then dip a cotton swab into the brewed tea. Treat the irritated puncture site with a cotton swab for 5 minutes. Repeat the procedure daily, at least once a day.
     • You can also freeze the tea in ice cubes and use these cubes to relieve pain, irritation, and swelling.
   • Pain medications... If you are experiencing uncomfortable pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Give preference to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
6. 6 Consult your doctor. If you have any doubts, see your doctor. If the above remedies are ineffective, seek professional medical attention. You should definitely visit your doctor if you experience severe pain, swelling, discharge and bleeding.
   • If you get an infection or have an allergic reaction, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to fight the infection and help you get better.

Tips

• Blot the piercing with a paper towel, taking care to remove all the water. After blotting the piercing dry, use a hair dryer to dry it. Turn the hair dryer on cold to avoid scalding your skin.
• Use only the detergents and sprays recommended by the piercer.

Warnings

• Do not get pierced if you are not sure you can properly care for it.
• Be sure to tell your piercer if you are allergic to cheap jewelry, creams, sprays, or even latex (which makes medical gloves).