Belly Button Piercing Care Instructions

This article was written by Sasha Blue and by staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Sasha Blue is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sasha has over 20 years of professional body piercing experience, starting with her apprenticeship in 1997. She is licensed with the County of San Francisco in California.

Marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 15 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status.

Navel

Getting a new piercing is always a thrilling experience; however, there are some general instructions you should follow after you get your new piece of bling to ensure it heals properly. Belly button piercings generally take between 6 and 12 months to heal. It’s critical to care for the piercing in that time frame to avoid infection, irritation, and piercing migration. Follow this guide to learn about the navel piercing cleaning process and the dos and don’ts of the first year.

How To Clean Your Belly Button Piercing: Dos And Don'ts

This article is based on an interview with our professional body piercer, Sasha Blue, owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio. Check out the full interview here.

This article was written by Sasha Blue and by staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Sasha Blue is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sasha has over 20 years of professional body piercing experience, starting with her apprenticeship in 1997. She is licensed with the County of San Francisco in California. This article has been viewed 1, 630, 557 times.

Proper care will help ensure that your new navel piercing heals well. Any time you handle your piercing, wash your hands with soap and water first. Gently wipe away any crust around the piercing site once a day with a cotton swab dipped in warm water, then wash the piercing gently with mild soap and water for about 20 seconds. Rinse away the soap with running water in the shower and pat your piercing dry with a clean paper towel. You can also do a saline soak once a day to keep your piercing clean and reduce irritation. Boil 1 cup (237 mL) of water and pour it into a cup, then stir in ¼ teaspoon (about 5 g) of sea salt. Once the water is comfortably warm, press the cup over your piercing so it forms a seal against your skin, then lie back and let the piercing soak for 10-15 minutes. As the piercing heals, take vitamins such as vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D to promote faster healing. To prevent irritation, avoid touching your piercing except when you’re cleaning it, wear loose clothing, and avoid getting ointment or other skincare products near the piercing. Don’t go swimming or take baths until you’ve had at least 1 year to heal, and avoid changing your jewelry for at least 4-10 weeks. If you notice signs of an infection, such as increasing redness or swelling, a bad odor, or greenish or yellow discharge coming from the wound, see a doctor. To learn how to tell whether your piercing is infected, keep reading!Everyone who into body piercings should own a bottle of aftercare solution. Here’s the thing though; the variety of different products on the market is […]

Signs And Treatment Of An Infected Belly Button Piercing

A whole bunch of new superhero films have been released lately. Making this yearasuper exciting time for comic book fans everywhere. Marvel and DC have […]

The microdermal hip piercing is unique, elegant and quirky. This piercing isawesome to show off yet easy to hide. The piercing is placed right wear […]

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. You should not pierce anyone unless you are fully certified. Read about how to become a certified piercer […]

The Ultimate Guide To Belly Button Piercings

One piercing which has gotten seriously popular lately is the Angel Bites piercing. For those of you who don’t know, Angel Bites are a combination […]

Having facial piercings makes job hunting more of challenge than it already is. You will find yourself getting rejected multiple times. Just because you choose […]

Disclaimer:I do not condone in self piercing. It is dangerous, highly invasive and potentially unsanitary. This procedure should only be done by professionals with plenty […]

Navel Piercing Faq

Piercinga baby’s ears is controversial in the US and the UK. Many people in our society say this is cruel. The would tell you that […]

The septum piercing is placed through the cartilage wall in the middle of the nose. In recent years, this piercing is has drastically increased in […]

The delightfully delicate tragus piercing is a big hit amongst all age groups.This piercing appeals to people of all types. From glamour girls to punk […]

This Is What Happens To Belly Button Piercings During Pregnancy

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.You finally got your belly button pierced after months of thinking about adding some body bling. That cute little ring decorating your tummy looks fantastic, too.

How

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the skin around your piercing. Infections or some other icky complication can affect nearly 1 of 4 body piercings away from the earlobe, research shows.

Infected Belly Button: 5 Ways To Tell And What To Do About It

So, how can you tell if your belly button piercing is infected? And how should you treat that festering hole? For answers, we turn to family physician Simon Hodes, MB ChB.

Let’s start with the basics: Even when a belly button piercing goes well, you can expect some tenderness, redness and even crusting at the spot for 12 to 18 months. After all, you did just put a hole through your skin and into your body.

“While earlobe piercing is very common and usually straightforward, your belly button is probably an area of your body that doesn’t really want to be pierced, ” says Dr. Hodes. “So, if you’re going to do it, make sure you’re in it for the long haul.”

Piercing Rejection: Signs, Prevention, And How To Stop It

It can take up to a year or longer for the “wound” from a belly button piercing to fully heal, explains Dr. Hodes. That’s a lengthy timeframe that extends your risk of eventually getting some sort of infection.

Why does it take so long? Think of all the bending, twisting and stretching your midsection does during the day. All of that movement doesn’t exactly help speed along your body’s repair process.

Belly

“The healing process is not quick, ” notes Dr. Hodes. “An infection can flare up a long time after the initial piercing is done. So, good hygiene and belly ring care are essential from Day 1 to reduce the risks of problems.”

Belly Button Piercing: Your Piercer, Aftercare, Infection, And More

(On that note, think carefully about getting a belly button piercing if you’re considering a pregnancy in the next 18 months, says Dr. Hodes. New piercings can be problematic and often need to be removed as your stomach stretches.)

So, how do you know when trouble arrives? Here are four telltale signs that dirt or bacteria may have entered your pierced navel and caused an infection.

Swelling from an infected piercing can range from an annoying irritation to an abscess (or pocket of pus). The spot may feel warm to the touch, too. “There’s a whole spectrum of infection seen, from minor local skin infection to more severe infections that may require drainage, ” says Dr. Hodes.

Belly Or Navel Piercing

An infection can lead to bright red marks or discoloration on your skin. “It’s the sort of change that will be noticeable.”

It’s generally not a good sign when a wound leaks pus. The discharge from an infected piercing could be yellow, green, gray, brown, white or bloody red. “If the ooze is smelly, then it’s more suggestive of an infection, ” says Dr. Hodes.

Although rare from a piercing, an infection that takes root and rages could leave you with a fever and chills. In extreme cases, your body’s response to the infection could lead to sepsis and a need for urgent medical attention.

Faster

Belly Piercing 101: What You Need To Know

Red and itchy skin around a piercing also could signal an allergic reaction to whatever jewelry is now dangling from your midsection. “The symptoms can seem very similar to an infection, ” says Dr. Hodes.

In general, an allergic reaction to jewelry metal will more closely resemble hives or dry, itchy eczema patches. It’s also less likely to ooze.

“If you suspect an allergic reaction, you may want to try oral antihistamine or a topical hydrocortisone cream from your local pharmacy, ” advises Dr. Hodes. “If that doesn’t calm it down, consult a care professional.”

Infected Belly Button Piercing: Cleaning Tips & More

Metals regarded as safe for body piercings include stainless steel, titanium or gold (14- or 18-karat). Jewelry made from lower-grade metals such as nickel, cobalt and chromates is more likely to cause issues. “However, people can react to any foreign material, ” he adds.

If you suspect an infection in your belly button piercing, it’s time to up your cleaning game. Your piercing should be