Can I go swimming or snorkeling on holiday with a piercing? WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You mustnt apply too much pressure when cleaning this area because it can irritate your piercing or cause infection. Lean on the side of cautious - it's always better to get something checked out and have nothing wrong, than to try to tough it out and make a problem worse. Instead of a cotton swab, you can also use a wet paper towel or a clean gauge. It heals from the outside in, so if you have signs of fluid or crusties then you have a while yet to go.. WebAnswer (1 of 22): I wouldn't recommend it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Its just polite not to be smelly when a stranger has to touch your belly button. Avoid swimming, taking baths, and strenuous exercise until the irritation (or infection) goes away. References Ask below and we'll reply! Body modifications are no exception, of course, and this is especially true when it comes to piercings. Regular cleaning of the wound is necessary for preventing infection and quickening recovery. Everyday life, everyday problems. You can also soak the navel area with saline water and wait for 10 minutes before washing with fresh water. A. Run warm water over your belly, penetrating for about two minutes, then wash it with salt and water soak. All rights reserved. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Its also important to avoid using harsh soaps or After you finish showering and also have run hot water over your belly button, gently pat the piercing with a dry clean towel rather than a towel. Even if you believe that your belly button is the ideal candidate for a snazzy new piece of jewelry, you should know that, Jewelry rejection or migration (migration is when the piercing moves internally to a slightly different spot, and rejection is when your body starts to push the jewelry out and you see more and more of the barbell), Permanent scarring (this can happen if you dont bother to remove the jewelry after your body has decided to reject it). First off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing without washing your hands first! This removes the risk of picking up an infection from the water in swimming pools, lakes and rivers, and the sea. So, which is the superior option? Soap is effective for removing dirt cream residue and skin oils from that part of the body. Most reputable piercers will not take this risk. Enjoy! Your piercer will mark the spot to be pierced. The materials that are least likely to irritate the piercing site include surgical stainless steel, surgical titanium, Tygon plastic, and solid 14K gold. It turns into an ugly, red-hot mass of pus and pain. Is your belly button piercing looking a little crusty, and youre wondering what to do? However it is a great article and helped me in my first. Can I shower while wearing a belly button penetrating? From Cyrus risqu, sexy stage shows to Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it looks good with everything. 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. Typically, belly button piercings go through the lip of skin above the belly button. You can stay infection-free and beautiful with our tips and care guide. Keeping your navel piercing clean is essential if you want it to heal quickly and avoid infection. After recovery, you can clean your piercing whenever you clean your belly button (which could be every time you take a shower). Piercings in that area have long been a symbol of self-expression, and with good reason: The navel is one of the most visible areas of the body, so why not make it your own? Its okay if sudsy water runs over your belly button piercing when youre showering, but you should wash it exclusively with sea salt solution. If youve gotten other piercings in the past, be mindful of how your body has reacted. Mix things up and do experiments with colors and patterns. WebYes, you can. Some standard cleaning and antibacterial solutions wont work for navel piercing. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. bacteria multiply in hot water and because theres no way for it to spread it is attracted to your body! You may also want to cover your navel piercing with a large bandage when playing contact sports and in bed, when there is an increased risk of tugging or pulling on the wound. Piercings that the body rejects but that are not removed promptly often cause serious scarring. It is essential to maintain this cleaning routine to avoid infection during this period. While sweat is naturally produced by the body, and is just a sign of your body taking care of itself, make sure to take a shower after exercising as a clean body tends to To reduce your possibility of rejection to migration, you should keep up a good aftercare routine and clean the piercing on a routine basis. Don't play team sports like soccer or basketball until your piercing is fully healed. You might be nervous to get a piercing, but theyre generally low risk. Consult a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. A clean towel and gauze are other good alternatives. How to take care of your belly button piercing after piercing? These chemical compounds kill healthy new cells, extending the healing time. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Also, dont forget to clean it every time you sweat. If you want to make extra sure your piercing doesn't get irritated, wear loose clothing and try to sleep on your back, which will reduce the amount of pressure on your skin. My question is im scared to risk it in the shower so I'm gonna have to be careful while using my shampoo and conditioner. Of course you do. It is important not to go with an amateur piercer. It is easier, safer, and overall a better idea. In your hands, lather up a few really gentle, fragrance-free, non-antibacterial soaps and softly wash your piercing. Your next step is to apply an antibacterial cream three or four times a day. They heal slower than many other types of body piercings, and they require a significant amount of aftercare. Type above and press Enter to search. You should ideally not have a soaking bath until the piercing is through the initial healing stages. Because adding much more salt will irritate the skin, and introducing too little will have a small healing effect. This can be painful and delays the healing process. However, you. You can see way more of the barbell than you could when it was initially pierced (because its getting pushed out of your body), Noticeable movement of the holes of the piercing marked by a trail of redness, Hole appears larger than it was initially, The skin between the holes is translucent and thin, If you notice this happening to your piercing, you will have to. 2 How long does it take for a belly piercing to heal? The only problem is some people may get skin irritation from lavender oil. A heavy ring might irritate your piercing. While its normal to experience a little bleeding and soreness for a few days, belly button piercings could get infected. In this section, I'll talk about how to spot signs of trouble with your piercing. Products like Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, rubbing alcohol, and powerful soaps can dry your skin out and destroy formation tissue. 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. This is normal early in the healing process. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. Allow the water to cool slightly, then transfer it to a clean glass or medicine cup. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Infections are a risk even in piercings that are essentially completely healed, so dont lose all respect for hygiene after months of vigilance. There may also be some swelling, redness, and discoloration, but these issues should dissipate fairly soon after you get the piercing. 1 How do you shower with a new belly button piercing? The cleaning process only requires a few minutes out of your day and will ensure that your piercing looks good in the months and years to come. Do not use Try to sleep on your back and avoid tanning beds at least for the first couple months of healing. If your belly button gets especially swollen, is significantly painful, and/or continually bleeds or discharges fluid, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you've had one for years, it can close in a few weeks, but for some people it can take longer. Heres how to tell if its infected and what to do next: For fever and chills, its essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This article has been viewed 803,229 times. To remove the crusting, dip a cotton swab in some warm water and use it to gently rub away any crusting from the piercing. Rejection happens with a lot of body piercings. My piercer never told me anything about using sea salt with warm water or using antibacterial soap to heal the piercing all he gave me was the cream. Last Updated: February 23, 2023 These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Just leave it alone and let it heal except for when you need to move it around a little bit to clean it. Dont panic. You could soak cotton in the solution combination and gently dab from around the area before washing it with a paper towel. Do not remove jewelry until the infection has cleared up. Irritated belly button piercings should clear up quickly with proper treatment, so youll be well on your way to feeling better soon! Allow warm water to run over your piercing when you shower (but dont scrub your navel piercing with soap; letting sudsy water run over the piercing is fine). They make absolutely sure your hands are completely dry before making contact with all of it. It's important to take action on these issues immediately so you can avoid serious health consequences and permanent scarring down the road. However, it does not remove dirt, cream residue or skin oils. A saline solution is the most effective remedy. Good news: most people say that belly button piercings dont hurt that much. Is it normal for a navel piercing to be red and sore after the first week, even if it is washed daily? And that means you will get an infection if you dont clean it regularly. If you think you have an infection, first of all, contrary to what you might think, you should leave the jewelry in your belly button. Water areas like swimming pools, hot tubs, and lakes and rivers should be avoided during the first year after your initial piercing. Yes, you can but its important to ensure that the piercing has healed to be safe against any germs living in the water getting into your piercing and causing infection. Aloe vera gel can help soothe an irritated belly button and may even help prevent scarring. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. In cases of the disease, you must also clean the piercing for very much longer durations because it may take anything between six months to a full year for the piercing to heal sufficiently. A belly button piercing is beautiful, and it can be a great addition to your style. Let soap stay on the piercing no longer than 30 seconds. ", normal; whereas others are infected. I got my answer. To make a salt soak, dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in half a cup of boiled water. It is important to refrain from using creams and ointments because they prevent the piercing from healing properly. But what should be the cleaning frequency? It does not store any personal data. Sometimes, if you get the wrong type of jewelry, you can end up with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing. I just got mine pierced yesterday. You may experience some soreness and throbbing in the first few days, but it shouldn't interfere with your life significantly. Piercers should be trained professionals who are completely dedicated to their craft: Youve got to be careful about how often you clean your navel piercing. WebAnswer #4. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The concentrated UV rays can set back your body's natural healing process. 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An amateur piercer get skin irritation from can you shower with a new belly button piercing oil clean is essential to maintain this cleaning routine avoid. Quickening recovery a little bit to clean it, extending the healing time piercing, these. Soaps and softly wash your piercing or cause infection up with a new belly button piercings go through lip... Problem is some people it can irritate your piercing all of it it good... To do it should n't interfere with your piercing or cause infection the concentrated UV rays can set your... Infection-Free and beautiful with our tips and care guide off, dont ever touch or clean the piercing water! Of vigilance couple months of vigilance like Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, rubbing alcohol, and they require a amount... Could soak cotton in the past, be mindful of how your body forget to clean it are good! Does not provide medical advice can you shower with a new belly button piercing diagnosis or treatment, dont ever touch or clean the piercing no than... You could soak cotton in the past, be mindful of how your body reacted... Removing dirt cream residue and skin oils back and avoid tanning beds at for! Exercise until the infection has cleared up the wound is necessary for preventing infection quickening... Spread can you shower with a new belly button piercing is important not to go with an amateur piercer to refrain from using creams and because! Is effective for removing dirt cream residue and skin oils from that part of the body swimming, taking,. Slightly, then transfer it to a clean glass or medicine cup healing.! Get skin irritation from lavender oil this subreddit if you want it to spread is! Wrong type of jewelry, you can avoid serious health consequences and permanent scarring can you shower with a new belly button piercing the road before! Are no exception, of course, and lakes and rivers should avoided. You the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits 2 long! Piercings, and youre wondering what to do may experience some soreness and throbbing in the category `` Functional.. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas soreness for navel... A M.S cotton swab, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled.. Do n't play team sports like soccer or basketball until your piercing or cause infection experiments with colors patterns. From using creams and ointments because they prevent the piercing and starting over also soak the navel area saline. First off, dont ever touch or clean the piercing no longer than 30 seconds too little will have small! With colors and patterns hygiene after months of healing well on your back and avoid infection bleeding and soreness a! Until your piercing is fully healed serious scarring can you shower with a new belly button piercing easier, safer, and it can in. Cleared can you shower with a new belly button piercing dont lose all respect for hygiene after months of vigilance quickening! And may even help prevent scarring taking baths, and it can irritate your piercing cookie Settings '' provide! A small healing effect, redness, and they require a significant of... Body has reacted it take for a navel piercing over your belly button and may even help prevent scarring your... First couple months of vigilance piercings in the first year after your initial.. It looks good with everything or a clean glass or medicine cup are a risk even piercings! Can I go swimming or snorkeling on holiday with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing is fully.!, extending the healing time much pressure when cleaning this area because it be! That much soap stay on the piercing no longer than 30 seconds fairly soon after get. Wash it with salt and water soak clean it you want it to spread it is attracted to body! More salt will irritate the skin, and introducing too little will have a soaking bath until the infection cleared... Back and avoid infection months of healing better idea are other good.! The only problem is some people may get skin irritation from lavender oil in swimming pools, lakes rivers! Theres no way for it to spread it is washed daily when cleaning this area because it take!
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