Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Belly button
25 Answers
Hi had my belly button pierced about 2months ago but it is still very sore,red and slimmy. I clean it every day but it doesnt seem to be getting any better im not too sure but i think it may be the actual bar as i already have the top of my belly button pierced and i have never had any problems with that one
Any advice anyone
Any advice anyone
Answers
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Hey Gilly,
Try filling up a glass with really salty water. Then carefully balance it over your belly button, leaning back slightly as you put it over it. This gives it a wonderful bath and it gets right into the area. Do this morning and night for as long as it takes. If ever mine starts playing up (I've had it for about 6 years) I do this and it works a treat. Be prepared for a bit of spilt water the first few times but once you get the hang of it, it's easy as can be!! Hope it heals up hun xx
Try filling up a glass with really salty water. Then carefully balance it over your belly button, leaning back slightly as you put it over it. This gives it a wonderful bath and it gets right into the area. Do this morning and night for as long as it takes. If ever mine starts playing up (I've had it for about 6 years) I do this and it works a treat. Be prepared for a bit of spilt water the first few times but once you get the hang of it, it's easy as can be!! Hope it heals up hun xx
Oh didnt notice the 2 months. I would remove it, you dont know what is infected under your skin that is not showing. A bit like if you had an ingrowing toenail for two months you would get it removed wouldnt you, especially if its sore too. If you go for the gold bar just be very careful when swapping them over, its gonna sting like a b1tch
2 months is a bit of a long time, it should have been sorted by now. As one who works in an Operating Theatre and have seen what happens when these things become infected I'd recommend you go to your local A&E Dept and get it checked out, just to be on the safe side. If left too long these things can turn into something a little more nasty.
Symptoms of an infected belly button ring:
An infected belly button ring is difficult to ignore or miss. If your belly button ring is infected, you will feel pain, have redness and swelling, and the area around the navel may feel hot to the touch. There may even be a certain amount of bleeding. A yellowish or greenish discharge of pus may also be present.
Treatment for an infected belly button ring:
Even if after all your care, your belly button ring still gets infected then you should treat it immediately and very seriously.
- The first thing you might think of doing is removing the belly ring. But if the navel is discharging pus, DO NOT remove the belly button ring. If the ring is removed, the hole of the piercing will shut and the pus will not be able to drain out properly. This can result in a very painful abscess.
An abscess is a type of infection caught under the skin. Symptoms of an abscess include pain, swelling, and darkening and hardening of the tissue surrounding the piercing. An abscess can generally be treated by oral antibiotics, but in some cases it may need surgical removal.
An infected belly button ring is difficult to ignore or miss. If your belly button ring is infected, you will feel pain, have redness and swelling, and the area around the navel may feel hot to the touch. There may even be a certain amount of bleeding. A yellowish or greenish discharge of pus may also be present.
Treatment for an infected belly button ring:
Even if after all your care, your belly button ring still gets infected then you should treat it immediately and very seriously.
- The first thing you might think of doing is removing the belly ring. But if the navel is discharging pus, DO NOT remove the belly button ring. If the ring is removed, the hole of the piercing will shut and the pus will not be able to drain out properly. This can result in a very painful abscess.
An abscess is a type of infection caught under the skin. Symptoms of an abscess include pain, swelling, and darkening and hardening of the tissue surrounding the piercing. An abscess can generally be treated by oral antibiotics, but in some cases it may need surgical removal.
Sometimes an abscess may form even if the infected belly button ring is not taken out, mainly if the piercing is very swollen or the belly ring is very tight around the piercing. In such a case it may be advisable to change your belly ring and use one with a thinner gauge.
- To increase blood circulation to the pierced navel and allow the infection to drain, a hot compress should be used. Soaking the piercing in hot salt water is also very beneficial. Use � teaspoon table salt in 8 ounces of water. (Epsom salts cannot be used as they are not the same as sea or table salts). The container used for the soaking should be thoroughly disinfected. Hot compresses should be disposable and preferably made from clean disposable materials such as cotton balls and gauge bandages.
- Over-the-counter antiseptic creams can be used in treating mild infection. But these should not be used for an extensive period of time or for any puncture wound.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used for draining pus and clearing the infection around the belly button ring. Not to be used for aftercare though.
- In case of a systemic infection (when bacteria and toxins spread throughout the body via the bloodstream) treatment should be immediate as this type of infection can be fatal. Standard treatment requires oral and intravenous antibiotics.
Any infection that does not clear within a few days, or an abscess should be shown to a certified medical practitioner. In some cases the infection can be cured and the piercing is just fine. In others, because of the infection the hole may close and you have to get another piercing done. This does not mean you can never have a belly ring. It just means that you need to let your belly button heal and then try again. In the end, it�s going to be worth the trouble!
- To increase blood circulation to the pierced navel and allow the infection to drain, a hot compress should be used. Soaking the piercing in hot salt water is also very beneficial. Use � teaspoon table salt in 8 ounces of water. (Epsom salts cannot be used as they are not the same as sea or table salts). The container used for the soaking should be thoroughly disinfected. Hot compresses should be disposable and preferably made from clean disposable materials such as cotton balls and gauge bandages.
- Over-the-counter antiseptic creams can be used in treating mild infection. But these should not be used for an extensive period of time or for any puncture wound.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used for draining pus and clearing the infection around the belly button ring. Not to be used for aftercare though.
- In case of a systemic infection (when bacteria and toxins spread throughout the body via the bloodstream) treatment should be immediate as this type of infection can be fatal. Standard treatment requires oral and intravenous antibiotics.
Any infection that does not clear within a few days, or an abscess should be shown to a certified medical practitioner. In some cases the infection can be cured and the piercing is just fine. In others, because of the infection the hole may close and you have to get another piercing done. This does not mean you can never have a belly ring. It just means that you need to let your belly button heal and then try again. In the end, it�s going to be worth the trouble!
