While the healing process of a navel, or belly button, piercing is four months to a year, an infection caused by bacteria can occur at any time. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders could interfere with the healing process, so people with those conditions are advised not to get a piercing. However, if you have an infected navel ring, taking out the jewelry could lead to the formation of an abscess.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent an infection by taking good care of the piercing. While the piercing is healing, do not wear pantyhose, leotards, belts or tight clothing. Loose-fitting clothing allows air to help the healing process. After you exercise, rinse the area around the piercing because sweat could cause an infection. Do not use alcohol, peroxide or strong soaps to clean the area.
Risk of Serious Infections
Bacteria is not the only cause of infection in a navel ring. It is also possible to get a more serious infection from hepatitis, tetanus or HIV.
Choose the Right Piercing Salon
Minimize the risk of infection by choosing a legitimate, clean piercing studio. Before piercing your navel, the piercer should wash his hands and use gloves and sterile equipment. Piercing guns cannot be sterilized properly; therefore, you should not get pierced at any studio that uses them. The jewelry should also be sterilized and your navel area should be sterilized with a germicidal soap. Your skin should be cleaned again after piercing.
When to See a Doctor
If you have developed an infection, determine whether you should see a health care provider. Visit a doctor if you have a large amount of thick, green, yellow or gray discharge, or if the discharge smells bad. You should also see a doctor if infection symptoms last more than a week or continue to get worse or if you have fevers, chills, vomiting, dizziness or disorientation. You might require oral antibiotics to clear the infection. Delaying proper treatment increases the risk of a systemic infection that might require hospitalization.
Treat at Home
If the infection is mild, you can try to treat it at home with sea salt soaks. Mix a half-teaspoon of sea salt and 1 cup of water and apply it to the infection for three to four minutes. Do this three times daily. Next, clean the piercing with a liquid antibacterial soap applied directly to the jewelry, rotating it through the piercing for one minute. Rinse the area thoroughly, ensuring there is not any soap residue left.
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