Belly button piercings are among the longest to heal, according to an article in the "Pediatrics" September 2004 issue. The wound to the navel can take as long as a year to heal before you are safe from the threat of closing up the piercing. For various reasons, you might decide to remove your belly button ring. Caring for your belly button piercing during a removal of body jewelry can keep you infection-free.
Step 1
Keep your piercing intact by having your doctor insert a non-metallic spacer in your navel piercing if you have to remove your belly button ring prior to a medical procedure. According to an article in the September 2004 issue of "Pediatrics," body jewelry can interfere with some kinds of imaging tests and can cause electrical burns on your body during surgery.
People who do not want a navel piercing to close up during an extended period of medically-necessary jewelry removal can ask their doctor to place a very thin catheter through the piercing until the belly button ring can be reinserted. The site is disinfected with alcohol prior to the catheter placement.
Step 2
Clean your belly button piercing daily, whether or not you are currently wearing jewelry. Your piercing may ooze a light-colored discharge during the healing process. This is normal and can be removed with a moistened cotton swab. Wash both your belly button ring and the piercing site with unscented anti-bacterial soap.
Step 3
Protect your piercing from dirt and bacteria when you are not wearing a belly button ring. In addition to washing the area, wear loose clothing that will not irritate the piercing site, especially if you've removed your jewelry before healing is complete. If your shirt tends to rub against your navel, cover the area with a bandage to reduce the friction. MayoClinic.com explains that oxygenation of the wound is imperative to a healthy piercing, so keep the bandaging to a minimum.
Things You'll Need
- Non-metallic spacer
- Antibacterial soap
- Cotton swabs
- Bandage
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