BELLY button piercings can be a fun way of adding some sparkle to your look.
In fact, piercings are one of the oldest forms of body modification – dating back to the ice-age!
But it’s important to know how to take care of them.
From infections to pus, if you don’t clean piecing regularly you could end up in a lot of pain.
Can you get your belly button pierced if its an outie?
Unfortunately, if you have an outie belly button, chances are you won’t be able to it jazzed up.
A belly button has to be the right shape to pierce, according to NeilMed.
Expect to be turned away from getting a navel piercing if your belly button isn’t quite right for the piercing.
And it’s important you listen to your piercers advice and do it yourself, or find someone who will.
How bad does belly button piercing hurt?
Getting a belly button piercing may not be as painful as you expect.
Jef Saunders, president of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), said piercers compare the pain levels to getting your eyebrows waxed or an injection.
The initial pain is sharp and you can feel pressure, but it is over very quickly.
You may feel sore in the days afterwards, but that should quickly subside.
If the pain doesn’t ease, go and see your GP.
What are the symptoms of a belly button piercing infection?
According to the NHS, your piercing might be infected if:
- the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark
- there’s blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow
- you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell
How to treat a belly button piercing infection?
If your piercing gets infected, you may need to get a course of antibiotics, which can be taken as a cream, ointment or tablets.
You should also clean the piercing with soap and water at least two times per day and dry with a paper towel.
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can also help minimise the pain caused by the infection.
What do I do if my belly button piercing is rejecting?
Piercing rejection is not very common – but it does happen.
It usually takes place in the first few weeks after you’ve had the piercing done.
According to Healthline, signs of rejection include: transparent-looking skin, change in colour and your skin looking thinner or tighter around the piercing.
Some inflammation is expected when you have a new piercing- but keep an eye on it.
If inflammation continues to get worse, your body could be rejecting the it.
Doctor Angelo Landriscina a dermatologist from New York, US, said people should first remove the rejected belly ring.
“Allowing the inflammation around the piercing to carry on can result in unsightly scarring,” she told Health.com.
After you’ve cleaned the hole, sometimes it’s possible to put a loop suture into the piercing to keep the hole from closing.
You should then cover the wound with a thick ointment like petroleum jelly and a plaster under the hole closes.
“[You] can try again after the first piercing heals,” she added.
How long does belly button piercing take to heal?
Belly button piercings take a very long time to heel – much longer than ears or noses.
According to the NHS, the piercings take between six months and one year to fully close up.
When can I swim after belly piercing?
Ideally you should hold off swimming until it has healed properly.
And if not, wait for at least 24 hours after having a piercing.