What does an infected belly ring look like

Your belly button doesn't serve much purpose after birth, but it's a popular place to accessorize with body jewelry. There are risks to this popular piercing site, though. The belly button is usually turned inward, so cleaning it can be challenging, which puts this piercing at risk for infection. This article will tell you how to spot an infected belly button piercing and what to do if it happens to you.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Belly button piercings are popular and generally safe with proper precautions. However, incorrect aftercare or unsanitary conditions can lead to bacterial infections. It can take from 9 months to 1 year for a belly button piercing to heal completely.

What does an infected belly ring look like

A healing belly button piercing is when the normal process of repair of tissue occurs, while an infected piercing is one where bacteria have invaded the pierced area, causing infection. A normal healing process is important after you have had a piercing. The process involves a number of steps. The first stage of healing is inflammation, which is normal after the skin has been injured. The inflammatory response includes immune system cells arriving at the site and working with growth factors to help in healing. The proliferation stage occurs next and is when new connective tissue and blood vessels are laid down, and the wound contracts. The final stage of maturation is when new collagen is deposited, and the tissue gets back its original strength and flexibility. It can take up to one year for a belly button piercing to heal. A clot will have formed after the bleeding, which happens immediately after the piercing. For about 48 hours after the piercing, the area may be red and swollen due to inflammation, but this will improve in time.

An infection can spread from a piercing throughout the body.

Bacteria can infect a belly button piercing before healing is complete. Symptoms can include pain, discoloration, and swelling. Improving hygiene and using antibiotic ointment can help. Complete healing can take 9—12 months. In the meantime, a piercing is technically a healing wound, and it may be sore, red, or irritated.

I had a piercing on my navel and am not sure if it is developing an infection or not. How do you know if your piercing is infected? Here are pictures, treatment and how to heal an infected belly button piercing with including home remedies and antibiotics. Poor piercing care is one of the major causes of infection. Infections can occur on fresh piercings as well as on old ones. Some people report to have infections years after or 6 months after healing. The rate of infection, according to statistics, is also quite high compared to other forms of piercings. How do you know your belly button is infected? What does it look like?

What does an infected belly ring look like

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Belly button piercings are popular and generally safe with proper precautions. However, incorrect aftercare or unsanitary conditions can lead to bacterial infections. It can take from 9 months to 1 year for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Even an injury to an old piercing may lead to infection. For example, if the piercing gets caught on pants or belt buckles. You may also have some clear discharge that dries and forms a crystal-like crust around the piercing.

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We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Any piercing is essentially a puncture wound. Discover possible causes of belly button discharge, such as infection or surgery. Using a warm compress is one strategy for reducing pain or irritation from an infected or inflamed body piercing. What is the risk of infection with a nipple piercing? Also learn when you should seek treatment, prevention tips, and more. Chocolate Facial. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. News lifestyle beauty Healing an infected belly piercing. See Our Editorial Process. Belly button piercings, in particular, are slow to heal and are prone to infection.

In the cool and stylish world of body art, an infected belly button piercing can stand out for all the wrong reasons. Not everyone gets to enjoy a smooth and uneventful piercing journey. Sometimes, things can go south and the piercing can get infected, leading to redness, swelling, pus, and other complications.

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The process involves a number of steps. More severe infections could enter the bloodstream from the piercing site and produce a widespread infection. Compared to other piercings, belly button piercings have a long healing time. The final stage of maturation is when new collagen is deposited, and the tissue gets back its original strength and flexibility. Thanks for your feedback! Share this article. However, if the swelling becomes severe and is accompanied by pain that feels like soreness, this may be a sign of infection, Sobel says. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can dry out your skin and irritate the area around the piercing. The doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic ointment to put on the wound.