Belly Piercing Question? Graphic

vixen16 · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by Ping

To the best of my knowledge (and I have several tats and piercings) infections are not part of the healing process. I have never gotten any infection during the process an infection means something is wrong. I have never had a keloid so I have no idea if that is what it is or not but from what you said stuff oozes (btw what color) out of it would be enough to send me to a doctors office at the most and at the least a trip to a studio to find out what the heck is going on.

Stuff doesnt Ooze out... heres what the Info the Piercing dude gave me says...
"All new Piercings will Secrete a Gooey, Sticky Fluid called Lymph. This will dry up and form a Ring of Crust on the Jewelry at the Piercing Holes, making moving the Jewelry Painful"
There is More to the After Care Directions but thats just a piece.
The "Lymph" is what would happen to my Piercing but not often.

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The After Care Directions also mention a antibiotic called Bacitracin.. but it also says not to use it for more than 7Days.

It also Mentions a Possible Metal Allergy ((but I dont think thats it cause the Allergy should have started a while ago)).

mrblanche · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by keith p

Go the doctor, thats an infection. They have an antibacterial cream you can put on it, but the doctor would know which one is best, usually it's a type for peircing infections.

Man, I was going to say that is an infection if I've ever seen one, and an infection around the navel is nothing to mess with. I'm no doctor, and I don't play one on TV, but I'd be at my doctor's office tomorrow if I saw anything like that anywhere on my body.

If you saw that on your cat, or posted a picture of it on your cat here, every one of these knowledgeable members would tell you to have your kitty at the vet's tomorrow.

So...ladies, am I wimp, or am I sticking up for common sense here?

vixen16 · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by fwan

you need to use salt and water! antibacterial soap make me go all itchy and weird with piercings!

when i got my navel pierced bless it was.. 5 and a half years ago, they also told me to use antibacterial soap but my piercer he was absolutely wonderful reccomended me using sea salt with water and rising it three times a day!
I took his advice and my piercing healed with in 2 weeks, but kept on rinsing it twice a day for another 8 weeks just incase!

just use a cup of warm water with one tea spoon sea salt, if you dont have sea salt just use 2 and half teaspoons of table salt.

I wrote that all down.. were gonna pick up some Sea Salt when we go to the store in a couple days.. till then ill use Salt. Ill try that and see if it helps. Thanx

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Gosh you guys Post quick! lol its hard to keep up with you all.

vixen16 · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by mrblanche

Man, I was going to say that is an infection if I've ever seen one, and an infection around the navel is nothing to mess with. I'm no doctor, and I don't play one on TV, but I'd be at my doctor's office tomorrow if I saw anything like that anywhere on my body.

If you saw that on your cat, or posted a picture of it on your cat here, every one of these knowledgeable members would tell you to have your kitty at the vet's tomorrow.

So...ladies, am I wimp, or am I sticking up for common sense here?

It actually doesnt look that bad... the pic was taken without flash so it came out a lil dark.. making the Pinkish/Red look Red.
Umm ok here.. have you ever gotten Puss Pockets on your Hands? well it looks sorta like that but a lil Pinker.

glitch · Mar 2, 2008

Okay I have alot of piercings and have had my belly button done for 13 years, and to me that looks like a whitehead at the to of your piercing. Maybe thats the light reflection or something, but it looks like a white bump. I would use sea salt, and probably wouldn't use table salt at all! OWWW!!!

Just out of curiosity, do you want to see what a navel piercing looks like after you've had it for a long time?? Its not quite as pretty anymore!

Does it hurt?? Is it overly sensitive? What color is the goo?? Is it just white or yellow or does it have a weird hue to it?? I dont think a keloid would pus outwardly... I changed my jewelry on everything I got pierced the same day they did it! But I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a high pain tolerence and are looking for infection!

crazyforinfo · Mar 2, 2008

Mine looked like that for a few days. I had the same piercing too. I was pulling the ring in my sleep. It healed on it's own in a few days. As soon as I could I switched to a banana bar instead. I would google body piercing sites. I found a few good ones that offered advice like sea salt.

catlover19 · Mar 2, 2008

My friend got her belly button pierced before and it started to look like that and ended up with a huge bump and she had to take it out. I would definitely get it checked. I have had mine done since my 16th birthday and it is fine, never had any problems with it.

babygirl2000 · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by Ping

When in doubt call or go by the studio that did your piercing. I had my navel done years ago and it did not look like that so I don't have a clue as to what could be wrong or how to fix it. I vote is call or go by the studio.

ETA if the studio closed down talk or go to another one.

I agree. I had mine done years ago and didn't look like that. I would call the studio.

arlyn · Mar 2, 2008

And despite what others have told you, an infection is NOT part of the healing process.
And that pic does indeed look infected.
I have nipple, navel, nose and tongue done, and have never had an infection, nor anything resembling what's in your pic.
That definitely needs to be seen by a doctor.

fwan · Mar 2, 2008

I also forgot to mention, did the piercer say it was ok to use the ring? because my piercer told me its a big no no and just to use the stud.

ricalynn · Mar 2, 2008

Originally Posted by strange_wings

^ You're not supposed to take anything out till it heals, no matter where the hole is.

Actually, if it's infected (which it looks like it most likely is) it would be necessary to remove the ring to clean the wound properly. My earlobe got infected 10 days after piercing, and my doctor instructed me just as Brandi said: soak the stud in peroxide, then alcohol, then reinsert (after cleaning the piercing in like manner) and keep twisting to spin freely. Still took almost another 10 days to clear up, but my ear's been successfully pierced for over 20 years now! (did I say that out loud? Oy vey I'm getting old!)

cheylink · Mar 2, 2008

Hey

! I didn't read every post, but I did run through and read yours. Belly piercings are extremely sensitive and often take much longer then 6 months to heal. Even if it seems healed after 6 moths, removing your stud or ring, especially the first time, for any extended time, is not a good idea if you plan on keeping the piercing. The picture may look worse then you feel it is, but you have t be honest with yourself here and admit it's simply not healing properly, inside, bottom of, top of, it's not healed! Stop using anti bacterial soap immediately, this is bad! You need to use an antiseptic/ antimicrobial cleanser like Hibiclens, most pharmacies carry it, if not they can get it for you, very important! The bubble is basically an infection of the inner membrane area forming an ulcer or blister. Thats why there was blood. If not properly treated, it can scar over to form a keloid like growth. It is not uncommon for these type of irritations to develop years later.
Wash with Hibiclens as directed, apply Neosporin/antiseptic ointment 2 times a day, dab on top and bottom also on ring, turn ring through piercing and side to side slowly making sure ointment goes inside thoroughly and piercing is kept moisturized always, no lotion! Neosporin, antibacterial ointment and vitamin e only! No soaps but Hibiclens! Also if any signs of irritation, sensitivity, redness, 2-3 times a day clean with hydrogen peroxide. There are posts with flat circular ends, one side screws on for easier comfort as far as clothing irritating your piercing.
Believe me, I had my first piercing before any piercing shops were available. In the 80's in the back of a photography studio of someone who did piercing on the side, in NYC! I had my lip done and my roommate had his tongue done, thats another story! My roommate ended up in the hospital that week form a burst blood vessel in his tongue! Blood everywhere! Anyway...........
There are to many piercing parlors and self proclaimed piercers giving poor treatment advise and follow up if any! Keep up with the care and cleaning, and it will heal, but remember it is a sensitive area and can easily be irritated if ignored........

tobi · Mar 3, 2008

Hi!
I skimmed all 3 pages but I don't think anyone's said this (if they did, sorry!)
Take the ring out, now!! I'm partially trained as a body piercer (grew tired of the hobby a year or two ago) and have seen this exact thing so many times. On myself when I was 13 too

You want to get an ordinary navel banana bar. A good quality one. I know that you're not "meant" to take it out until it heals, but trust me, it will heal if you do this, in my experience anyway.
Go to a piercing shop and actually get them to measure the piercing (You can do this at home yourself if you'd rather not spend the money... if you're unsure though it's better going into the store). You just need to measure the amount of millimeters (sorry, metric) from hole to hole when the piercing is out. Even though you only really see the standard 10mm navel bars in stores, many sell smaller ones. My navel needs a 6mm bar because of a dodgy piercing I got when I was 13, but now it looks fine, and that's quite a few years ago. When your piercing heals, go for it and get a ring... but if it starts looking dodgy again you'll know why!
Sorry if someone's already said this, but definitely give it a try - my doctor didn't really have a clue why mine was wrong, just said take it out. As a 14 year old then, I was like "as if i'm taking this thing out!"
So... let me know how it works out!

cheylink · Mar 3, 2008

Originally Posted by Tobi

Hi!
I skimmed all 3 pages but I don't think anyone's said this (if they did, sorry!)
Take the ring out, now!! I'm partially trained as a body piercer (grew tired of the hobby a year or two ago) and have seen this exact thing so many times. On myself when I was 13 too

You want to get an ordinary navel banana bar. A good quality one. I know that you're not "meant" to take it out until it heals, but trust me, it will heal if you do this, in my experience anyway.
Go to a piercing shop and actually get them to measure the piercing (You can do this at home yourself if you'd rather not spend the money... if you're unsure though it's better going into the store). You just need to measure the amount of millimeters (sorry, metric) from hole to hole when the piercing is out. Even though you only really see the standard 10mm navel bars in stores, many sell smaller ones. My navel needs a 6mm bar because of a dodgy piercing I got when I was 13, but now it looks fine, and that's quite a few years ago. When your piercing heals, go for it and get a ring... but if it starts looking dodgy again you'll know why!
Sorry if someone's already said this, but definitely give it a try - my doctor didn't really have a clue why mine was wrong, just said take it out. As a 14 year old then, I was like "as if i'm taking this thing out!"
So... let me know how it works out!

I don't think any one mentioned this either and it is ultimately the best thing to do if you are determined to keep this piercing! It may not be the look your after but will pay off in the long run! You don't want to mess with your belly button! Another issue with this type of irritation and prolonged healing is the piercing begins to grow out. Some people have had to re pierce theirs from extension. Sometimes if the irritation persists for an extended amount of time its best to let the hole close and re pierce.....

lillekat · Mar 3, 2008

That's an infection by the looks of things - especially if there's pus and blood - wear loose clothing, talk to the piercing place and go talk to the doctor about having it cleaned properly and getting some antibiotics to clear up the infection. It could be due to your being allergic to the metal of the piercing, that you've gotten something nasty in it from your clothes or fingers, possibly even the soap.

vixen16 · Mar 3, 2008

Well the Bubble is gone! yea idk.. I washed it with Table Salt Water once yesterday ((right before I went to sleep.. and yes it did sting a lil)) and now the Bubble it gone.. [im not sure if its the salt water that did it]. Its just a lil red and has a lil Lymph.

I think im gonna stick with the Sea Salt idea for a lil bit and see if that helps, if not than I might go with Cheylinks idea.. im not sure exactly cause im sorta being tossed around on what to do.

Some of you sound like you may think ive already taken my Piercing out.. No I Havnt!... to be honest I have no clue how to take it out so im waiting till im 100% sure its ready ((obviously its not yet.. Hence its still in)).
The Ring thats in now is the one the Piercer gave me ((he gave them to everyone who got there belly Pierced)).

The Piercer also said dont wash it with anything BUT Anti Bacterial Soap and that Peroxide was very bad as it would make it get really Gooey.

Oh and the Piercer came Highly recommended.. I was very weary of who did my Piercing ((I had a highly recommended place picked out in FL but we ended up Moving))... When I moved to PA I had met a friend and I was talking to her about it and how Picky I was about it.. she said "Mike" was the person to go to. She had gotten Several ((Large)) Tattoos done by him and he did an awsome job ((drawing, healing etc.)).. and her friend recommended him to her.

emrldsky · Mar 3, 2008

Are you allergic to Nickel at all? I had the same issue with mine when I got it a while ago, and I'm highly allergic to nickel (even though they SWORE there was only trace amounts of it in the ring). I got a solid gold banana-bar type ring and had no problems from then on. I've had mine out for a few years now (felt too "old" for it, lol), but once I switched to solid gold, I was fine.

Good luck!!

vixen16 · Mar 3, 2008

Originally Posted by emrldsky

Are you allergic to Nickel at all? I had the same issue with mine when I got it a while ago, and I'm highly allergic to nickel (even though they SWORE there was only trace amounts of it in the ring). I got a solid gold banana-bar type ring and had no problems from then on. I've had mine out for a few years now (felt too "old" for it, lol), but once I switched to solid gold, I was fine.

Good luck!!

Idk.. the ring is suppose to be Stainless Steel.. can there still be Nickel in Steel??
ive bought a couple Stainless Steel Banana Bells for later.. that would Suck if thats the issue.

Isnt Solid Gold Expensive.. like into the $100+??

ping · Mar 3, 2008

Nickel is in a lot of jewelry that is not soild gold (yellow). Even white gold has nickel in it. I am mildly allergic to nickel if its in earrings but am fine if its in rings.

ping · Mar 3, 2008

Originally Posted by Vixen16

Idk.. the ring is suppose to be Stainless Steel.. can there still be Nickel in Steel??
ive bought a couple Stainless Steel Banana Bells for later.. that would Suck if thats the issue.

Isnt Solid Gold Expensive.. like into the $100+??

I just looked this up stainless steel apparently has 4% nickel in it. This explains why I can never wear it. Titanium is nickel free as is yellow gold. I have to make sure all my earrings are nickel free.

Belly Piercing Question? *Graphic*

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Belly Piercing Question? Graphic