During the navel piercing healing process, it is important to avoid irritating the area. Also, preventing infections is essential to minimize the irritation caused by the piercing. Performing a deep clean is the first step to prevent and treat infections affecting the navel piercing. You can also mitigate the irritation associated with an infection by protecting and disinfecting it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping the Piercing Clean
Step 1. Clean the piercing every day
Regular cleaning is the best way to speed up the healing process following the piercing. Washing it daily helps to get through the initial phase earlier, when the affected area is sore and tends to get irritated more easily. Regular cleaning also helps prevent more serious problems, such as an infection.
- After washing your hands with warm soapy water, wash both the holes that were made during the piercing and the navel with a cotton swab or a cotton swab dipped in saline solution or a neutral antibacterial soap.
- Gently twist the piercing about four times after washing.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 250ml of warm water to make a saline solution.
- Continue washing the piercing and surrounding area once or twice a day until the redness, swelling, and secretions normally caused by piercing are gone.
Step 2. Wash your piercing every time you shower
Once the piercing has healed, you will still need to wash it regularly. It is generally recommended to clean it in the shower, as the bathtub can contain bacteria that could infect it.
- Do not clean the piercing with a sponge or loofah. In addition to hiding bacteria, they could pull or otherwise irritate the piercing.
- Wash both piercing holes, navel and surrounding area with a mild soap.
- Let the soap be rinsed out of the water while you shower.
Step 3. Make sure that the piercing does not come into contact with any body fluid
Body fluids (yours or someone else's) are common irritants that could cause infections in the piercing area. Avoid getting saliva, sweat, or other liquids on or around the piercing.
When you sweat make sure you wash the piercing as soon as you get the chance
Step 4. Avoid pools and bodies of water
Do not enter swimming pools, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water while the piercing is healing or if you have an infection. Even a clean, well-maintained, and chemically treated pool can contain bacteria that could cause infection or lengthen healing.
Step 5. Follow the cleaning instructions
Once the piercing has been completed, the person who performed it will give you instructions on how to clean it correctly and promote its healing. Make sure you remember everything he tells you, and write down his instructions if you are afraid of forgetting them.
Contact the salon where you pierced to ask what to do if you notice any symptoms that are worrying or associated with an infection
Part 2 of 3: Reduce Irritations
Step 1. Avoid contact sports for two weeks
In the first few weeks, the navel piercing will be particularly prone to possible irritation. During the healing period, which is critical, avoid all activities that involve physical contact. To be more specific, avoid any strenuous exercise that could interrupt the healing process.
- Do not play team sports such as soccer or basketball until completely recovered.
- For two weeks, also avoid activities that require intense stretching, such as climbing and yoga.
Step 2. Wear loose knits
Even minimal rubbing or abrasion can irritate the navel. Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn't rub and doesn't put constant pressure on the piercing, especially during the healing period.
Step 3. Try to sleep on your back
It is important to avoid irritating your navel while you sleep. Sleeping on your side is fine, but lying on your back is preferable. Above all, avoid sleeping on your stomach.
Step 4. Don't play with the piercing
Otherwise you risk irritating it and even causing an infection. In particular, avoid absent-minded touching or pulling on it.
Be sure to wash your hands before fixing the piercing or touching the area for other reasons
Part 3 of 3: Treating an Infection
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of an infection
Once the piercing is done, the surrounding area may experience redness, soreness and / or swelling for a few weeks. However, these symptoms could be indicative of an infection if they persist for more than three weeks. Similarly, having yellowish secretions for about a week is normal following the piercing. They are symptomatic of an infection if they turn green or contain blood.
- Here are other symptoms typically associated with an infection: excessive encrustation around one or both holes in the piercing, persistent pain or tenderness to the touch, skin sensitivity, visibility of the piercing through the skin, or any movement or loosening of the piercing itself.
- See a doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Step 2. Disinfect the area with a saline-soaked tablet
This treatment is equally effective for washing and disinfecting the navel piercing. It also relieves pain or other irritation from a possible infection. Dissolve a pinch of salt in about 250ml of hot, but not boiling, water. Dip a cotton ball or piece of clean gauze into the solution. Lie on your back and gently place the tablet on the navel area for 10 minutes.
- Repeat this process twice a day to eliminate bacteria and fight irritation.
- Pat your navel dry with a napkin or paper handkerchief. You can also use a clean towel or gauze.
Step 3. Do not remove the piercing and do not use antibacterial ointments
While it's normal to be tempted to do this, you actually risk lengthening the healing process. In fact, removing the piercing can cause other complications. Similarly, an antibacterial ointment can inadvertently trap bacteria within the infected area.
Step 4. Try other remedies
It seems that tea tree oil, aloe vera, white vinegar and chamomile also have effective properties for fighting infections. Saline is the most recommended method of disinfecting the piercing, but these supplementary remedies can further relieve irritation and other symptoms associated with an infection.
Aloe vera gel helps soothe navel irritation and can also help prevent scar formation. It is available at the pharmacy
Step 5. See a doctor if you have a severe infection
Home treatments may not be enough to treat a persistent infection. See your doctor if it lasts longer than a week.
