What do you do for an infected belly button piercing?
What are the treatment options?
- wash the hands before touching the piercing.
- cleanse the area with a piercing cleaning solution.
- apply an antibiotic ointment to the infection.
- avoid removing the piercing unless a doctor suggests doing so.
Should I squeeze the pus out of my belly button piercing?
Leave any crust alone. It’s normal for a white or yellow-colored fluid (not pus) to ooze from your new piercing. This may form a crust that can itch or feel tight. Try not to pick at it, since that will cause the area to bleed. This crust will come off on its own as your piercing heals.
How do you tell if your belly button is infected or healing?
Signs of infection include:
- severe swelling with pain and redness.
- yellow, green, gray, or brown discharge that has an odor.
- red lines that radiate from the piercing site.
- fever, chills, dizziness, upset stomach, or vomiting.
Why does my belly button piercing still pus?
You might notice that your navel feels warm to the touch, may look inflamed and might be sore. This is okay on the first two days of getting your piercing. However, if the redness persists causing your piercing to swell and you see smelly, greenish-yellow pus oozing out of it, it is time for prompt action.
Will a belly button infection go away on its own?
Your outlook depends on the cause of the odor. You can quickly resolve hygiene conditions by washing your belly button every day. With proper treatment, an infection should clear up within a few days. Here are more tips for managing body odor.
Can a belly button infection be serious?
If your belly button is “leaking” clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.
Why is stuff coming out of my belly button?
Dirt, bacteria, fungus, and germs can get trapped inside your belly button and start to multiply, which can cause an infection. If you develop a belly button infection, you might notice white, yellow, brown, or bloody discharge seeping out of it. That discharge might also have an unpleasant smell.
Should I let my belly button piercing close up?
The time to close up a hole is not when the piercing is infected. While you may think that removing jewelry seems like a good idea when the infection has set in, it’s not. Dermatologists caution against removal as the infection can get trapped if the hole closes.
Can I clean my belly button piercing with alcohol?
Then use a cotton swab and your cleaning solution to gently wipe the area around your belly button and the ring. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can dry out your skin and irritate the area around the piercing.
Is belly button infection serious?
How do you treat a yeast infection in your belly button?
Yeast infection Along with a white discharge, candidiasis can cover your navel with an itchy, red rash. Treatment: Use an antifungal cream such as miconazole nitrate (Micatin, Monistat-Derm) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and keep your navel clean and dry.
What are the symptoms of a belly button infection?
Some general symptoms of an infection in the belly button include:
- redness or skin discoloration in or around the belly button.
- itching or swelling of the affected skin.
- a tender mass that bleeds or releases a foul-smelling discharge.
- fever or chills.
- nausea or vomiting.
What does it mean if your belly button is infected?
While an infected belly button may sound off-putting or unpleasant, it’s usually a fairly minor infection that clears up quickly. The dark, warm environment in your belly button is a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, which can occasionally lead to infections.
What to do if your belly button is an innie?
If your belly button is an “innie,” clean it with salt water to prevent another infection from occurring. Mix a spoonful of table salt in 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. Then, dip 1 finger into the solution. Use your finger to massage the saltwater into the recesses of your belly button.
What to do if your belly button piercing is infected?
If you suspect an infection, don’t remove the jewelry on your own, unless your doctor tells you to do so. Most piercings don’t need to be removed to treat infections. Keeping the piercing hole open allows pus to drain. Allowing the hole to close may trap the infection inside of your body, causing an abscess to form.
What to do if you cut your belly button?
Many are harmless, but some can cause infections. That’s especially true if you cut or break the skin near your belly button or if you don’t clean your belly button regularly. Clean your belly button when you bathe and you can prevent infections. Just use soap and water and your fingertip or a washcloth.