Infected belly button peircing!

[lorihart]

Can't say that I am surprised b/c anything I have ever had done ALWAYS gets infected after a while.
When I got the peircing she said to soak the piercing in epson salt water and as hot as I could manage. I have had it done for about 6 weeks now and never had a hitch until last week. It started to get sore on Tues. Then yesterday I worked so I had dress pants on that were a bit high in the waist and was rubbing it.
Anyway, I don't want to take it out. I would like to be patient and wait for it to heal.It is even sore to the touch now. I am cleaning it twice a day but is there something else I could use?
This happen to anyone else?
Lori

 

[pink_fortitude]

It happened to me, too. It took almost a year for the peircing to heal. Like you I did not want to take it out. Just keep doing what you are doing and it will heal, don't worry. Oh, and don't touch it! I liked to play with mine so it got infected very easily.x( I wore really loose clothing so that it wouldn't hurt so bad whenever I sat down.

I also have used iodine to clean it out because I heard somewhere that it would help. I am not sure if that is what made the infection go away, but it didn't hurt it so it may be worth a try.

HTH
Missy

 

[lorihart]

Thanks so much! I will have to go buy some iodine. And I will admit, I picked at mine alot on Mon night. I was working and I was bored, every few minutes I would pick at it. A few days later, it was infected.
Thanks again,
Lori

 

[allwildgirl]

STOP TOUCHING IT!!! Mine took a long time to heal too, but you have to stop playing with it. Body piercings are incredibly susceptible to infection and you have to leave it alone. Clean it in the shower with a mild antibacterial soap and water. You can use Polysporin on it and that will help with the infection. Be patient.

 

[lorihart]

I should have given you guys more detail. The outside, the part between both pieces of the "barbell" is very red and swollen. There is no doubt that something is not right but I did read as well, that you should be careful of how much epsom salt you use b/c it could burn the skin. Maybe that is also what is happening? I thought about laying off of the epsom salt for a while but when I got it pireced and I mentioned to her about using polysporin,alcohol,peroixide, she flatly said "NO". Just epson salt. Everyone that I know who as had it done, as used something different to clean it with.
I think I am going to buy the iodine and start using polysporin and see how it looks in a weeks time. Does this sound like a good idea? And I will stop touching it, I promise!
Lori

 

[1HotBikerChick]

Polysporin, neosporin are both good for piercing infections. You should also use peroxide. Get a small cup, put a little in, press the cup to your belly & tip it so that it soaks without you having to touch it--probably the same way you do the epsome salt soak.

The other advice you've been given is great too!

 

[rcook]

Lori, have you been putting triple antibiotic ointment on it? That is what the girl that pierced mine told me to use... so now when mine gets a little irratated because of chlorine water, I put that stuff on it, and it works..... and it only costs about 3 dollars at walmart, I use the equate stuff... hope this helps... Rhonda

 

[Timber99]

Another different theory to consider...

I have had mine for about a year & a half and I have never had an issue w/infection. I used Dial anit-bacterial (non-deodorant) liquid soap twice per day for about a 9 month period. I bought one of those little hand dispensers and kept it in my shower. After I finished with everything (shampoo, body gel, etc. - anything scented), I clean the piercing w/the dial soap. It is a good idea to take your barbell and sort of pull it up and down once or twice to get the soap in there. Then clean it out very well to get the soap out. I still clean it the same way, but now only once per day when I shower.

The girl where I got mine pierced said not to use peroxide at all or any healing agent (like neosporin, etc). They cautioned against anything but the above-method. But everyone has their own theory, we all know that!

My last piece of advice is that if it doesn't heal in the next few days, consider taking a ride to the piercing shop to have them take a look or make a suggestion or even let your doc take a look.

Also try very hard not to toy with it. It only aggravates it. I konw...easier said than done!

Good Luck!

Christine