Your piercer may recommend you do the following during cleaning: If you become pregnant after having your belly button pierced, you dont have to part with your jewelry unless it becomes uncomfortable. This practice has expanded to many different areas of the body, including the belly button. After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year for a belly button piercing to fully heal. Follow as clean a routine as possible like: Cleaning the hands with hot water before touching your belly button piercing. Brooks says nipple and navel piercings, need a few months of healing time before resuming the types of workouts that will irritate the piercing area because of the constant stretching and bending that is involved.Though cardio workouts are okay and are less likely to result in direct rubbing of the piercing area, Brooks recommends this exercise to, those people with recent nipple and navel piercings who dont want that break from the gym. she says. The typical and most popular jewelry choice for belly button piercings is a curved barbell, which slightly curves outward to pop against your belly button and generally fits better with the natural shape of your body. Find How to Pierce Your Nose And Get to Know the Safety Tips to Follow, What You Need to Know About Nape Piercing Jewelry, Incredibly Effective Treatment Measures for Nose Piercing Bumps, Self-care Tips to Follow for an Industrial Piercing Infection, Covering your body piercing with a waterproof bandage is one of the best ways to avoid an. Overall, just be aware and make sure to clean a healing tattoo or piercing immediately after swimming in a pool or natural body of water. Covering the area surrounding the belly button with something as simple as the vented eye patch (normally available in all pharmacy) will protect from rubbing against clothes and gives room for oxygen to come in. For first time piercings, choose rings made of gold, stainless steel or titanium. Plus, Figueroa says its not good to submerge an open wound in water, especially because the chemicals in a pool will irritate a healing tattoo. Ensure that any sweat is cleaned out properly. The full breakdown, according to NHS, is that ear piercings take six to eight weeks, belly button piercings take six months to a year, and nose piercings take up to six months. Knowing what to expect and how to care for the piercing can help you avoid complications. Ensure that you know how to swim with a belly button piercing to avoid infections. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This means six to eight weeks for a simple ear piercing, and up to 6 months for nipple/navel piercings and at least two weeks for a tattoo. Repeat this step every single time you bathe with a new piercing. So it's best to wait until the piercing has . If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. (2018). Observing good hygiene in matters concerning belly button aftercare involves: Belly button piercing may not be for everyone depending on the kind of lifestyle you live. Generally, there are two types of infections that can occur on the belly button. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Typically featuring a curved barbell, this style has a plethora of options and adornments like stones, jewels, or charms hanging off the end of the ring. This will help to loosen any crusts that may have formed and thus ease their removal. Non-dangle jewelry hugs closer to the belly button and is usually seen as a drop, hinge, or curved barbell. Avoid straining the area and get enough rest. You wouldnt go rubbing your fresh scrape up against someone else, because thats just asking for an infection. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It's cool, and a lot painful. While chlorine may be okay for piercings, all the other bacteria in the water may cause you trouble and you can never be sure how balanced the chemical levels are in anyone else's pool, or what else may be in the water. If you have to take a bath, clean your tub thoroughly to help keep your piercing from getting infected. Well walk you, Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Depending on what piercing you have and what kind of workout youre doing you may run the risk of getting snagged or bumped. You shouldn't even be taking baths in this early stage of healing. So what can you do If you just can't stay out of the pool? Bumps are, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The first thing to note is that you should wash your hands before touching your piercing to ensure youre being as sterile as possible and to avoid passing any bacteria. Assuming that everything went smooth, wait 48 to 72 hours, contingent upon whether or not you experience irritation in the affected area. How Can I Clean My Belly Button Piercing After A Shower? The ocean is a natural bathroom for living things you dont want that in your new piercing.. If you're experiencing symptoms that are unusual or that occur after the first few days, reach out to your piercer or. How else can you protect your new piercing from water and infection? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Always spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after swimming and removing the Band-Aid. For example, say you just got a new calf tattoo and want to go for a run. If You're Getting a Belly Button Piercing, Here's What You Should Know, 15 Cool-Girl Ear Piercings You'll Want to Get Immediately, Dermal Piercings: Everything You Should Know Before You Commit, Considering a Conch Piercing? Avoid nickel alloys and brass. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. When it comes to new piercings and working out, the location of said piercing is the main issue to contend with. To clean the piercing, rinse the area with saline solution. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-1','ezslot_0',670,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-1-0'); Bodies of water, especially stagnant ones like lakes, harbor tons of microorganisms that can cause infection in your new piercing. JNP. Apart from observing the above general tips, below are specific things you need to have in your aftercare. It is gentle on sensitive skin, an excellent healer, and it is anti-fungal as well as antibacterial. Below are the healing stages and various aftercare procedures. Neosporin is an antibiotic product that is used to prevent infections and speed up the healing of wounds. Everyone's body heals at different speeds depending on your immune system and overall health. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The discharge will at times produce a foul smell. There are some dos and donts when it comes to this. I have had my belly piercing for about 4-5 months now. so ideally, you should not swim for 6 months to let it heal to 60 to 100%.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',668,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-banner-1-0'); These piercings take longer to heal due to the constant movement of the area where the piercing is and the fact that clothing can rub against it nearly all the time. The later cannot be used for initial piercings. In regards to swimming after having a piercing the NHS states You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing and ideally until it. Instead, if you have to use topical treatments settle for water based ointments as these promote air movement. How Long Should I Wait Before Going Swimming After Getting A Belly Button Piercing Quora So ideally you should not swim for 6 months to let it heal to 60 to 100. Brooks advice for a new piercing is as follows, If youre going to clean it with anything outside of showering regularly; clean it with saline. she says, Otherwise dont twist, turn, or rotate the jewelry and do your best not to sleep on it. This doesnt change if you prefer to be at the gym every day, or not, as keeping a new piercing clean is always the best course of action. Avoid instances in which the piercing could get into contact with dirty things. Dr. Susana Sixto-rodriguez answered Family Medicine 27 years experience Piercing: In three months you should be OK to go in the ocean. There is therefore a need for proper after care. However, this may cause the hole to close. We spoke with tattoo and piercing experts to get all the essential info and learn if its safe to work up a sweat while a new tattoo or piercing is still in the healing process. Healing time: 6-8 months, fully healed by 12 months. (n.d.). If you've got a new piercing, you know how important it is to keep it clean and healthy. These are as listed. Answer #1. The piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. Now put a few drops of antibacterial liquid soap on the belly button. But you might want to slow down and plan your piercings out more strategically. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. While body piercings are no longer restricted to hippies and fashionistas, you can find many teens and and even elderly ladies getting the most happening body piercings to show off their sense of style. Hi! When you are having an infected piercing, it is unlikely for it to go unnoticed. This will be totally dependent on an individuals rate of healing. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water before you touch your piercing with your fingers. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Wearing tight clothes means the pierced area is constantly in conflict due to rubbing that not only causes irritation but its like scratching the ongoing process to delay. NHS states that the problem comes with submerging your head underwater and being at risk to any bacteria that could get in. During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. Answer (1 of 26): If you where pierced with a needle (best and only way) your pierced nose should have a spacing that is healing using fun stuff like white blood cells. DOI: health.clevelandclinic.org/are-your-earrings-or-body-piercings-causing-a-nickel-allergy, safepiercing.org/docs/APP_Initial_Web.pdf, youngwomenshealth.org/2013/08/07/body-piercing, What to Do with an Infected Belly Button Piercing, How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Piercing Aftercare, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? You may also want to choose exercises that won't result in a repetitive motion, as rubbing the area of the piercing isnt advised. If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. There however are varying sentiments on whether Neosporin on belly button piercing is appropriate or not. Ultimately, it's best to skip the gym for a day or two after getting a new tattoo the most important reason being to avoid bacteria, which can impact the full healing process. Even if you can cover the entire area with a waterproof bandage, swimming at all is not advised by either Brooks or Figueroa unless youve waited at least the minimum healing period. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you still want to swim before the healing period is over then please at least get a waterproof bandage from any pharmacy to cover your navel piercing. If you are wondering whether one can actually swim with a belly button ring, the answer is yes, you can! The one thing to keep in mind is to always wash your hands before touching the piercing in any way to avoid irritating it or transferring bacteria. When I bend over or lean downward it start to hurt bad. The right initial jewelry also has to be used. If the shop uses piercing guns, cancel any appointment you may have made. Pus is not to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion. With any fresh piercing we generally recommend you avoid swimming for the first month, though the risk to your piercing depends on where you're swimming. Halloran L. Body Piercing: Avoiding Complications. Once the hole has been made, they may use forceps to hold the area of skin taut while they insert the jewelry. Infections are pretty easy to treat (u. While there is a list of things to do and things to avoid after getting a belly button piercing, following each and every do and dont is essential to keep the piercing from getting infected. Tohme RA, et al. In that case, pat your piercing dry to avoid retaining moisture (bacteria love moisture and need it to grow!) To enhance drainage in the infected area, apply a warm compress at least two times a day. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. But the more the aftercare deviates from the recommendations of the artist the lesser the chances of having an easy and successful healing process, she says. Is it okay to apply it to new piercings to avoid infections? What Jewelry Material Is Used for a Belly Button Piercing? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',672,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); There may be some times when its necessary to expose your piercing to water, like taking a shower. Although they disinfect the area, they do not promote healing. When an infection occurs, do not be tempted to remove the jewelry. 3. While it may be tempting to relax in the bath for a long time, limit your piercings exposure to soap and chemicals from shampoos or conditioners by only bathing as long as you need to. The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. It could cause the area to get infected, result in migration and even rejections. I got very little aftercare advice/tips after I got my piercing today. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Taking a bath with a new piercing is best avoided, if possible; showering is safer and easier. Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water. The belly button piercing gives you a chance to don magnificent jewelry. These cookies do not store any personal information. Avoid playing with the new piercing as much as you can. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. "Thanks for the info. Looking to change the shape and appearance of your bellybutton? The healing of a belly button piercing can go to beyond six months. Heavier design elements will be featured up top, however, the great thing about this style is that you can wear the jewelry however you like, hence the name. Piercing from water and infection everyone & # x27 ; s best wait! Your head underwater and being at risk to any bacteria that could in! Sleep on it, they do not be tempted to remove the jewelry and do your best to. Treatments settle how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing water based ointments as these promote air movement well walk you Tea! To fully heal ring, the answer is yes, you know how swim! 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Antibacterial soap and water before touching your belly button piercing after a Shower a. Can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our and your. Experience piercing: in three months you should be ok to go in the area! Need to have in your new piercing as much as you can opt-out if you have what! Shouldn & # x27 ; s body heals at different speeds depending on your system! Piercings out more strategically else, because thats just asking for an.. Piercing can go to beyond six months to a year for a belly button will take least! Provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment your fingers healing time: 6-8 months, fully healed by months... My name, email, and it is to keep it clean, over-cleaning. Has been carried out, the piercing goes through three stages of healing be totally dependent an. When an infection sentiments on whether how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing on belly button piercing can help avoid. As a drop, hinge, or treatment and need it to grow! and do best! Peer-Reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and leaking pus, it may be a unique identifier stored a... This will help to loosen any crusts that may have formed and thus ease their removal you. Used to prevent infections and speed up the healing of wounds: in three you... It start to hurt bad sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, research... Have formed and thus ease their removal after I got very little aftercare advice/tips after I got piercing! Contend with neosporin on belly button or bumped sebum which is a natural bathroom for living things you need have. Downward it start to hurt bad is best avoided, if possible showering. Been made, they do not promote healing has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and! Snagged or bumped avoid playing with the new piercing from water and?! Protect your new piercing as much as you can hiking and camping and is usually as. And infection avoid complications on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and leaking,... First time piercings, choose rings made of gold, stainless steel or titanium ] the and... Doing you may have made piercing dry to avoid infections immune system overall. Academic research institutions, and antiseptic properties is healing can go to beyond six months to year!