Navel (bellybutton) piercing creates an open wound that may take six months or more to heal completely. Tight waistbands, belts, and physical activities that involve bending at the waist can lengthen healing time.
Be sure to wash your hands before touching your piercing. Clean the piercing with an antibacterial soap twice a day. Rotate the jewelry 10-15 times to work the soap through, then rinse with water and dry with paper products, since a damp towel may harbor bacteria. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial ointments.
See your doctor immediately if you notice worsening redness or swelling, red streaks, oozing or bleeding, or a thick yellow or green discharge from the piercing site.
You're not alone. Take a look at a few of the questions related to this topic that other teens have asked us.
What are the side effects of piercing your bellybutton?
Is it safe to pierce your bellybutton yourself?
For more information, check out this article
Potential Piercing Problems: Know What to Avoid and What's Safe
Posted 3-13-03
