Try to make sure to use your nails to scrape out and remove any dirt from underneath your nails. Dirt from underneath your nails could also transfer to and infect your piercing as you touch it.
Your piercing should be washed with soap twice a day. However, you can use a Q-Tip dipped in water or salt water to remove crust as well. Just try not to clean it with a Q-Tip more than 3 times a day. You want to avoid over cleaning the piercing. You should always shower rather than taking a bath. With a shower, you have a steady stream of clean water, whereas a bath contains standing water mixed with sweat, dirt, and residue from your bathing products. It’s better to dry your piercing using paper towels, since they are clean and disposable. [4] X Research source Bath towels, on the other hand, can harbor moisture and bacteria. Avoid twisting or turning your piercing too much while you clean it in the shower. Any excessive movement can cause irritation and bleeding.
You could also make a warm compress with salt water and a folded up paper towel, or use a sterile sea-salt spray purchased from your local drug store.
Any excessive touching (especially with unwashed hands) can make your piercing more susceptible to opening up and bleeding, or becoming infected. [9] X Expert Source Sasha BlueProfessional Body Piercer Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
This added irritation could potentially create more scarring and slow down your body’s natural healing process.
Harsh cleansers like hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol should also be avoided. These disinfectants can kill the cells that help rebuild the puncture site of the piercing. Cleaning solutions containing Benzalkonium Chloride (or BZK) should also be avoided, as these can similarly inhibit your piercing from properly healing. [12] X Research source Much like these cleansers, any oils, lotions, sunscreens, and makeup should be kept away from your piercing site. These products can all clog your piercing and encourage an infection.
Also be cautious when changing or undressing. Removing your clothes roughly or quickly, increases your chances of snagging your piercing on your clothes, and causing injury.
This is because all of these water sources could potentially make prolonged contact with your new piercing, with water that might be harboring infecting contaminants.
The less severe your symptoms are, the more probable it is that you mildly irritated your piercing. The more severe your symptoms are, the more probable it is that your piercing is infected, or you’re experiencing an allergic reaction.
Consider applying a cold compress (consisting of cool water and a small cloth or towel) onto your piercing. This may help relieve some discomfort. Leave the jewelry in your piercing. Removing the jewelry may irritate your piercing site even more. If you have any questions, consult your piercer, or visit them in person so they can look at your piercing.
If you believe that your navel piercing has become infected, see a physician as soon as possible. If you are not sure if your piercing is infected, you can contact your piercer to evaluate if your symptoms are normal, or correlative with an infection. Do not remove your piercing jewelry if you believe your piercing is infected. Removing your jewelry could irritate the infection and cause your piercing hole to close, preventing your piercing from properly draining.
Rejection of the jewelry is a common characteristic with allergic reactions. The skin tries to decrease contact with the jewelry, causing the piercing holes to enlarge and widen. In this case, contact your piercer immediately so they can change out the jewelry and you can visit your primary doctor and start treating your piercing site. You may need a prescribed round of antibiotics.
Compresses. As mentioned earlier, both warm and cold compresses can relieve discomfort with irritated piercings. A warm compress dipped and wrung out with a saline solution can clean out the area while promoting blood flow (healing white blood cells) to the irritated area. [19] X Research source A cool compress can soothe the hot feeling radiating from the piercing site. Chamomile tea soaks. Steep a bag of chamomile tea in a cup of boiling water. Wait for the tea to cool (approximately 20 mins) and dip a cotton ball into the tea. Use the cotton ball to soak your irritated piercing for approximately 5 minutes. Repeat this if desired at least once a day. You could also freeze the tea into ice cubes, and use the tea ice cubes to relieve pain, irritation, and swelling. Pain relief medications. If your piercing site is achy and painful, consider taking over the counter pain medication to reduce the discomfort. Try to stick to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. [20] X Research source
You could also freeze the tea into ice cubes, and use the tea ice cubes to relieve pain, irritation, and swelling.
If you do have an infection or allergic reaction, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and speed up recovery.
