What does an infected belly ring look like

Belly button piercings are a popular way to modify your body and show off your personal style, but they come with the risk of infection. Infected belly button piercings can be painful, unsightly, and dangerous if left untreated. That's why it's best to take good care of your piercing to prevent infection in the first place.

Your belly button doesn't serve much purpose after birth, but it's a popular place to accessorize with body jewelry. There are risks to this popular piercing site, though. The belly button is usually turned inward, so cleaning it can be challenging, which puts this piercing at risk for infection. This article will tell you how to spot an infected belly button piercing and what to do if it happens to you. An infected belly button piercing will look much like any other skin or soft tissue infection, with symptoms like:. More severe infections could enter the bloodstream from the piercing site and produce a widespread infection. If this happens, additional symptoms can include:.

What does an infected belly ring look like

Bacteria can infect a belly button piercing before healing is complete. Symptoms can include pain, discoloration, and swelling. Improving hygiene and using antibiotic ointment can help. Complete healing can take 9—12 months. In the meantime, a piercing is technically a healing wound, and it may be sore, red, or irritated. Intense pain, swelling, or a fever , however, can indicate a severe infection. It can be challenging to keep a belly button piercing clean and irritation-free, especially when there tends to be friction from clothing. This makes belly button piercings more prone to infection than piercings in other areas. Distinguishing between signs of infection and regular healing can be difficult. Pain and swelling right after a piercing are common. It is important to monitor how symptoms change. If symptoms, such as pain, steadily improve, the piercing is probably healing normally. If a person suddenly experiences new symptoms, especially after a period of few or no symptoms, this can signal an infection. The risk is greater when piercing equipment and jewelry are not sterile, especially when the piercing needles have been shared.

Aside from formal allergy testing, you may be able to guess that you have a metal allergy if you develop irritation at your piercing sites.

A healing belly button piercing is when the normal process of repair of tissue occurs, while an infected piercing is one where bacteria have invaded the pierced area, causing infection. A normal healing process is important after you have had a piercing. The process involves a number of steps. The first stage of healing is inflammation, which is normal after the skin has been injured. The inflammatory response includes immune system cells arriving at the site and working with growth factors to help in healing. The proliferation stage occurs next and is when new connective tissue and blood vessels are laid down, and the wound contracts.

While most belly piercings heal without any issues, some individuals may experience an infection. Understanding the symptoms, treatment options, and healing process for an infected belly piercing is crucial to ensure a safe and quick recovery. One of the most common signs of an infected belly piercing is pain and tenderness around the piercing site. The area may also become swollen and red, indicating inflammation. Additionally, an infected piercing may produce discharge that is yellow or greenish in color and has a foul odor. Cleaning the piercing with a saline solution or an antimicrobial solution can help reduce the risk of further infection. In severe cases of infection, oral antibiotics may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to fight the bacterial or fungal infection. Removing the jewelry prematurely may trap the infection inside, prolonging the healing process. Avoid swimming in bodies of water, such as pools or hot tubs, as they may harbor bacteria that can further irritate the piercing. They can assess the severity of the infection and provide appropriate treatment, ensuring a safe and successful healing process for your belly piercing.

What does an infected belly ring look like

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Belly button piercings are popular and generally safe with proper precautions. However, incorrect aftercare or unsanitary conditions can lead to bacterial infections. It can take from 9 months to 1 year for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Even an injury to an old piercing may lead to infection. For example, if the piercing gets caught on pants or belt buckles. You may also have some clear discharge that dries and forms a crystal-like crust around the piercing. These symptoms should get better over time.

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A healing belly button piercing is when the normal process of repair of tissue occurs, while an infected piercing is one where bacteria have invaded the pierced area, causing infection. Your bellybutton may bleed because of infection or other conditions. See a healthcare provider if you have signs of a severe infection, such as a fever. The belly button is usually turned inward, so cleaning it can be challenging, which puts this piercing at risk for infection. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. In the case of an infected pierced belly button, the discharge will be green, yellow or brown, and it will smell foul. Use a warm compress. What is the risk of infection with a nipple piercing? To maintain the health of your piercing, Sobel says you should:. Written by : Dr. Learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and outlook. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Allowing the hole to close may trap the infection inside of your body, causing an abscess to form.

In the cool and stylish world of body art, an infected belly button piercing can stand out for all the wrong reasons. Not everyone gets to enjoy a smooth and uneventful piercing journey. Sometimes, things can go south and the piercing can get infected, leading to redness, swelling, pus, and other complications.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. She has been trained as a lecturer, researcher and computer scientist. This makes belly button piercings more prone to infection than piercings in other areas. The first stage of healing is inflammation, which is normal after the skin has been injured. Regular cleaning is important for maintaining a healthy body piercing, but you will want to avoid harsh cleasners. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. They may also prescribe an oral antibiotic. Chocolate Facial. If this happens, additional symptoms can include:. There are steps you can take to care for your belly button piercing, especially when it's first healing. Written by Ashley Laderer ; edited by Samantha Crozier.