My navel piercing is infected - what can I do?

What is an inflamed navel piercing?

A piercing can look good and is done quickly. However, even with the greatest care, the risk of inflammation from a piercing cannot be completely ruled out: after all, the piercing process is an injury to the most potent protective layer of the body, namely the skin. This intentionally caused injury can cause pathogens such as bacteria to get into the wound. This can happen even with the best care and disinfection. An inflammation at the site of the stab wound can then become noticeable as a result.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the navel

These symptoms tell me that my navel piercing is infected

In medicine, inflammation can be recognized by five "signs of inflammation", regardless of where it is located.

• Redness
• overheat
• pain
• swelling
• disturbed function

If these signs also affect the piercing on the belly button, it can be assumed that it is inflamed. First of all, inflammation causes redness and overheating of the affected area. Through the increased blood flow, the body tries to bring more immune cells to the scene and thus to ensure a faster healing process. This increased blood flow is shown by reddened and warm skin. Another sign is pain: messenger substances make inflamed areas overly sensitive and painful so that they are protected from contact or stress. There is also inflammation due to swelling of the affected area. On the one hand this is a consequence of the increased blood flow, but on the other hand it is also a result of the increased permeability of the blood vessels. This should ensure that immune cells can enter the surrounding tissue faster and fight the pathogens there. However, it also ensures that fluid from the blood enters the tissue, causing the region to swell. The last of these signs of inflammation is the impaired function of the inflamed area. In the case of an inflamed navel piercing, this is usually the poor healing of the stabbed wound. In addition to these signs of inflammation, an inflamed piercing can also fester or take on an unpleasant odor - more on this below.

Read more on the topic: The inflammation

Purulent inflammation

From a medical point of view, pus is a submerged (ie “dead”) white blood cell called leukocyte. For this purpose, tissue mixes which has been dissolved at the inflamed area. So pus indicates an ongoing inflammatory reaction that was triggered by bacteria and that is already recognized and combated by the immune system. A purulent inflammation of the navel piercing is therefore not necessarily worse or more dangerous than a non-purulent inflammation.

Read more on the topic: Pus in / out of the navel

Inflammation with abscess formation

An abscess is a clearly defined collection of pus in the tissue. The pus accumulates and forms a cavity that would otherwise not naturally exist at this point. An abscess can also develop next to the navel piercing canal: this is usually the result of an inflammation in which the body's immune reaction causes pus to form. Even if you are tempted to prick or press open the abscess, you should refrain from such methods - this will only spread the pathogens more and delay the healing process considerably.

Read more on the topic: Abscess

Unpleasant smell on the navel piercing

An unpleasant smell emanating from the navel piercing can indicate an incipient inflammatory process. The signs of inflammation mentioned above do not necessarily have to be present. Rather, the foul odor is a “harbinger” of inflammation, as it indicates that bacteria have settled on or in the sting canal. This can happen quickly, especially at the navel, because it is a part of the body that is naturally difficult to clean and does not always come into contact with air. A bad smell on a piercing should therefore result in a change in the cleaning habits of the pierced area.

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therapy

If you notice that there is an inflammation or that it is looming, you should take very good hygienic care of the piercing as soon as possible. If inadequate care was the reason for the upcoming inflammation, a full inflammatory reaction can possibly still be averted. But even with an ongoing inflammatory reaction, sufficient cleaning of the pierced area is a must - however, the piercing also needs rest in order to heal. Touch irritates it even more in an inflamed state than in uncomplicated healing. So it is important here to find a good middle ground and not to touch the piercing except for maintenance. Since the navel tends to rub against clothing due to its location, it is advisable to cover the piercing with a cosmetic tissue, for example. This can be stuck to the skin with plaster strips at a sufficient distance from the piercing. Covering or masking with plasters should be avoided, as the adhesive points are then usually too close to the inflamed area and the piercing will be unnecessarily irritated. Loose clothing can also help not to irritate the piercing too much. Furthermore, an antibiotic-containing ointment of the cream can be applied as a medicinal measure, which supports the fight against the inflammatory pathogens.

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These ointments can help

Since an inflammation of the navel piercing is usually a bacterial infection, a topically applied antibiotic ointment can help the inflammation subside. Such ointments or creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription. It is usually applied several times a day and over several days - a longer application is therefore a prerequisite for successful treatment. Ointments containing cortisone should only be used after consulting a doctor. The effect of the cortisone suppresses the inflammation, but the immune reaction is prevented at this point and the pathogens can spread unhindered.

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When does the navel piercing have to be removed?

If the inflammation persists despite correct treatment, you should be prepared for the possibility of having to take out the piercing and, after a certain time of healing, to pierce it again. The same applies if the piercing threatens to grow out due to the inflammatory reaction. Whether taking out the jewelry is a sensible decision should be decided together with the piercer or the doctor depending on the individual situation.

What do I need to see a doctor?

An inflamed navel piercing can initially be treated independently, as described above, for example with consistent antiseptic cleaning and antibiotic cream. If the inflammation persists or if the symptoms get worse, either the family doctor or the piercer should be seen at the latest after five to seven days. The piercer certainly has more experience with inflamed piercings and can therefore often give advice on how to proceed. A doctor, on the other hand, is familiar with inflammation and can recommend or even prescribe appropriate medication. So whether you go to the doctor or piercer to have the inflamed piercing assessed, everyone has to decide for themselves. Above all, it is important that professional advice is obtained if the inflammation has persisted for several days.

How long does it take for the inflammation to subside?

It is difficult to predict when an inflammation on the navel piercing will subside. With effective treatment that includes hygienic and antibiotic measures, the inflammatory symptoms can subside after a few days to a week. However, an inflammatory reaction can persist for one or more weeks. In these cases - as already described above - advice should be obtained from a doctor or piercer.

causes

An inflammatory reaction in the body is a complex process of the immune system in which many different cell types are involved. Basically, inflammation should ensure that the cause is removed and a healing process initiated. The cause is usually bacteria that have entered an unhealed wound or body cavity. The inflammation is supposed to eliminate the pathogens that disrupt the natural body functions. Seen in this way, it is a natural protective function of the body, which, however, can even disrupt the natural processes of the body if it persists. Most of the time, inflammation is caused by bacteria entering the body. Such pathogens do not even have to come from outside - they are often bacteria that belong to the natural flora of the skin, but cause such reactions when they penetrate the wounds. A wound is now inflicted on the body by piercing, and by inserting the jewelry into the puncture channel it remains open for at least a while. Since the abdominal wall (in contrast to the ear cartilage) is often in motion, the healing process tends to take longer anyway. In addition, the shape of the navel is a part of the body where bacteria can collect particularly well. This results in a favorable situation for the bacteria to get into an open wound. An inflammation at this point can definitely occur. It is then important to recognize the signs early on and take appropriate action.

diagnosis

A diagnosis of inflammation on the navel piercing can already be made by looking and examining it externally. To this end, attention should be paid to the classic signs of inflammation. If it is a long-standing or more severe inflammation, the blood values ​​are often changed. Since an inflammation at the navel piercing can already be seen and examined well, a blood sample and examination for diagnostic purposes is usually not necessary.

Inflamed piercing during pregnancy

Special care should be taken with all types of inflammation during pregnancy. The latest findings have shown or confirmed that increased inflammation levels in the maternal blood have negative effects on the development of the unborn child. Responsible piercing studios will never pierce pregnant women because of the increased risk of infection and inflammation of piercings in the initial healing phase! If a navel piercing should become infected for any reason during pregnancy, removing the piercing jewelry is usually the safest way to let the inflammation subside quickly - even if that means that the piercing will have to be stung again later.