We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. With this jewelry, size is everything. [3] Disinfectant and a very good rinse. However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. 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. 1. It's normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. When I bend over or lean downward it start to hurt bad. References The symptoms of an infection can include: If you develop an infection or other irritation, be sure to speak with your piercer or doctor before applying any ointment or other topical treatment to the area. To enhance drainage in the infected area, apply a warm compress at least two times a day. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Opt for a belly button ring made of 14- or 18-karat gold, titanium, surgical steel, or niobium. So, you can swim after getting a belly button piercing if you take all the measures mentioned in this post however for the best of your well being, I truly recommend that you should not swim at least for a few weeks after the navel piercing but it would be much better that you wait till the complete healing before jumping into a pool, river, or lake.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-2','ezslot_6',673,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-2','ezslot_7',673,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-673{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. A belly button piercing will most likely take anywhere from six months to a year to fully heal depending on how you care for it and your day-to-day lifestyle; however, the most common time frame is between six and eight months Regardless, its important to check with your piercer when you believe its healed before stopping aftercareif it's still healing, the site could become infected. https://ironbrush.com/about/piercing-aftercare/, https://almostfamouspiercing.com/tea-tree-oil/, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a657043/bathroom-cleaning-tips-sparkling-bathroom/, https://www.byrdie.com/body-piercing-aftercare-new-piercing-care-to-common-piercing-problems-4077438, https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/can-i-go-swimming-after-a-piercing/, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/, . "This was super helpful as I recently got a piercing and I am so lucky I stumbled upon this website! However, this is not always the case. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year for a belly button piercing to fully heal. Dr. Susana Sixto-rodriguez answered Family Medicine 27 years experience Piercing: In three months you should be OK to go in the ocean. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. That means that summertime and vacation might not be the best time to add another hole to your body. You may also want to choose exercises that won't result in a repetitive motion, as rubbing the area of the piercing isnt advised. Belly button piercing is one of the most popular types of body piercings. However, if your only option is to take a bath, some precautions can help you avoid infections. Get enough rest to avoid straining the area. This jewelry has a small bead on each end, with one of them being adjustable/removable to allow you to change out the jewelry if you want. These are: This is the first stage of the healing process. Also, I learned this was key: Make sure you get the belly ring with a post instead of an actual ring. Well, were sure you are loving the hot piercing, but are you curious to know whether or when would you be able to step into the pool for a swim? You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hoursafter havinga piercing, and ideally until it hashealed properly. When getting instructions from your piercer, one of the things they should tell you is that you should not go swimming with your piercing. Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing site. To avoid this, take good care of the piercing. Let's be honest:A year is a long time to not be in the 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. During the healing process, you should do the following: Its normal to see an off-white fluid coming out of the area in the first few days after your piercing. Once any discharge has softened, you can clean it with a cotton bud or piece of gauze. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. These cookies do not store any personal information. These normally form around the jewelry. Some studios may even have you pay a separate fee entirely for both the piercing itself and the jewelry. Clients dont need to completely avoid exercise after a new piercing, they just need to exercise with care. Brooks says. Remember, a new piercing is a deep, open wound, and should be treated with all of the care of a normal deep wound. I would say around a 4 or 5 with my clients based on their feedback; I would rate my own at a 4 or so, says Kristina Outland, a body piercer at Deep Roots Tattoo & Piercing. 2. These are yeast and bacterial infections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We may earn a commission when you purchase via links on this page. So it's best to wait until the piercing has . Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. Many medical professionals recommend not swimming for a minimum of three weeks after getting a belly piercing. If you experience any discomfort or tightness, its recommended that you remove the jewelry thats currently in place. Have a good day! While youre at the shop, ask the piercer about their process and the sterilization methods they use. The piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. He also has the vision to travel the whole world and share it with all readers of Outdoor Favor. This ThoughtfulTattoos article tells you how to swim with a belly button ring. A belly button piercing looks wonderful, and is one most common piercings in the world. It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. After waiting for a month, or at least for three weeks, you can get ready to step into the pool. Well Help. Aftercare: Wash the piercing two times a day with a sterile saline solution and pat dry with a paper towel. 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. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Unlike pierced ears, which take 4-6 weeks to heal, your belly button may not fully heal for up to 1 year. We look at various ways on how to take care of abelly button piercingproperly. Better to wait until fall or miss a dip in the ocean rather than suffering with an infection. There however are varying sentiments on whether Neosporin on belly button piercing is appropriate or not. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Transmission of hepatitis C virus infection through tattooing and piercing: A critical review. All piercing needles should come in sealed, sterile packages. 3. Tips To Heal Belly Button Piercing Faster? Generally, piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the equipment. But this time the pain is worse. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you have to, try to avoid getting soap in the piercing. Most hot tubbers have a hard time waiting this long to re-enter a hot tub. Can you use it on infected piercings? You shouldn't need anything else to clean your piercing. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. 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. Cycling might be a better choice than running, because there's no jiggling in the chest area. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning, and dont rotate the piercing! Be sure to dry the area with a paper towel after, as a typical hand or bath towel could harbor bacteria. Pus is not to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion. I always recommend seeing a physician, such as a dermatologist, for evaluation and treatment right away if you develop any of these symptoms, says Dozier. Don't fiddle with your piercings. Use H2ocean healing ocean to expidite healing, and a little sea salt (natu. See our, Belly Button Piercing Aftercare Rules, Swimming and Infections, Avoid using products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bactine and rubbing alcohol to clean the piercing, Belly Button Piercing While Pregnant, after Pregnancy Pictures and Risks, Labret Lip Piercing Pictures, Side, Horizontal, Cost, Healing and Aftercare, Applying and Best Gel or Creamy Eyeliners Like elf, Best Felt Tip Eyeliners Pen Use Tip and Review, Wearing Best White Eyeliner: Liquid, Gel or Pencil, Best Dark, Light, Electric and Navy Blue Eyeliners, Best Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil, Liquid, and Gel. By using our site, you agree to our. For more advice, like how to shower with a new piercing, read on. Keep scrolling to find out more, and remember, its your choice whether you hit the gym, but the facts dont lie. To clean the piercing, rinse the area with saline solution. To emphasize, it's important that you shower and clean the piercing well after your workout is complete. (2012). For first time piercings, choose rings made of gold, stainless steel or titanium. Wash your hands before handling the piercing, Using disposable products to clean the area. 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. Make sure you keep the area clean and dry now until it is fully healed. To keep your new piercing clean, try taking showers instead of baths while the piercing heals. If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. There are some dos and donts when it comes to this. Although you may think a belly button piercing wouldnt hurt that much due to being on your stomach, it will hurt slightlyjust like any other piercing. If you must swim, we recommend covering your piercing with a waterproof Band-Aid. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It's not normally necessary to rotate or remove a piece of jewellery. Continue with Recommended Cookies. While it's not doctor-approved, there are precautions and aftercare tips that you can take if you can't avoid submerging your piercing in water. While sweat is naturally produced by the body, and is just a sign of your body taking care of itself, make sure to take a shower after exercising as a clean body tends to be a healthier body. Brooks says. You could soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it over the area for about five minutes two times each day. Taking care of your general health can help you heal faster and reduce your risk for developing complications. Family Medicine 32 years experience. This smaller jewelry style is perfect for those who lead a very active lifestyle or don't feel the need to show off their navel piercing all the time. Each day, clean the piercing with a mild soap and warm water daily. You wouldnt go rubbing your fresh scrape up against someone else, because thats just asking for an infection. To ensure that the area heals properly avoid things that may pull or push the piercing and the jewelry. Although many pools today are foregoing chlorine because of the toxins and are using sea salt instead, salt can still sting and burn a wound. 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. Belly button piercing infections are as a result of bacteria. Soaking the area with saline solution should go on even when the area seems healed. Not necessarily. Its common practice to ask around for recommendations when looking for a piercer. Have you recently got a belly button piercing? This means they havent been used on anyone else. However, a piercing is created by pulling a needle through the skin, so there is, of course, some pain involved. The important thing to keep in mind is that a fresh tattoo is an open wound, therefore it should be treated as such to ensure a good healing, she says. Anything that is in the water is getting into your piercings, and even in the cleanest of pools chlorine is going to hurt your piercing as well, Brooks says. When an infection occurs, do not be tempted to remove the jewelry. Some of these include: There are a lot of ways through which a navel piercing can get infected. You can go swimming now as long as the piercing doesnt get wet. If the concern with swimming around lakes and rivers is developing an infection, is it okay to swim in a pool? You can also leave the piercing empty. 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. "Thanks for the info. It is important to note that during pregnancy, belly button piercing infections are common. Answer #1. 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. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Because the skin on your stomach is fleshy, its true that you can probably expect it to be less painful than some sort of cartilage piercing. I have had my belly piercing for about 4-5 months now. In that case, pat your piercing dry to avoid retaining moisture (bacteria love moisture and need it to grow!) Basically theres no winning here. How Can I Clean My Belly Button Piercing After A Shower? But now its back and i seriously dont know what to do. Only go back to swimming after the piercing has healed to avoid infections. During the healing period, there may be bleeding or secretion of other fluids, and that can be an entry point for bacteria. Consider the kind of clothing you wearif you normally wear yoga pants, it might be time for sweats.. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. What do I do? (n.d.). Following the correct aftercare during the healing process is super important, both because it will help the piercing heal properly and because not doing so could slow down the process. A belly button piercing, also known as a navel piercing, is a piece of jewelry thats typically inserted through the skin, directly above the belly button. We avoid using tertiary references. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. You should try to avoid swimming too often during this timeframe, as it really just increases your chance of bacteria exposure that might lead to an infection. The chlorine in a pool reduces the number of bacteria. If you're looking for a quick answer, then no, you should not swim after getting a piercing. Why do nose piercings leave scars in some people, and not in others? Thoroughly rinse afterward. Piercing is one of the oldest and most practiced forms of body modification. These will go a long way in preventing infections. Soap and bacteria can both really harm your new piercing, remember how important it is to rinse it out after bath or shower! If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. Dont worry if you experience slight bleeding, swelling, or redness immediately after the piercingthats completely normal and should subside quickly. Saltwater and chlorine may be okay for your piercing, however, other bacteria in the water may be problematic. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. For some, this may be as long as 12 months. But you need to essentially wait for the piercing to heal off completely before you start swimming with it. about Want to Know How to Hide Ear Piercings? It's easy for bacteria to hole up inside it. If you're wondering what effects exercise could have on a new tattoo or piercing, you're not alone. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Wear loose clothes to reduce friction around the area. The belly button piercing gives you a chance to don magnificent jewelry. Avoid straining the area and get enough rest. Then, its recommended to clean your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution. But what odds of harm are you prepared to accept? As a general guide, healing times for the most common body piercings can be: It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in: If you have any signs of infection, see a GP. You can afford to skip one bath or swimming session to protect that. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. 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. Do not make a decision you will regret just because you want one bath or swim. Then, if your piercer is using tools, the area is held taut with a clamp. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. Of course, the best way to avoid these is to not go swimming at all! Clean the bath thoroughly first. Everyone heals differently, so they may provide you a range. Ask your doctor if ther. Infections in the belly button are common. Well walk you, Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Page last reviewed: 8 October 2021 In this article, we are going to be answering all of your belly button piercing related questions and queries once and for all. Even in case of redness or pus, you must completely avoid swimming. If you must hit the gym, keep your tattoo covered with a gauze bandage and try to choose exercises that won't result in working the muscles close to the tattoo, or flexing a joint that has a new tattoo. It may have a lot to [Read More] about Do Nose Piercings Leave Scars? After the piercing channel has been sealed, it matures. If swimming is inevitable, I warn clients that chlorine will hurt their piercings and they will need to shower immediately after to rinse the chemical off the recently pierced area, Brooks says. Proper after care though can enhance quick healing. Be clean. We recommend to avoid swimming for the first two weeks after a piercing. My belly bottom stays with a infection, like it will come and go come and go. And, as mentioned, while six to eight months is the typical healing period, it could take up to a full year. The fact that the area is warm and dark ad can easily retain moisture makes it vulnerable to infections as these conditions are favorable for the growth of micro-organisms. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. For more info, read on for everything you need to know about the popular piercing. While many simple piercings, like the ears, take only around 6-8 weeks to heal, the healing period for a navel piercing is much longer a belly button piercing takes 6 months to 1 year to heal completely[ source]. (Everything You Need To Know), Can You Swim After Getting Ears Pierced? This includes avoiding swimming before you are completely healed. The design of this piercing is said to put less stress on the navel area. If you have body hair around your navel, they may remove this with a new disposable razor. How much a piercing costs is entirely dependent on the studio you go to, your geographic location, your piercers experience, and how complicated your piercing is. Halloran L. Body Piercing: Avoiding Complications. That way, its healed and ready to be shown off at the beach, the lake, or by the pool! During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. Want to Know How to Hide Ear Piercings? Last Updated: January 29, 2023 These are as listed. Choosing to get a new tattoo or body piercing is an exciting endeavor, and something to celebrate. Every body is different, but you need to give yourself at least two to three months to let your previous belly ring heal completely. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/aid7373968-v4-728px-Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"