How to Clean Belly Rings

This little piece of metal needs proper attention.

Belly rings can be a great tool for self-expression, not to mention a fashion statement. However, they do require more care than, say, an ear piercing. So read on to discover some of the sensible ways that you can keep your belly ring sanitary and infection-free.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swabs
• Antibacterial soap
• Saline solution
• Lavender oil

Instructions

1. Clean around the area of your belly ring every day when you shower.

2. Fill your hand with water and a bit of mild antibacterial soap. Bring your hand up to your navel and soak the area and the ring in the solution for a minute or so. Rinse thoroughly.

3. Apply lavender oil (which can be found at most supermarkets and drugstores) to the belly ring with a cotton swab every few days or once a week. Gently move the ring up and down, which will allow the oil to spread and will prevent the ring from becoming immobile.

4. Apply saline solution to your belly ring after coming into contact with liquids such as pool water, sweat or any accidental spills. Make this a common practice when your belly ring comes into contact with anything other than clean water.

5. Wear your belly ring out to get some sunshine from time to time. The sun produces Vitamin D, which promotes healing and can cut down on infections.

6. Gauge how well your navel area does when it comes into close contact with other objects, such as tight jeans, buttons, zippers, underwear and waistbands. Also evaluate how your ring does with chains, charms or other accessories. Use your discretion as to what your ring can and cannot come into close contact with.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have sensitive skin or experience extra sensitivity around the area, use a hypoallergenic laundry detergent on clothing that your piercing may come into contact with.

• Although there is no hard and fast data on how many times a day you should clean your ring and the surrounding area, most experts say at least once a day but no more than four times a day. When you clean your ring, remove any crust around the area by gently rubbing it with water and saline solution.

• If the surrounding area starts to produce pus or becomes extremely tender, seek medical advice immediately.

• Don't touch your ring (or let anyone else touch it) with dirty hands. Even with clean hands, limit the amount of hand-belly ring contact that occurs.

• Don't touch, replace or frequently move your belly ring—or engage in activities such as swimming—before the piercing has completely healed. It can take up to a year for a belly piercing to heal.

• Never use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your belly ring. These solutions can dry out your skin and cause scarring.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Care after navel piercing
• Body-piercing care