How to Care For A Belly Button Ring / Body Piercing

So, you got your belly button pierced and now you want to know the exact how-to's on how to care for your new piercing. You should take very good care of your new body piercing. You just have to do a few simple things. So, if you have already got your belly button ring or just thinking about getting one - here is what you need to know.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Keep it clean! You should clean it twice daily for a month after you've gotten it pierced. You should be using peroxide or an antibacterial soap. Use a cotton ball or q-tip. Never use rag or cloth to clean it.
   
   You should also make your that your body jewelry is in fact real, and nickel free. Most body jewelry that contains nickel will give you an infection because it irritates your skin.

2. Salt water helps it heal faster. Add a little bit of natural salt to your bath water while bathing. This will ultimately heal your belly button faster.

3. Do not pick, pull or scratch at it. While your piercing is healing, it's going to start itching. This is a good sign. This means it is trying to heal itself. Leave it alone. Don't turn or scratch at it. If you have crust forming on the ring, it's just a scab and it will come off when you clean it.

4. Don't sleep on your belly. I know it might be a hard habit to break, but trust me - it's for your own good. Sleeping on your stomach may pull or tug at your piercing. Sheets, clothing, and moving in your sleep will cause it to heal slower and it may become infected. So, learn to sleep on your side for awhile.

5. Other than that, make sure to wash your hands before you touch it, keep it clean, try to avoid belts and pants that will rub it and let it heal on it's own. It should take anywhere from 4 - 6 months before it completely heals. Make sure to keep the original belly ring in until it's completely healed. Enjoy your new belly piercing.

Tips & Warnings

• Bactine is a great cleaner and pain reliever.
• Don't over do it with peroxide.
• Don't buy cheap rings. Your navel is sensitive and cheaper rings will only lead to irritation and infection.b
• Don't ignore a problem. If your piercing becomes red, icky, and starting to develop puss - SEE A DOCTOR. This is a sign of infection and it could lead to deadly side effects.

[prettyevil]

on 8/22/2009 Peroxide and Bactine actually prolong the healing process. They are too harsh for puncture wounds and bactine's pacakging even says not to use it on punctures - which piercings are.

[cherry67]

on 4/10/2009 could never have the gutts to do this

[Gottaloveit]

on 4/10/2009 I can't even see my bellybutton but great tips for those who have a new piercing.