This is the same kind of infection you are likely to get if you accidentally scratch the area. When it comes to new piercings and working out, the location of said piercing is the main issue to contend with. An infection can be painful, cause scarring, and increase healing times. Piercing is one of the oldest and most practiced forms of body modification. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. A belly button piercing is ideal for bikini season and a great way to show off at the beach. What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? You can do this yourself with clean hands, or have it done at the shop where you got pierced. Taking out the ring may cause the hole to close. If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But it turns out, piercing aftercare is a lot more in-depth than that. Also ensure that the piercing is done by a professional. After the piercing channel has been sealed, it matures. Most people know that they should avoid swimming after getting a tattoo, but it's the same for a piercing. The right initial jewelry also has to be used. If the concern with swimming around lakes and rivers is developing an infection, is it okay to swim in a pool? Brooklyn tattoo artist Carmen Figueroa breaks it down for us, including why its important to follow the artists aftercare instructions to the best of your ability. Wait and be wise. Other placements of belly button piercings include the lower rim, upper rim, and sides of the navel. Answer #1 Hi boredom410, Piercers recommend you wait a month after your piercing to go swimming in chlorinated pools. 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. (2012). If your dip into the water is a bit more premeditated, you'll want to wear"a wound sealing waterproof bandage over the piercing" (via Koox Diving). It is also used as retainer jewelry for belly button piercings in pregnancy. 3. This mainly includes application of ointments that will help speed up the healing process. Belly button piercing infections are as a result of bacteria. The later cannot be used for initial piercings. It can be done safely as long as you make sure to keep the area clean and free of bacteria. Your piercer should also wear disposable gloves at all times. During the healing period, there may be bleeding or secretion of other fluids, and that can be an entry point for bacteria. 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. However, this is not always the case. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. For some, this may be as long as 12 months. But you might want to slow down and plan your piercings out more strategically. They can increase your risk for an allergic reaction. "Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside," Koox Diving states. This fluid may form a crusty material. Generally, persons with deep belly buttons are at a higher risk of getting infections. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',672,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); There may be some times when its necessary to expose your piercing to water, like taking a shower. That means spending some extra time in the shower letting the water run on the piercing or sticking it under the faucet. Follow as clean a routine as possible like: Cleaning the hands with hot water before touching your belly button piercing. (Fun To Read!). You could get an infection even when the piercing has healed. Though sweat doesnt irritate a new piercing, it can still introduce germs and bacteria. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. (n.d.). Hi! Avoid handling the area unless you are cleaning it. Nipple and navel piercings often require extra care, as even gentle workouts like pilates, yoga, and rock climbing can irritate the new piercings. Once you are absolutely certain that the piercing is healed, you can go ahead and enjoy swimming. Those dos and don'ts will change depending on where you've been pierced, too. The typical and most popular jewelry choice for belly button piercings is a curved barbell, which slightly curves outward to pop against your belly button and generally fits better with the natural shape of your body. {"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":"