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i've had my belly pierced for 6 weeks and i think i have an infection becuase green stuff is coming from it. i've been cleaning it everyday since the first day i got it and i dont kno why it got infected bcuz i've been really taking care of it. i really dont want to take it out and im still cleaning it hoping the infection will go away but does any1 know anything else i can do. i cant go to a doctor to get anti-biotics because i dont have health insurance to pay for it and im starting to get really scared bcuz i dont know what will happen if i dont get medicine for it. can anyone please help me?!!!!
If you dont get medicine for it, the infection will spread and get worse. You need to go to the doctor and get some antibiotics in any way possible that you can. The earlier you catch it, the more likely it is that you can save the piercing (you asked about taking it out, but that is not really a concern, the infection is).
If you cant make it to the doctor soon, take the piercing out. The barbell/hoop will just continue to irritate it.
One of the antibiotics that is usually given for an infected piercing is caled Keflex (Cephalexin), and the price varies depending on where you go, but for example at Walgreens Pharmacy I see that it costs $82.99 for 40 250 MG capsules. (Walgreens | Pharmacy | Drug Information & Prices | Keflex)
You still need to see a doctor to determine the severity of the infection, and what antibiotic you need. Keflex is only an example of what they may give you.
Belly button piercings rarely DON'T get infected. Currently I only have one, however I use to have three belly button rings. (one in the centre and two diagonally)
There is a product you can get called H2Ocean. They make a piercing spray, which is simply purrified sea water. But it comes in a can, with an inner liner, so it's sterile.
I would recommend this to anyone!
One of the biggest mistakes people make I find, is taking care of their new piercing TOO much. You should not use the standard ear lobe piercing aftercare stuff for other piercings. It, along with other common cleaners such as clear soap and water, will dry your piercing out very quickly. (You don't want this.)
If you cannot buy the H2ocean, buy some sea salt. Then mix some with warm water, so it disolves, and use a Q-tip to clean the piercing. every morning and every night.
Belly button piercings take the longest time to heal out of all the 'standard' piercings, so be patient, and good luck!!
I always try and steer people clear from using H2Ocean, because it will severely dry out your piercing, just like a saline/salt solution would anything else. For example, if you have ever been to the beach, have you ever noticed how dry and chapped your skin is when you get out of the ocean water? Well it is 10 times worse on a piercing, because a piercing is actually an open wound. Also, it will not cure an infection. If you do use it, try and use it as little as possible.
I agree about the fact that belly piercings rarely dont get infected. They are in such a awkward place, and can catch on anything. And you are absolutely correct about taking care of a piercing too much. That is one of the biggest causes of irritation.
I always try and steer people clear from using H2Ocean, because it will severely dry out your piercing, just like a saline/salt solution would anything else. For example, if you have ever been to the beach, have you ever noticed how dry and chapped your skin is when you get out of the ocean water? Well it is 10 times worse on a piercing, because a piercing is actually an open wound. Also, it will not cure an infection. If you do use it, try and use it as little as possible.
Perhaps it's something that can be different with every body type then. However I never had H2ocean when I had my belly button done, so it can be different in the spot also. I have used it for cartilidge, eyebrow, nipple, and side facial surface piercings, all with h20cean being my primary mode of healing, and they have all healed up perfectly! I really mean perfect, I was surprised!
Perhaps it's something that can be different with every body type then. However I never had H2ocean when I had my belly button done, so it can be different in the spot also. I have used it for cartilidge, eyebrow, nipple, and side facial surface piercings, all with h20cean being my primary mode of healing, and they have all healed up perfectly! I really mean perfect, I was surprised!
Wow good job! All of my piercings have healed perfect too (thank God..lol) but I never used H2Ocean. A lot of the problem is how much people use it. Sometimes people think if they use it every 5 minutes they are doing so much good to the piercing, and they are definitely not.
Honestly when you get a piercing the best thing you can do is leave it alone. The more you clean it, play with it or put something on it, the longer it is going to take to heal, and the more prone it is to irritation and infection. I usually recommend cleaning and twisting the barbell twice a day, using antibacterial soap (making sure you wash your hands first of course), and other than that leave it alone. After having it about 4-6 weeks, I reduce cleaning to once a day to give the piercing time to heal.
I'm glad you have had good experiences with H2Ocean though. I have seen that stuff cause some nasty things, like dried out and crusty piercings with big red irritation bumps..yucky! But like I said, it depends on how much of it you use.
Try some triple antibotic sauve on it ,if problem keep up take it out, let it heal , And do it again. You might be allergic to the metal try something real (like gold or silver)
Try some triple antibotic sauve on it ,if problem keep up take it out, let it heal , And do it again. You might be allergic to the metal try something real (like gold or silver)
Triple antibiotic is a big no no on piercings, but I do agree that she may want to check into being allergic to the metal. Green discharge is usually infection though.
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