Hi,

I had my navel pierced about 4/5 months ago and at the time it seemed fine. I wear a surgical steel bar in it and clean it every other day with anti-bacterial wipes and germoline. Whenever a scab forms on one or other of the holes I pick it away and I don't let discharge build up on the jewellery. The problem is it won't heal. Both the holes are red, swollen and sore to touch. Sometimes they bleed and as I have mentioned before they leak a white-ish discharge. It also itches badly sometimes. Is it infected? Or is it just being stubborn about healing?

Any help appriciated.

P.S. I have never had healing problems with previous piercings (I have my eyebrow, ears and both my nipples done).

Well, it is not actually being stubborn about healing, rather you are being stubborn about letting it heal. LOL.

The scab that builds up is necessary for the healing process, so don't pick it off. This is why it is not healing.

Itching is a sign of healing.

If both of the holes are red, swollen and sore, this is now a sign of infection. You say whitish discharge, is it just white, or yellowish or greenish at all?

Don't pick the scab off, it is there for a purpose. I wouldn't worry unless the discharge is yellow and . Just clean it, and keep your hands off it otherwise.

The discharge is white and the piercer said it is "sluff" and is meant to be there.

He also said picking the scab was OK as it should not be allowed to stick to the jewellery but if its needed for the healing process then I shall leave it alone.

Thanks.

Yes, scabs are absolutely necessary for healing. See, your skin is your first line of defense regarding infections. If there is a break in the skin such as a cut or piercing in this case, the skin is open for infection. The body creates a scab to close off the opening while the skin repairs itself.

If you pick the scab, you are not allowing the healing process to go forward. You are keeping the underlying tissue open and exposed to bacteria. Scabs are necessary to keep bacteria out once an opening in the skin has occurred.

I am wondering if you went to a reputable piercer. They should never give this kind of advice, it is potentially dangerous.

I will certainly not be going back to that piercer again.

Thanks for all the advice.