Im 16 I got my belly button pierced without my parents knowing about three weeks ago by a profession with two of my friends that happen to be twins. We had to buy our own barbells before we got them pierced and we all got the same except mine is a golden color. Because of the type of barbells we bought the bigger ball doesn’t unscrew on any of ours so we had to get them pierced with the barbell upside down leaving the bigger ball on top. Around three days after I got it done it started to become red around both ends. I had been cleaning it with dove soap witch I later found out was wrong for the piercing. The twins piercings were fine and still look normal. They have been using Ivory soap. I had used the dove soap for about two weeks cleaning it every day at least twice a day. The twins gave me the Ivory soap to use and I saw improvements right away, most of the red had gone. But Im still worried about it. It is itchy some times but that’s a sign of heeling and the puss that comes out is the correct color. But it is still red all around it and it is becoming crusty and my skin is starting to stick to the barbell. When I ice the area it helps unstick and get rid of the crusting the piercing has its ups and downs. Some times it bleeds while I clean it. Also I have red bumps under the barbell. All of these have been going on for a the last two weeks. I have the Ivory Soap still, and I have Claire’s Cleaning Solution, And Hydrogen Peroxide. Let me know If you have any suggestions. Or know what is going on. I have done a lot of research on this but I still don’t know what would be best.

First, you did not go to a very good "professional" because if they were responsible they would not pierce a minor without parental consent, which is required by law. When you find someone who's willing to do the wrong thing for you, they are probably not someone you should associate with.

Second, I wonder what other laws they broke - like sanitation standards, for example. They should have given you very clear, written instructions on caring for the piercing site, so that's a second strike against this "professional" in my view. An infection is the least of my concerns about this though - I'd also be concerned about potential transmission of HIV or hepatitis and if I were your parents you'd be getting tested for both for the next year.

There is no "right color" to puss. Puss is an accumulation of white blood cells. White blood cells' job is to fight infection. They collect and congeal into puss only when infection is present. Same with the redness and inflammation - infection. So, you clearly have an infection. This can potentially become very serious and you need antibiotics. It's not likely to become life threatening, but it could heal badly and look terrible and potentially COULD become more serious depending on the type of infection you have. So, the gig is up - you need to tell your parents so they can take you to the doctor and get you some antibiotics.

Third, I've never heard of using bar soap to clean a piercing wound. I've heard of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide but never soap and water. Usually keeping the site dry is recommended. So, you better get some professional advice on this. My knowledge is a few years old so don't rely on it - ask a doctor.

Your disrespect of your parents in not telling them about this, and getting it done illegally without their consent is a huge violation of their trust and a slap in the face as regards their feelings. I hope you come clean and make it right, and act more mature than you have so far in this situation.