Wearing a beautiful earring in the belly button area as a fashion trend, that is, getting a belly button piercing, has become very popular among young people. You may have seen your friend wearing one and you have wanted to do the same. It is beautiful, but it is very important to be fully aware of this before doing this. Because although it takes a few minutes to get this piercing, it can take up to a year for the wound to heal completely.
Safety comes first! How to choose a good place?
If you decide to get a belly button piercing, the most important thing is to think about your safety. If you go for this procedure because you think you have a little money and don't care about cleanliness, you could end up with serious health problems. So, be especially careful about these things.
- Choose an experienced person: Just because a piercing artist has a license doesn't mean they are experienced. Ask them how long they have been doing this and how they were trained. Because if this is not done properly, there is a chance that blood-borne diseases can spread. A good, experienced person will not hesitate to answer your questions clearly.
- Go to a trusted, clean place: Make sure the place you go to (studio) is clean and tidy. It should be well-lit so that the piercer can see what he or she is doing clearly. Make sure the equipment is in sealed pouches ( HES ) that have been sterilized before use. This will ensure that it is clean.
- Take care of the needle: Make sure you use a brand new, disposable, one-use needle. It's best if you open a new package first. Never use a piercing gun to pierce your belly button. This can damage the skin tissue and cause infection.
- Be very careful when choosing earrings: The first earring you wear should be made of a metal that is less likely to cause allergies. The most suitable metals for this are:
- Medical-grade stainless steel
- Titanium
- Niobium
- 14-karat gold (14-ka RA t gold)
The first earring you put in shouldn't be too thin. It should be a bit thicker (about 14G gauge). Otherwise, our body will treat it like a thorn and try to push it out of the skin (reject it).
How do you do this? Does it hurt a lot?
When you go somewhere, these are the steps that usually happen:
1. First, the piercer will thoroughly clean the area around your piercing and mark the spot where you want to pierce it.
2. Then, a sterile, hollow needle is used to pierce the skin around the hole.
3. At this time, you will feel a slight pain, like a needle prick . You may bleed a little. This is normal.
4. Then, insert the earring of your choice through the drilled hole.
5. Finally, the area is cleaned again.
Many people say that getting your ear pierced is the most painful. However, the pain experienced varies from person to person. If you are someone who is very sensitive to pain, ask if you can apply a topical analgesic before the piercing . It is normal for the area to be sore and achy for a few days after the piercing.
How to properly care for your child after school? (Aftercare)
This is the most important part. While an earlobe piercing heals in 4-6 weeks, a belly button piercing can take 9 months to a year to fully heal. This is because the belly button area is constantly moving as we bend and twist throughout the day. This is why it takes longer to heal.
| Things to do (Do's) | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Clean: Gently apply a clean piece of gauze or paper towel soaked in sterile saline solution around the wound at least once a day. | Don't touch it often: Avoid touching or twisting your earring frequently until the wound has healed. If you must touch it, wash your hands thoroughly with soap before doing so. |
| Wear loose clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothing made of soft fabrics like cotton. Wearing tight clothing can rub against the earring and delay healing. | Be careful with water: Avoid swimming in ponds, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the wound has healed. Contaminated water in these places can cause infections. |
| Dry thoroughly: After cleaning, gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not use regular towels, as they may contain germs. | Don't change earrings: Don't change earrings until the wound is completely healed (at least 6-12 months). Also, don't wear dangle earrings, as they can get caught in clothing and tear the skin. |
| Let the wound scab over: It is normal for a white/yellow fluid (not pus) to ooze from the wound and form a scab. Do not try to break it. It will fall off on its own as the wound heals. | Don't apply anything else: Unless advised by a doctor, don't apply any lotions, oils, perfumes, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial creams. They can delay healing. |
What are the risks?
Although most people can do this without any problems, sometimes complications can occur.
| Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Infection | The shape of the needle makes it easy for bacteria to collect. Using a dirty needle can lead to serious diseases like hepatitis or tetanus. |
| Skin tearing (Tearing) | If the earring gets caught in clothing or something else, it can tear the skin, and you may even need stitches. |
| Allergic Reaction | Earrings made from inferior metals, especially those containing nickel, can cause skin allergies (rashes, itching). |
| Scarring | Some people may develop thick, lumpy scars (keloids) around the wound. |
| Rejection/Migration | Sometimes the body treats the earring as a foreign object and pushes it out of the skin. This is called migration hay rejection. |
When do you need to see a doctor?
If you have any of these symptoms, it could be an infection. See your doctor immediately without removing the earring.
- If you feel warmth when you touch the puncture site
- If the area is very red and swollen
- If the wound is oozing yellow or green, foul-smelling pus
- If you have a fever .
Special occasions and things to know
During Pregnancy
If you had a belly piercing before you got pregnant and it has healed well, there is no medical reason to remove it. However, as your belly grows, the piercing can cause discomfort and skin irritation. That is why many people have it removed. However, it is not advisable to get a new belly piercing while you are pregnant. Since your body's immune system changes during this time, the healing process can be delayed and infections are more likely to occur.
These people are at greater risk.
If you have any of these health conditions, be sure to talk to your doctor before getting a belly piercing.
- Diabetes
- Blood clotting problems like hemophilia
- Autoimmune disorders
- Heart disease
- If there are skin diseases (rashes, moles) around the vagina
If your belly button is outside, not inside, it is not usually pierced because it is scar tissue and has more blood vessels, making it more risky.
Take-Home Message
- Although a belly button piercing is beautiful, it can take up to a year to heal. It needs to be taken care of very carefully during that time.
- Be sure to have this done only in a clean, experienced, and trustworthy place. Be especially careful with the equipment and needles used.
- First, choose a slightly thicker earring made from a good quality, hypoallergenic metal like titanium.
- Clean the wound daily with sterile saline solution. Avoid frequent touching and swimming pools.
- If you see signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, or fever, see a doctor immediately.
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