How to Treat a Bellly Button Piercing

A belly button or navel piercing accessorizes the body much in the same way as a pair of earrings adorns the ears. Even though you acquire a belly button piercing intentionally, it's still considered a puncture wound. When not cared for properly, the site of the piercing can become infected and painful. Treating your belly button piercing is simple to do and, by following daily after care procedures, you can ensure the wound heals without infection or pain.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Towel
• Cotton swabs
• Saline solution
• Paper towels
• Loose-fitting clothing

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Instructions

• 1

  Hand washing is an important part of caring for your belly button piercing.

  Wash your hands with antibacterial soap then dry them with a clean towel before tending to your belly button piercing. This prevents the transfer of germs from your hand to the piercing wound.

• 2

  Wash the pierced area of your navel with antibacterial soap. Carefully clean around the ends of the belly button ring. Rinse the area with warm water. Dampen a cotton swab with warm water and gently wipe the ring to remove any crusty material from the surface. Do not disturb scabs or crustiness around the piercing itself as that can lead to irritation and bleeding.

• 3

  Squirt commercial saline solution over the belly button piercing to further cleanse and sanitize it. Gently pat the area dry with a paper towel to avoid transferring germs from bathroom towels.

• 4

  Dress in loose-fitting clothes and avoid waistbands that go directly over the belly button piercing. It's important to make sure the clothing isn't rubbing up against the piercing or that the piercing doesn't get snagged on tight-fitting clothing.