belly button piercing

[shyjane]

Any advice on after care for a belly button piercing. I had it done yesterday, it bled quite a bit initially. Just feels sore now. I didn't sleep too well as I sleep on my tummy.

[VHG]

The NHS web site says

Healing times for the most common body piercings are as follows:
•earlobe – six weeks
•top of the ear – at least three to four months
•belly button – up to a year
•tongue – one to two months
•nose – two to three months

http://www.nhs.uk/con...ges/Introduction.aspx

[daffy654]

Keep it clean and free of any tight clothing. Use a surgical spirit type fluid to clean it twice a day.

[Sqad]

Still early days.....keep it as dry as possible, take Ibuprofen 400mgms if it becomes painful and watch out for swelling and redness in the next 3 days.
It should settle.

[Bluestone]

I was advised to use Saline Solution on mine. Bought some from boots, in a large spray can.

[shyjane]

Thanks, I seemed hot when I woke up this morning so was worried I had a temperature. I took paracetamol and I am taking ibuprofen for the pain. I didn't realise it would take so long to heal! I'm going to have to cover it each nite, padded, as I just don't think I will sleep well. I just took off the dressing and there was just dried blood, it didn't seem red, I wiped it with tea tree oil solution. I will do the salty water bit too.

[aelmpvw]

why do it?

[maggiebee]

That was going to be my question aelmpvw. Why?

[Euphemia]

To keep the dust out?

[EvianBaby]

You didn't realise it would take so long to heal? You had it done yesterday, I'd hardly call that a long time.

You've put a hole in your body - papercuts take longer than a day to heal.

[Bluestone]

I wouldn't cover it! You need to let the air get at it.

I didn't think people still had this done. Bit dated, in my opinion.

[Paul22118]

Used to work alongside a guy who was a Prince Albert specialist (yes really). He always said that no piercing heals in less than a couple of months and for PA wearers the advice was imerse in a tepid saline solution several times a day and dry with light lint. Does that help? It is a piercing after all.

[ummmm]

Mine didn't need any extra care. Just stay clean. I had mine done about 17 years ago :-0

[Mamyalynne]

A good Piercer should have given you clear instructions on aftercare and healing times - also what to look for re possible infection.