What should I do if I think my piercing is infected?

**collegegirl2010** · 02-17-2011 04:01 PM

I think my belly button piercing is infected because its constantly sore. The fluid that comes out isn't discolored and it doesn't have an odor or anything. If it is infected and my doctor prescribes me medicine, do I just take the medicine until the infection goes away? or do I have to remove the piercing? Plus after I got the jewelry changed by the piercer after 4 months, I didn't keep cleaning it like I should have. Do you think that's it?

**Little.Chuck** · 02-17-2011 04:29 PM

I don't think it should have liquid coming out of it even if it does not smell. I think your doctor will tell you to remove it. You could try changing your bar. Is it gold? Yes, if they said you should clean it and you didn't bother, that could be what has caused it.

**ItsASecret** · 02-18-2011 08:34 AM

If you get antibiotics take them, the entire prescription for however many days it is prescribed. Do not skip any, do not say "I am better I do not need them anymore". If you do not take the entire prescription, if you are prescribed that is, then you will be allowing resistant bacteria to develop to that particular antibiotic.

If you are not getting a prescription you must keep it clean. In the shower make sure you do not skip over washing it, put some peroxide on a Q-tip and dab it on the area. You can also dissolve a ton of salt into a little glass of water and again dip a Q-tip in it and rub it over the infected area. Then wash off with some regular water. The peroxide and salt methods will work over time keeping the bacteria at generally low levels. If you take your piercing out then the hole is likely to grow over eventually and you will need to get it re-pierced.

**collegegirl2010** · 02-18-2011 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by ItsASecret

If you get antibiotics take them, the entire prescription for however many days it is prescribed. Do not skip any, do not say "I am better I do not need them anymore". If you do not take the entire prescription, if you are prescribed that is, then you will be allowing resistant bacteria to develop to that particular antibiotic.

If you are not getting a prescription you must keep it clean. In the shower make sure you do not skip over washing it, put some peroxide on a Q-tip and dab it on the area. You can also dissolve a ton of salt into a little glass of water and again dip a Q-tip in it and rub it over the infected area. Then wash off with some regular water. The peroxide and salt methods will work over time keeping the bacteria at generally low levels. If you take your piercing out then the hole is likely to grow over eventually and you will need to get it re-pierced.

I was cleaning it with peroxide and it was doing well until I stopped. But I'm going to start back cleaning it. I cleaned it last night.

**collegegirl2010** · 02-18-2011 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Little.Chuck

I don't think it should have liquid coming out of it even if it does not smell. I think your doctor will tell you to remove it. You could try changing your bar. Is it gold? Yes, if they said you should clean it and you didn't bother, that could be what has caused it.

I was told that the liquid coming out is normal, but it shouldn't have any pain to it.

**Little.Chuck** · 02-18-2011 03:33 PM

Did a doctor tell you that its normal? I doubt liquid should be coming out of a healed piercing - have you been diagnosed with an infection yet?

**collegegirl2010** · 02-18-2011 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Little.Chuck

Did a doctor tell you that its normal? I doubt liquid should be coming out of a healed piercing - have you been diagnosed with an infection yet?

well, it's not fully healed yet, which is why I should still be cleaning it. But I was hard headed and stop cleaning it. And no, I haven't been to the doctor yet, I got next week.

**TigersPrettyBunny** · 02-21-2011 03:30 PM

DO NOT TAKE IT OUT IF IT IS INFECTED! SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY! If you take it out then the open wound of the piercing will seal up therefore holding in all the pus and infection. This can cause further infection and damage. If it is ANYWHERE on your face then you'd better get it checked out... like... yesterday.