Belly (Navel) Piercing
The navel piercing is one of the world’s most popular piercings, but it is important that you understand the risks associated with this particular body modification. Below you will find everything you need to know if you are considering getting a navel piercing.
The Novelty Of Navel Piercings
Navel piercings have grown in popularity since they entered into mainstream awareness during the early 1990s. This is especially true amongst the younger generations; however, if you think navel piercings are a new trend, you’d be mistaken. There is archeological evidence that navel piercings have been around far longer than most people think. For example, Egyptian royalty pierced their navels as a ritualistic tradition.
Nevertheless, most people probably saw one for the first time during Aerosmiths’ iconic video for their song Crying, in which a young Alicia Silverstone gets her navel pierced.
Wearing jewelry through a navel piercing can definitely increase your aesthetic appeal and, while safe, if they are performed haphazardly, can be prone to create complications.
For that reason, it is advisable that you learn as much about it as possible.
Types Of Jewelry For The Navel
Whenever you get a piercing, of any kind, it is important that you consider the type of jewelry you are getting for your piercing. After all, this is a foreign metal object that is surgically inserted into your body.
Therefore, the material out which your piercings are made is very significant to your health. For example, certain metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, and brass, are known to cause severe allergic reactions in a large percentage of people. Iron rusts too easily and sterling silver will actually slow down healing.
So, which metals are appropriate for your navel piercing?
The best material for a body piercing, regardless of where on your body it’s going, is surgical grade metal. Typically, this means surgical steel or surgical titanium.
These metals are very stable and non-reactive, which means that they are the safest.
These Are The Risks Of Getting A Navel Piercing
Generally speaking, navel piercings consist of a very small orifice in the skin flap that protrudes above the navel. Performing a navel piercing is very quick, not unlike the type done to the ears; however, the risk for the complication is always present.
For example, if non-sterile equipment is used, there is a risk of contracting transmissible bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus.
Moreover, hygiene is essential to proper healing because the navel, unlike the ears, for example, tends to be a receptacle of bacteria. As a result, any wound that is not allowed to heal properly can become infected rather quickly.
A new navel piercing can take anywhere between 3 months to a full year to heal properly, so aftercare is extremely important. For example, you need to wash the area with a saline solution once per day. Avoid using cloth towels to dry, because these are a breeding ground for bacteria.
Never pick at the wound. It is normal for some discharge to build up and dry into a sort of crust.
This will fall away as the wound heals. However, if there is a foul-smelling discharge or if the area remains swollen and sore, you should seek medical attention.
How Painful are Navel Piercings?
Pain caused by body piercings is very subjective.
Some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others, so the level of discomfort caused by getting your belly button pierced will vary from one person to another.
Nevertheless, belly button piercings are not generally painful. In fact, if performed correctly, the pain will disappear almost immediately after the piercing is performed.
To avoid further discomfort during the healing process, avoid sleeping on your stomach. Also, avoid wearing tight-fitting shirts or high-waisted pants to minimize the degree of friction.
Stay away from swimming pools, since the chlorine in them can act as an inflammatory irritant. Don’t visit the beach for at least a few weeks to avoid any sand particles from getting into the wound and increasing the risk of infection.
Speaking of Complication
While relatively rare, complications from getting your navel pierced are a very real possibility.
Here are some things you should keep an eye out.
Foreign Body Granuloma: sometimes, when a foreign body enters your flesh, such as a splinter or metal jewelry, your immune system goes into overdrive and accumulation of immune cells hardens around the object. This results in a hard lump of reddened tissue forming around the piercing.
Fibroids: Other signs of complications include fibroids, which are benign tumor-like warts, that form around the site of the piercing.
Always look out for inflammation and irritation of the skin as these are the first signs of complication.
If any of these, or any other type, of infections, appear, the piercing must be removed, especially in the case of fibromas or granulomas.
Conclusion
Before getting a piercing, something on the surface is harmless, you have to be aware of what the potential complications can be. Being educated minimizes the risk of infections and other complications, and improves the probability of your piercing healing faster.
