How do you treat an infected belly button piercing?
What are the treatment options?
- wash the hands before touching the piercing.
- cleanse the area with a piercing cleaning solution.
- apply an antibiotic ointment to the infection.
- avoid removing the piercing unless a doctor suggests doing so.
Should I take antibiotics for infected piercing?
As long as your infection is minor, you may be able to take care of it at home. If you’ve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected, seek medical treatment. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Significant infections of the cartilage can require hospitalization.
Can I put antibiotic ointment on an infected piercing?
DO NOTapply any ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin or any other “triple antibiotic” ointment on your piercing. These prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a sticky residue, which can cause complications. They are NOT designed for use on healing piercings.
What does an infected belly piercing look like?
Signs of infection include: severe swelling with pain and redness. yellow, green, gray, or brown discharge that has an odor. red lines that radiate from the piercing site.
What do doctors do for infected piercings?
Your healthcare provider may recommend a variety of treatments to help an infected ear piercing heal. These may include: Applying a warm compress to the infected earlobe or cartilage. Rinsing the infected earlobe with sterile saline.
Can I put Neosporin on my infected belly button piercing?
Consult a dermatologist before using an over-the-counter antibacterial cream, like Neosporin, as there’s a risk for allergic irritation of the skin and reduced airflow to the piercing site, which may increase risk for infection.
What cream can I put on infected piercing?
Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
Do you need antibiotics for a belly button piercing?
You may need antibiotics, especially if the infection is spreading. If you think that your belly button piercing is infected, don’t ignore the symptoms and hope the infection goes away on its own. You want to treat it before it develops into an abscess or spreads to your abdomen.
What should I do if my belly button ring is infected?
First, remember to wash your hands with an antibacterial soap. Then use a cotton swab and your cleaning solution to gently wipe the area around your belly button and the ring. Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
How to tell if your belly button is infected?
An infected navel piercing can easily be determined via the following signs and symptoms: Redness or tenderness is common after piercing your belly button, if this persists for longer than a couple of weeks, then it may be an infection. If your belly button remains swollen, and the swelling does not subside, it may indicate an infection.
What kind of bacteria causes a belly button infection?
Your doctor can try to determine what kind of bacteria is causing the issue, then offer treatment such as antibiotics to help. 2. A strep infection Streptococcus bacteria is another common cause of skin infections overall and belly button infections in particular, Dr. Lipoff says.