Instead of using the sea salt solution for my naval piercing...

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Answer by amanda
Submitted on 2/3/2004
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hey .. well i got my belly button pierced about 3 days ago and its looks great! theres absolutely no redness, swelling,bruising or nething. i jsut wanted to know if tahts normal for just getting it done? also i need to know where to get satin or provon antibacterial soap too cuz i cant seem to find in newhere. ive been usung epson salt instead of sea slat for the soaks, but my pharmasist said tahts its ok to use being taht epson salt and sea salt are basically the same. also, its it good to turn your naval piercing while cleaning it with antibactirial soap when u first get it? becasue the first time i cleaned it it started to spin and get the antibacterial in the wound and i dont know if i should have waited to get the soap inside. but if anyone has any tips e-mail me! i just want my belly button to heal good and look good !

Answer by CajunMom
Submitted on 8/29/2004
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I had a piercing day before Mother's day at age of 40. I am still 40. I think you all are stressing a little too much about your piercings. Most piercers will tell you it can take up to a year for navel piercings to heal. Some times it looks great, sometimes it looks pinkish and infected. It's the course it takes. I have pink, I cut down on amount of salt use. I get flesh bulges, I prick it with a pin and let the blood drain. Make sure you do 1 five minute salt soak a day and a few 1 minute soaks in between. Clean twice a day with a good antibacterial soap like Provon. With the internet I find it hard to believe you can't find sea salt or Provon to purchase online. Chill out and give your new piercings time to heal. It is NOT an ear piercing. It takes a longer time. Don't let your clothes or stockings irritate it. And watch how you move, listen to your piercing, if it hurts to do crunches don't do them. Wait for your piercing to heal. Good luck and enjoy all the guys loving your piercing. Also, men don't get one for me. I like the silver ring in the upper or lower lobe on the ear for you, but anything else for me is TOO much. Last, I am not a doctor, just passing on my experience. I use a very small amount of regular salt in my soaks and yea, I do touch my piercing, if I want to. So, piercer get off my back about it. It's doing fine. If it does get infected, I'll leave it alone for a while. Oh, and don't remove your ring because it is red and irritated, you can get an abcess. See your piercer. Only remove it if it looks like your body is rejecting it. See your piercer first, he/she may be able to change the ring for one your body will accept.

Answer by Kel
Submitted on 5/30/2005
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I got my navel pierced about 11 months ago. FOr the first 6 months everything was great and almost no redness So then i changed my barbell to a dif one. Within a week i developed a bump at the bottom which i healed with cocoa butter and the regular cleaning. A month later i had dried blood at the bottom hole and swelling around both holes along with some pain. I went to my piercer shop and they said it was a small infection and would heal up if i just keep cleaning. The infection went away and it was fine for about a week but now its back. My piercing is red all over and hurts when i sit and burns when i clean it in the shower.. i was wondering if maybe the bar was too long (becuz it was longer than my first one) and that was causing irritation or what? what should i do to help it finally heal? thanks

Answer by virginia
Submitted on 9/15/2005
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Bactine is good for piercings but remember, Bactine is for cuts and burns, so naturally, it dries out wounds. If you use Bactine for piercings it'll dry them out a bit. I think it's good for belly button piercings, but definitely not for any clit piercings.. or genital piercings in general. Dryness means itching.. Itching means uncomfortable. So for genital piercings I'd recommend a Saline Solution because it's really gentle on the piercing. Be sure the Saline Solution IS NOT Multi-Purpose and get one that's extra sensitive. Do this 2-4 times a day. Sea salt IS a god send. It's also for good for your skin. No-nos: Peroxide Alcohol Iodine Also, for cleaning piercings with soap ALWAYS use a Mild soap (Lever 2000, Dial). If you have really sensitive skin then I'd recommend and oatmeal soap like Aveeno. Avoid hot tubs and swimming pools for at least 6 weeks! The Chlorine is BAD BAD BAD for piercings! And as bad as it sucks, avoid bodily fluids ;) and also facial cleansers are WAAAY to strong to be used on your sensitive piercing! If you're really just not sure what's right for your piercing, there's always a local piercer around! Don't rely on what your friends tell you.. unless they're professional piercers! Hope this helps... e-mail me for more info. afterglow_00_@hotmail.com -Virginia

Answer by Chelsea
Submitted on 10/25/2005
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I have had my naval pieed for about 3 or 4 months now. i am a little confued of the pierg, becasue my mom got a naval last year from the same place and they started her ot on a hoop that went up through the bottom hole and put the top, yet mine is regular belly button peircing BUT goes in the top and out the bottom i have tried to change the piercing and it always ends up irratating, red, and hurting. my newest goes from bottom to top, do u think i need a new pericing that goes from top to bottom instead?? ive never heard of such.. and also if u are allergic to fake silver will it bother ur belly button if u have a fake silver pericing in it? please let me know all u can at my email d3vilsdoll@yahoo.com

Answer by Tiff
Submitted on 12/2/2005
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For my 19th birthday one of my friends decided to take me to get my naval pierced as my birthday present. He knew I've wanted it for years so I was fine with it. My top hole is red but now i know thats normal. For about 2 days it would start to itch when I would lay down to go to bed. I've had it done for about 1 1/2 weeks now and I put pain reliever neosporin on it twice and it made the itching go away. Now my piercing doesn't bother me anymore but it still is red. I don't plan on using neosporin anymore but I do use equate saline solution and sea salt. You can find the right sea salt in any major grocery stores like Jewel Osco and the saline solution you can find at Walmart.

Answer by glensbabi2003
Submitted on 12/9/2005
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I got my naval pierced for the second time two and a half months ago. The first time my piercer changed my ring after 5 weeks, which I have since been told was to soon. Then it almost came all the way out of my skin, that's when I removed it. The whole time it was sore, red and had a puss. I was told by that piercer to use sea salt. The second piercer told me NEVER to use sea salt. She knew who the first piercer was and was really mad. She said that he was self taught( no training). I was really mad about that. She told me to only use antibacterial soap. She said to lather up my hands with it, lather up my piercing, and slide my ring back and forth 10 times. Never to touch it unless I was cleaning it. She didn't tell me how long to keep this routine up, but I assumed by 8 weeks that I could change the ring and not clean it 2-3 times a day. I started cleaning it just when I got my daily shower. Well, it started to get a little red, puss and sore. Then my fiance got lotion in it. I need to know if all this is normal. Does it sound infected and what do I do about it. I REALLY want to keep my piercing. I was thinking about getting a clitoral piercing but, now I'm scared. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer by Nitetygress
Submitted on 12/13/2005
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I just want people to know, that sea salt is recommended because table salt is iodized. This means it has iodine in it. Sea Salt does not have iodine, and therefore people who are allergic to iodine can use it and it is considered "for everyone" Table salt will work fine if you are not allergic to iodine, and if you are allergic you would know by now. Also, vasaline, neosporin, and curel shouldnt be used because they are sticky and can harbor bacteria. Also, naval piercing typically take 3-6 months to heal completely. Sometimes even a year. 2 months is not unusual for a piercing not to have healed because you are piercing a hinge! In terms of hurting, it hurts for a bit then goes away, same as any other piercing. I'm phobic of pain and needles, and I survived =) Good Luck! And be careful, there are a lot of rumors about how to care for naval piercings, and some piercers even fall into these traps!

Answer by Brpansan
Submitted on 3/8/2006
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I got mine done two weeks ago and it is doing great. Wash it with dial antibacterial soap a few times a day. I have a pointed, curved syringe that fits right into the top hole where I can flush out the hole with Sea Salt solution. It works wonderfully. I do it about 6 to 8 times a day. Just dial soap and sea salt. Flush it after taking a shower. You get shampoo residue, etc in it and leave it there, you will have problems. PLEASE get all crusties off before moving it around. You can force a crusty in the hole and that can be bad. Another tip, get a shot glass full of sea salt. Bend over and position it over the piercing, lay on your back for about 5 minutes or so and just soak it, It helps a lot.

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Question by CathyinNC
Submitted on 8/31/2003
Related FAQ: rec.arts.bodyart: Piercing FAQ 6--The Healing Process & Healing Problems
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Instead of using the sea salt solution for my naval piercing can I use saline solution for the eyes ?

Answer by Audra
Submitted on 9/16/2003
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I've actually just gotten my naval pierced 1 week ago.. I was also suggested the sea salt, no peroxide, no alcohol, and no neosporin... but they said to make sure the salt is so low that it's like tears.. but just to make sure.. there might be certain things in eye drops that can react with your piercing.. but you should contact your nearest tattoo/body piercing store closest to you for you best answer!

Answer by Danielle
Submitted on 9/26/2003
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NO! Saline solution has an added buffer especially for eyes.

Answer by Sarah
Submitted on 9/28/2003
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If you go to the pharmacy, they sell normal saline, I think that would be ok, ask the pharmacist

Answer by Andr'a Bean
Submitted on 10/22/2003
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I don't have my navel pierced. But I do have friends that have their's done. They use Bactine, Saline Solution (just for cleaning crusties), also another good one is SATIN SOAP. It's a god sent. I use it for all of my cartilage piercings. And they are healed very nicely. So I'm suspecting that it will heal a navel piercing also.

Answer by GodIsMetal
Submitted on 12/27/2003
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If you apply a small amount of NON-ORGANIC healing lotion (such as Curel or Vaseline Intensive Care) to the area around the piercing, it will prevent "crusties" from forming altogether, and will also eliminate any dry or irritated skin associated with frequent cleanings/soakings. Use a very small amount, in between cleanings. Most disinfectants tend to dry out sensitive skin if used frequently and repeatedly, especially during really dry weather (eg. winter time.)

Answer by kcihteteyr
Submitted on 12/27/2003
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Saline solution is OK. Just make sure you buy the mildest and don't be afraid to buy the cheap store name brand thats all you really need its like 2 dollars for a big bottle. It will last a long time. Make sure you do sea salt soaks at least one a week they are the best thing to clean you piercing.

Answer by gracey
Submitted on 1/7/2004
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I have tryed everything, nothing seems to work. I,ve had open heart surgery in 1992 i was wondering if that may be the problem? IF so maybe someone can give me advice on how to keep me from losing my naval piercing. by the way this is my third piercing on my navel. as of now my last resort is using seasalt if that doesn,t work i am forced to let it close/////.....well all i can say is i really tried too keep it from having to let it close up on me.i would be very greatfull to whom ever has the answer for me thank you your friend in need gracey pellegrino p.s. thanks for listing

Answer by Chrissie
Submitted on 1/28/2004
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is it bad if the sea salt i have is iodized??...and the soap...satin or proven..where can u find that? thanx a lot!!

Answer by ahmel
Submitted on 2/5/2004
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i had been using saline all the while and it is all good until I think I kinda injured my navel piercing and it migrated. So now I had taken it out before it is totally rejected. anyway if you are going to use soap, make sure that it is not scented ones since those have a different sort of chemical that may be too strong for the piercing

Answer by Megan
Submitted on 2/17/2004
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I was thinking about getting my naval pierced and i was wondering how bad it actually hurt. Also, people have mentioned the fact that it gets rejected? I'm really confused on what that's supposed to mean. Thanks alot!

Answer by kelly
Submitted on 2/28/2004
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i just got my navel piercing done a little over a week ago, its tender to the touch and i had to switch the ring cuz that last ring irritated it really bad, so i went back and my piercing place changed it for me, but its still red and tender, does that sound infected?? is there anything i can do??

Answer by baby
Submitted on 3/29/2004
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I got my piercing about 2 weeks ago and immediately used sea salt, it works great. it is not tender, red or anything. i would recomend it and if u live on the east coast it is easy to obtain, but for those in the midwest... good luck.

Answer by rena
Submitted on 4/10/2004
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I HAD MY NAVEL PIERCED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT STILL HASN'T HEALED. I WAS TOLD TO USE MILD SOAP ALONG WITH A&D OINTMENT. OK, THAT WAS FINE. THEN I WAS TOLD TO USE NEOSPORIN..NOT MUCH OF A CHANGE. SO THEN A FRIEND TOLD ME HER MOTHER USED PEROXIDE CUZ IT HAD BEEN HURTING. THAT TOOK THE PAIN AWAY BUT IT'S STILL NOT HEALED. IVE DONE SEA SALT SOAKS..THAT SEEMS TO HELP. BUT AS FAR AS A CLEANING SOAP/SOLUTION I CANT FIND ANYTHING! SO I USE DIAL.IS THAT BAD?

Answer by Piercedfun
Submitted on 4/20/2004
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Rena: Advice, take out the belly button ring. If it has been 2 months and you are still having problems, then maybe you aren't meant to have a naval piercing. If that isn't good enough advice, then my next advice is to see a dermatologist, who knows about skin and prescribe something for the infection. Peroxide, alcohol and neosporin are NOT good for naval piercings. Go to the doctor.

Answer by LG
Submitted on 4/20/2004
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I really want to get my naval pierced but how long does it take to heal? How long will it be before I can change the jewellery? Can anyone help?

Answer by Jon
Submitted on 4/28/2004
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Do men have their navals pierced. Is it fashionable for men? Please help. also does it hurt when u have the naval pierced and are there any nerves on it. Pleae give me any of your advice? THANKYOU

Answer by LiE
Submitted on 5/2/2004
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For all those wondering if it hurts... it's actually not that bad.... it probably took about 20 seconds... and it only hurt when my piercer first put the needle in... but afterwards... there was not much pain... i got it about a week ago.. and it only hurts if i stretch a weird way... such as in playing sports... other than that, everything is good... also, my piercer recommended unscented Dial soap... (the orange one) with daily salt soaks...

Answer by brooklyn4eva
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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can you use the cleaning solution for ear piercings for a naval piercing?

Answer by alysha
Submitted on 6/10/2004
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i can't find sea salt anywhere in my city i live in wisconsin maybe thats the problem. Does anybody know where to go?

Answer by Emily
Submitted on 6/15/2004
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I just got my naval pierced 3 days ago I wasnt told how to take care of it very well. But I got on the net and looked it up and found that you can clean it with Dial antibacterial or softsoap. Found at supermarkets. and Sea Salt soaks. NOT TABLE SALT PEOPLE. but no neosporine or anything like that. and never touch your piercing unless your cleaning it. and don't over clean it you can kill all the good bacteria in your body that kill the bad bacteria. so 2-3 times a day max. Once when you get up once in the bath/shower/ and befor you go to bed. and yes it will look good for the first few days then it will get red and puffy and crustie. Thats all the info i have found.

Answer by Jenna
Submitted on 6/18/2004
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here: some of ya'llneed some serious help. go to http://www.safepiercing.org/. it'll really help all of you clueless people out there.

Answer by Tiffany
Submitted on 6/20/2004
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go to tribalectic.com. they are pros. my email is halestorm03@hotmail.com. let me know if it worked for you.

Answer by ~LiLRiVaSGiRl~
Submitted on 8/30/2004
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hey i need to know where to find some sea salt solution what store?....and i need to know how to take the barbell out cause my dad got mad and he dont want me going back to the shop i got it done at so any body have advise...thanks alot

Answer by Babygirl
Submitted on 10/10/2004
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where can you find provon and satin? Please email me frickNfrack21@hotmail.com Thank You very much!

Answer by Alysha
Submitted on 10/14/2004
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Hey people, if your piercing is getting infected, DON'T i repeat DON'T remove the jewelery unless under supervision of a doctor. The piercing acts as a drain, if u remove the piercing it will close up around the area of infection and this can cause it to spread and become a MUCH bigger problem!

Answer by Amee
Submitted on 10/27/2004
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you people are screwwed up. a navel piercing takes 6 months to completely heal.if it migrates that doesnt mean it will reject.some poeple heal faster than others and the area can remain red for quite some time... go here http://p196.ezboard.com/fbodypiercingtattooingandbodymodificationfrm28 its a better site with informed people!

Answer by Colleen
Submitted on 10/28/2004
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OK, I got my belly button pierced like a week ago and it was alright and everything. But then after 3 days it turned red, the lady told me to use polysporn and rubbing alcohol! But don't use both of it !! And then my friend told me to use contact solution and it was perfect !

Answer by Starz_align
Submitted on 11/9/2004
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A naval piercing usually fully heals in 6 months and you are able to change it in a month after having it pierced. To clean it use mild dial soap(regular yellow/orange looking cheap thing) and Epsom salt (I promise you it'll work great) you can find that close to bandages and stuff like that. Of course there will be redness and it'll be tender but that's normal. As long as you don't touch it with dirty hands...or you don't clean it often, you shouldn't have a problem.

Answer by Les
Submitted on 11/12/2004
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I've just had mine done (today) and the studio said 15 drops tea tree oil in a mug of boiled water is best

Answer by bubbles
Submitted on 1/6/2005
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when you get your navel pierced use what the piercier told you to. this will reduce scaring and infection. guys do get their belly buttons done but its not a fashion for them. most guys wow get it done get made fun of and are thought of as gay. i no thats not cool but its the way people think so if a guy wants it they should get it. Also about it hurting i have a high pain tolerince and it hurt me for a second. but make sure you eat candy before you go so you dont pass out

Answer by san
Submitted on 1/6/2005
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I have been having a lot of trouble with mine , but I think it's because I have been wearing the same pants I used to wear before the piercing they all rubb it and make it really sore for about 2 weeks. It gets all red and hurts to touch worse t hen it did when I first got it done which has been atleast 5 months ago . please help me .

Answer by archijs
Submitted on 1/25/2005
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men with pierced navel it is the fashion now in 2005 just walk on some holiday strands it is cool and myself sporting a barbell in the navel i can only say go for it tom

Answer by abs
Submitted on 3/16/2005
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Hi evreybody I havent atually got my belly button pierced YET. But some of my mates have and they say the best thing is sea salt crystal.So if you have just got your belly done may I sugest this Laters peeps

Answer by kirsti
Submitted on 3/23/2005
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Ok for everyone wondering if it hurts or not...it really depends on the person and also your skin type. Like me and my friend went and got ours done together, she is italian and so she has naturally dark skin. She went first and the lady had a really really hard time getting the needle all the way through and it hurt her so bad she was like crying, but when i went, i honestly didnt even feel it. Like she said she was done and i was like "are you serious" because i thought she had just pinched it to get it ready or something...so again it really depends on how you handle pain and your skin type.