Yes, piercings can in fact itch when the healing process is underway. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the itching is a good sign as it denotes that the healing is progressing in a healthy and natural way. The extent of the itch greatly varies from one individual to another. Show No one considers getting a piercing to be a painless process. The discomfort, though, is only momentary, and most piercings heal perfectly well unless you’re hypersensitive to certain materials. You may have noticed that your piercing has started to scab or even swell after a day or two. This means that your body has registered the wound and is healing the area. The connective tissue from your epidermis begins to move towards the exposed region and slowly envelops the pierced skin cells. This gradual but noticeable movement of connective tissue is perceived by the body as an itch. Although a minor itch is a perfectly normal feeling after your piercing, what isn’t normal is severe itchiness, a rash or swelling. If these occur, your body is rejecting the piercing. If these symptoms subside in a day or two then you have nothing to worry about. If the swelling persists, however, it means that you have to employ a completely different course of action altogether. Cure for the ItchTry these methods to stop your piercing from itching and preventing it from getting worse: Experiment With JewelryThe materials involved in your piercing can be a major factor whether you’ll end up itching your piercing. If you’re presented with a choice, make sure you always opt for these non-toxic variants. They can be pricier but are worth it:
If you find yourself itching excessively, you could be reacting to the metal. Head back to the piercer to see if they can change the stock jewelry for one of a different metal. Keep the Area CleanA perfectly normal wound can rapidly convert into an infection if you don’t maintain a certain level of cleanliness. It’s extremely important to clean the piercing at least twice a day to ensure that bacteria doesn’t settle. Avoid touching the jewelry and skin or even using your hands to clean the wound, as your hands contain a crazy amount of bacteria, too. If you have to handle the wound, try using a fresh pair of gloves, and be sure to clean up any blood that may have dried around the site after the procedure was performed. To clean your wound, it’s preferable to use a saline solution, which can be created by mixing 2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water. If you can’t do this, use a mild, unscented soap as an alternative. Make sure you thoroughly dry the wound after cleaning it. Oxygenate the WoundMake sure that the wound has enough exposure to oxygen for the first four weeks, and that it isn’t subject to moisture. If your piercing is covered with clothes, make sure that you wear light and breathable fabrics for a few days until the wound heals. The best example of a fabric perfect for this situation would be plain ol’ cotton. Let the wound breathe, and you’ll be fine! Another threat of wearing restrictive clothes is that they can tug on your piercing and possibly even dislodge it over time. Wearing roomy clothes will help prevent this unfortunate accident. Moisturize RegularlyMoisturizing with a high-quality product at least twice a day can help solve your itchy piercing, as the dryness of your skin is tackled by the heavenly serum. Make sure you moisturize once you’ve cleaned and dried the piercing — this will also help your wound heal well over time by not locking in dirt, bacteria and excess moisture. A Piercing SummaryA new piercing can be itchy and even smelly — have you heard of ear cheese? — but most fans of this rebellious activity will tell you that it’s worth the effort. The itching is just a normal reaction to a puncture in your skin and your body is doing what it does best — healing you quickly and efficiently. An abnormal itch, however, can arise if you aren’t taking good care of your new piercing. If you use the right jewelry, keep your wound clean, and tend to it as advised, you should certainly avoid this eventuality. While most belly button piercings heal without issues, bacteria can infect the area before healing is complete. Infections are usually minor. Symptoms can include pain, redness, and swelling, and improving hygiene can help. Complete healing can take 9–12 months. In the meantime, a piercing is technically a healing wound, and it may be sore, red, or irritated. Intense pain, swelling, or a fever, however, can indicate a severe infection. It can be challenging to keep a belly button piercing clean and irritation-free, especially when there tends to be friction from clothing. This makes belly button piercings more prone to infection than piercings in other areas. Share on PinterestRed skin around the piercing could indicate an infection. Some signs of an infected belly button piercing include:
Distinguishing between signs of infection and regular healing can be difficult. Pain and swelling right after a piercing are common. It is important to monitor how symptoms change. If symptoms, such as pain, steadily improve, the piercing is probably healing normally. If a person suddenly experiences new symptoms, especially after a period of few or no symptoms, this can signal an infection. ComplicationsThe piercing process itself can transmit blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. The risk is greater when piercing equipment and jewelry are not sterile, especially when the piercing needles have been shared. Always choose a safe piercer. Anyone who is unsure whether their piercing conditions were sterile should consider being tested for these infections. An infection can spread from a piercing throughout the body. In some cases, the infection can cause life-threatening complications. Anyone with a weakened immune system should talk to a doctor before getting a piercing and immediately seek medical care for any signs of infection. A person’s immune system may be weak if they have, diabetes, HIV, AIDS, another chronic illness, or if they are taking chemotherapy. Issues other than infection can cause pain or discomfort around a belly button piercing. See a doctor about any new or unusual symptoms, as the cause can be difficult to identify. Allergic reactionsAllergies to the metal in body jewelry are common. Jewelry containing nickel is especially likely to trigger an allergic reaction. The Association of Professional Piercers recommend using metals, such as surgical steel, titanium, or nickel-free gold, that are less likely to cause reactions. They also suggest using smooth jewelry, free from bumps or nicks that might irritate the skin. Allergic reactions usually begin as soon as a person inserts the jewelry into the piercing. The reaction may be intense, involving a painful rash or swelling, or it may be minor but grow steadily worse. InjuriesWhen clothing or other objects catch on navel jewelry, it can injure and tear the skin. If the jewelry has caught on something, and the new piercing looks larger or feels painful, a person may have an injury. These injuries increase the chance of infection. They can also change the shape of the piercing or cause it to heal incorrectly. See a doctor about the injury and consult a professional piercer to see if the piercing requires redoing. Skin disordersSometimes, pain and irritation close to a piercing result from a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis. A rash, redness, peeling, or irritation could stem from a preexisting skin disorder. Injuries to the skin can trigger some disorders, such as psoriasis, and a piercing is one such form of injury. A doctor can usually diagnose an infection by looking at the piercing. When there is no infection, but the skin shows signs of irritation, a doctor will ask about recent changes involving the piercing, such as using a new cleaning solution or jewelry made from a different metal. The doctor can usually diagnose the cause of irritation after performing an examination and taking a complete medical history. However, the doctor may also need to take blood tests or a sample of the skin. Share on PinterestA person should see a doctor within 24 hours if they experience intense pain in the pierced area. A serious piercing infection can spread to other areas of the body. An entry from 2011 in BMJ Case Reports describes damage to the intestines that had been caused by a belly button piercing and resulted in death. However, the person had pierced themselves, and the authors described the piercing as very unusual. It is important to be cautious and contact a doctor if symptoms of infection do not resolve quickly. A person should see a doctor within 24 hours if:
See a doctor within a few days if:
A person may be able to treat a minor infection at home. It can help to:
An infection may need medical treatment, and antibiotics are usually effective. A doctor may recommend removing the jewelry and allowing the piercing to close, or replacing low-quality jewelry with some made from a metal less likely to irritate the skin. Share on PinterestThe piercer should wear gloves and use sterilized equipment to reduce the risk of infection. Excellent piercing care can help prevent infection. To reduce the risk of infection:
It may not be advisable to get a piercing:
It may be a good idea to go to a member of the Association of Professional Piercers, an organization that requires members to practice safe piercing and provides related education. A piercing is an injury to the skin that takes time to heal. Caring for the piercing as if it were any other sort of wound can significantly lower the risk of infection. If a piercing becomes infected, see a doctor as soon as possible for quick relief. Receiving prompt treatment can increase the likelihood that the piercing heals properly and does not require removal. Last medically reviewed on October 31, 2018 Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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