The Risks of Getting a Belly Button Piercing

A belly button piercing is one way to look edgy but have you considered the risks involved in piercing the navel? Unlike other body parts, the

navel has hidden folds that are prone to infection. Instead of improving your look, a belly button piercing could end up giving you daily annoyances! Before you go ahead and get a belly button piercing, consider the risks and restrictions involved in having one:

Infection, Rejection, and Deformity

Again, the belly button has tiny folds that require regular cleaning. Getting a navel piercing could increase the risk of infection significantly. According to an article published in India Parenting, the belly button collects bacteria, dead skin cells, sebum, and sweat. It harbors microbes that could cause infections. By creating an entryway for these microbes, you risk severe infection.

In addition, the piercing could come in contact with clothing, causing irritation from the constant friction. This too, could cause severe infection. Even innocent activities like sleeping or sitting could cause belly button infection! In some cases, the body rejects the piercing, pushing the piercing out of the body as the skin heals. And if this happens, the belly button becomes deformed permanently.

Trauma, Allergies, and Injury

When the skin around the belly button becomes inflamed, it will start swelling up. Clear liquid and pus will start oozing from the piercing, irritating the skin. Worse, the piercing could get caught on belts, fabric, etc. When this happens, the healing skin will be torn again. Eventually, the small piercing could turn to a large injury. This will limit day-to-day activities such as swimming, working out, lying in bed or dressing.

Women are particularly vulnerable to allergic reaction from the material used to make the belly button jewelry. If a piercer is not careful, he or she can also inflict damage on a major blood vessel, causing profuse bleeding, severe inflammation, and irritation.

Viral and Bacterial Diseases

Dirty needles can expose people from dangerous diseases including HIV and hepatitis C. In fact, celebrities like Pamela Anderson contracted hepatitis C from a dirty needle. That’s why it’s so important to check the health and safety codes of an establishment that offers piercings. If you’re resolute in getting your navel pierced, always do your research first before choosing a piercing parlor.

Skin Stretching and Pregnancy

The stomach does not retain its size forever. At some point, your belly will stretch from weight gain or pregnancy. When this happens, the piercing will become irritated, inflamed. As the piercing stretches, the healed skin becomes infected again. Sweat and bacteria will start accumulating on the wounded area, causing pain and swelling.

If you’re pregnant, this occurrence will become even more troublesome. When you go into labor, there is a real risk of piercing tearing out. This is why you should not wear a belly button ring throughout your pregnancy. However, once you remove the ring, the hole will close within several weeks. If you want to wear your belly ring again, you’ll have to get it pierced for the second time.

Minor Annoyances

When you have a pierced navel, you’ll have to find creative ways to avoid chafing. Belly rings could also set off metal detectors. The ring is also detectable by both medical and security X-ray. You’ll have to clean the belly ring several times per week to avoid infection.