When the umbilical cord gets removed from the new born baby, it leaves behind the scar which is typically known as Belly button or Navel. The scar can develop in two styles. One is called depression (innie) and other is called protrusion (outie). The following is the belly button piercing information that can help you in understanding the pros and cons of belly button pierce.

Belly button (Navel) Piercing:

The current trend of various body art has not left people from belly button piercing. This belly button or navel piercing is quick to get and takes comparatively lesser healing time than other types of body piercings. It is considered as appealing and is getting popular in youth culture. Interestingly, navel piercing is not actually piercing the navel. Generally, the upper rim of the navel gets pierced, as to actually pierce the navel, one need to have ‘outie’ navel which is comparatively rare.

Belly button rings and other jewelry

Choosing the right type of Belly button rings is very important. One should keep the following important four points in mind while selecting belly button jewelry:

1) It should be attractive: It is very obvious that a person is piercing for an attraction. So, it is important for the one to select a piece which is really an attractive one.

2) It should match to your personality: Do not choose any jewelry because your friend wears it. There are various options available in the market and you can choose the one which suits to your personality.

3) It should be easy to clean: Cleaning part is very important. Do not select a ring or any other jewelry which is difficult to clean or easy to get dirty.

4) The metal should suit to your body: initially select a stainless steel you would be able to sterilize it and it generally does not react to the body. Belly button navel is one of the famous fashions that youngsters prefer.

You can select captive ball ring, barbell, vertical or horizontal piece.

Belly button rings pictures

picture : belly button rings

picture : navel ring infection

Belly button piercing procedure

• First an individual needs to bare the navel area.
• A sterile solution can be used to clean the area.
• Individual will need to stand while the piercer marks an entrance and exits holes at navel.
• Individual will then lie down and the piercer will keep a clamp on the bally at the marked area. A clamp will be aligned to keep the marked area in middle.
• A needle will be passed through the clamp after which clamp will be removed.
• With the help of the needle jewelry will trailed on.
• Most of the time piercer prefers putting bandage over the piercing.
  The jewelry will trail on from the rear of the needle.
• Finally the piercer usually puts a bandage above the top of the piercing.
• Don’t forget to get the instructions for after care.

Belly button piercing healing

Belly button piercing healing is a long process. It may take three months to a year. The timing varies from person to person. One should use the special solution given by the piercer and antibiotic soaps to clean the area. You can easily judge if the wound is healed or not. Even if it hurts a little with the slight touch it is not yet healed. Inflation, crusting, bleeding and redness are some of the signs which indicate that it is yet to heal. Make sure you do not change jewelry, and avoid constant touching and swimming in sea water till it gets healed. Also, do not remove your jewelry for long time as the hole may get closed without it.

Belly button (Navel) hernia

A belly button hernia is lump in the navel. It occurs when the muscle of abdominal wall doesn’t get sealed completely at the time of fetus development. The baby will have a weak spot at this muscle where a part of a tissue pokes through the area, pushing the weak muscle spot in the abdominal wall surrounding.

Generally, the belly button hernia will get closed within twelve months. However, if it is present till the child is four-year-old, and the child may have to go under the knife.

Umbilical hernia or navel hernia can also occur in adults. Those who are overweight or regularly lift heavy objects can develop this. Multiple pregnancies in a woman can put her in greater risk of developing this hernia.

The bulge at the navel can be clearly visible when a person laugh, cry or coughs. This hernia is generally not painful but you need to see the doctor if you feel the pain, or when you vomit or if the bulge grows bigger and get discolored.

Belly button hernia pictures

picture: umbilical hernia

image source: medicaltourismco.com

picture : types of hernia

picture : umbilical hernia ( swelling)

image source: spirita.net

Belly button discharge and odor

Belly button discharge and belly button odor is not a symptom of serious disease but can put you in an embarrassing situation in front of your partner.

The major cause of belly button discharge and odor are debris, fungal, urachal cyst, patent urachus, candidiasis and Sepsis after piercing.

Antibiotic topical and pills help this situation. It is advisable to use only the prescribed antibiotics.

Belly button pictures

Here are some pictures of belly button rings

picture : belly button picture (female)

(image source : aatheory.com)

picture : belly button (male)

Belly button infection

Navel infection is easy to get as it is susceptible to the various causes.

Belly button infection Causes:

• Belly button jewelry (Belly button piercing infection is the major cause.)
• Tattooing the belly
• Constant touching and rubbing the belly
• Tight jeans and belts
• Irregularly or carelessly in cleaning the navel.
• Taking bath in impure water
• Touching the navel with dirty hands.
• Unreasonably touching or rubbing naval.

Belly button infection pictures

Here are some infected navel piercing pictures :

picture : Belly button infection images

image source: ridemaps.com

Belly button infection Symptoms:

• Itchiness
• Redness
• Oozing of blood or pus
• Stinking Belly button odor
• Belly button pain

Belly button infection Treatment:

Cleaning your navel with hot or salty water can help. One can also try hydrogen peroxide to drain the pus and cleaning the infection. Antibiotic creams and soaps can give relief too. If this doesn’t help, then see the doctor immediately.

Belly button surgery

Belly button surgery, widely known as Umbilicoplasty, a type of plastic surgery done for modifying the appearance and shape of one’s belly button (navel). There are no scars in this operation.

Belly button during pregnancy

Belly button may change its shape at the time of pregnancy. The pregnant lady might be “innie” but can become “outy” at the time of pregnancy. It is a temporary change and the belly button will gain its original shape after the pregnancy. The belly button even gets itchy or can develop pain. It becomes the personal choice to remove or keep the belly button jewelry if it is pierced.

Also Read:

• Belly Button Infection and Belly Button Discharge
• Microdermal Piercing
• Flat Belly Diet : why and how it Works
• Your belly fat could lead to dementia.
• Cartilage (Ear) Piercing Information

by Dr John on 14. Aug, 2010 in Beauty