Is my Piercing infected?

[LilHypochondriac]

Hi, I got my belly button pierced in January, and it healed amazingly.  No pus or crust, ever.  I think part of the reason is because I was on antibiotics when I got it pierced.  It was pierced at 18 guage which is pretty small.  Well after I changed it about 6 months later, to a larger guage (not sure what just bigger), it would sometimes get pus and crust but never what I would really consider an infection...no swelling or redness or pain.  I've always been excellent about cleaning it.

I just changed it again about a week ago, and I had a hard time getting it in.  I spent a lot of time irritating it and poking the inside wall, and it got red and painful.  Since then I've been trying to keep it really clean because I know all that irritating could lead to an infection.  However, just my luck...yesterday I forgot to clean it while in the shower (which NEVER happens but normally wouldn't cause an infection, it just so happens that the timing was horrible).  It was getting really red at work and sore painful to the touch, and sharp painful if i bumped it, and a little itchy on the inside but I of course didn't scratch it or move the piercing through it.  As soon as i got home from work i cleaned it.  Well it seems to be redder more swollen and more painful today.  It seems like it's getting infected...

So my question is, can I get rid of the infection since it's not too far along (no pus or bleeding just red swollen and painful), by cleaning 3 times a day or something?  Or do i have to go to the doctor and get antibiotics?

[ehunny05]

I had the same problem after I had my navel pierced. I had to actually take it out and let it heal.  But later on I had it repierced and it happened again.  I eventually found out that I have a nickel allergy and unfortunately when my navel became inflamed so did my ears from my earrings.  If it still doesnt go away with the H2ocean , try using surgical stainless steel gauge it has no nickel or see your doctor and ask to be prescribed Dermatop Emollient Cream. I use it on my ears when they break out and it works.

[LilHypochondriac]

thank you  =)

[chellybeans]

you may be able to get something called H2ocean at a local tattoo piercing parlor and apply that a few times a day along with the cleaning. it helps alot and is very soothing in my experience.

if you have red streaks, fever, green pus or much swelling you'll need a doctor to prescribe oral antibiotics.