Infected Belly Button Piercing: Do NOT Remove Jewelry – Here's Why

Never remove jewelry from an infected piercing. Removal can trap bacteria inside, forming an abscess.

Correct Steps

1. Clean: 2× daily with sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) or mild fragrance-free soap + water. No alcohol, peroxide, ointments.
2. Compress: Warm saline soak 5 min, 2× daily.
3. Leave Jewelry In: Allows drainage; prevents premature closure.
4. Topical Antibiotic: Only if prescribed (e.g., mupirocin).
5. Avoid: Pools, hot tubs, tight clothing, touching.

When to See a Doctor

• No improvement in 24–48 hours.
• Spreading redness, warmth, streaks.
• Fever, chills.
• Purulent discharge increasing.
• Embedded jewelry (skin growing over).

Medical Treatment

• Oral antibiotics (cephalexin, doxycycline, TMP-SMX).
• Incision & drainage if abscess.
• Jewelry removal ONLY by professional after infection controlled.