After washing your hands with soap and warm water,[2] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source use a Q-tip or cotton ball dipped in saline solution or mild antibacterial soap to wash both holes made by the piercing, as well as your belly button. Gently rotate your piercing about four times around after washing. To make your own saline solution, mix a half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Continue washing your piercing and the surrounding area once or twice daily until the redness, swelling, and discharge that normally follow a belly button piercing subside.
Do not use a washcloth or loofah to clean your belly button piercing. These can harbor bacteria and may pull or otherwise irritate your piercing. Use a gentle soap to wash both holes of your piercing, as well as your belly button and the surrounding area. Allow water from the shower to simply wash the soap away.
When you sweat, be sure to wash your belly button piercing at your earliest convenience.
If you experience unpleasant symptoms or an infection associated with your piercing, call the business where you received the piercing and ask what they recommend for treatment.
Do not play team sports, such as soccer or basketball, until your piercing is fully healed. Avoid activities that involve extensive stretching for two weeks as well, such as climbing and yoga.
When you want to adjust your jewelry or touch the area for another reason, be sure to wash your hands before doing so.
Other indications of an infection include excess crust around one or both of the piercing’s holes, persistent pain or soreness to the touch, skin sensitivity, the ability to see the piercing through the skin, or any movement or loosening of the piercing itself. If any of these symptoms are present, see you doctor.
Repeat this process twice a day to help kill bacteria and reduce irritation. Dry your belly button with a disposable paper product such as paper towel. A clean towel and gauze are other good alternatives.
Aloe vera gel can help soothe an irritated belly button and may even help prevent scarring. Get aloe vera gel from your local pharmacy.
If your belly button gets especially swollen, is significantly painful, and/or continually bleeds or discharges fluid, see your doctor as soon as possible.
