Belly button rings are a very popular accessory these days and anyone considering getting this type of piercing should be aware that they need to care for it properly in order to avoid infection which can become very serious. A lot of people don't realize that if infections are left running rampant they can be a big threat to your health so if you get a belly piercing, you want to watch for the signs of infection which include discharge, itchiness, redness, swelling or continued bleeding.

The first few days after you get a piercing, you might notice some of the signs and this can be normal because you've just pierce the skin. However, the symptoms should be very minimal and sporadic and should go way after three or four days. If you have the symptoms and they have not disappeared or they are more than just a minor annoyance you should visit your doctor right away.

Your belly button ring may hurt for the first few days, especially when you touch it but you still must care for properly. In a letter to prevent your piercing from becoming infected you want to clean it properly. This means that you should use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to wash out the pierced area every day. You may also be given hydrocortisone to use on the area and you want to follow the instructions provided when you get the piercing. Make sure you always use a Q-tip or cotton ball when washing the area and let it dry before applying the hydrocortisone.

When you initially get your piercing you want to avoid wearing anything that can rub up against the area. It may take a few weeks for the piercing to heal properly and after that it really shouldn't hurt you that much. Until then you can try wearing sweatpants or pants where the band is lower than your belly button. You want to be sure that you take care when the piercing is new because you don't want to do anything to reopen or rip that tender skin.

Of course, the reason why you get your belly button pierced us to show it off and the best way to actually let the piercing heel is to let the air get at, so feel free to expose your belly, but be careful that it doesn't come in contact with any thing that might cause an infection. You also want to be extra vigilant with cleaning during these first few weeks and clean it more often then after it is healed.

Belly button rings can be fun accessories and can be fairly safe if you take the time to let them heal properly and clean them properly as well.