What is coming out of my old belly button piercing?

Whitney is an expert on piercings and tattoos, with experience in the body modification world.

Naval piercings and their common problems.

knitsteel

Navel piercings are very popular, especially among young girls, teenagers, and young adults. They are generally pretty easy to heal, but that doesn't mean that they will always heal without complications.

Some people experience infections, and others may experience migration (when the piercing slowly moves from its first location) or even rejection (when the body forces the jewelry out). Although navel piercings typically heal quickly, it is common for them to migrate or reject. Infection, metal allergies, scarring, tearing, and stretching are also common. Some people's bodies simply cannot heal successfully, no matter what. You just don't know how your body will react until you give it a try.

The important thing is to make sure that you keep up with proper aftercare and wear proper jewelry, as this will help improve the odds of avoiding complications.

1. migration
2. rejection
3. infection
4. scarring
5. metal allergy
6. excessive bleeding
7. over-cleaning
8. tearing
9. stretching

Each of these issues is described fully below.

Migration: What if My Piercing Moves?

When a piercing migrates, it doesn't fully reject out of the body, but it changes from its original position. It may move just a little, or it may move completely away from the navel.

Common Causes of Migration Include:

• If the body doesn't like the metal that was used for the jewelry. (Surgical grade steel and titanium are the best to prevent migration.)
• If the jewelry is not the right type. (CBRs and other rings are more prone to complications than a curved, banana barbell.)
• If there is tissue damage around the piercing area.
• If there isn't enough tissue strength to hold and support the jewelry.
• If there was incorrect placement, such as if it was pierced too shallow or not absolutely perpendicular.
• If there is any friction, such as that caused by pants, belts, or shirts.
• If there is aggravated damage or trauma caused by hitting or pulling at the jewelry.
• If there is pressure, such as caused by another piece of jewelry from another piercing moving or putting pressure on the one in question.
• If your body grows: If you got the piercing when you were young and your body was not fully developed, or if you gain weight or become pregnant, as your body changes and alters, the piercing will, too, potentially causing migration.

There's nothing that you can really do to stop migration, but you can impede it by avoiding the potential causes listed above. If you see signs of migration, you'll want to remove the jewelry, let it heal, and then try to get re-pierced.

What Causes Rejection or Migration?

Heavy, thin-gauge jewelry made of the wrong material can cause rejection or migration.

Rejection: What if My Body Rejects the Jewelry?

If it continues to migrate, it may actually be rejecting, which is when your body pushes the jewelry out in an attempt to heal itself. Just like the body would force out a splinter, it will force out jewelry, which is a foreign material, and the body doesn't like foreign objects to be inserted into it.

Some people just can't heal navel piercings. Some repeatedly try, but each time, it rejects or starts to migrate.

Scar on top hole and keloid on the bottom hole.

When rejection occurs, you may notice the following signs:

• The barbell will appear longer.
• The fistula will become shallower.
• The holes of the piercing will move.
• There will typically be a trail from where the holes were originally placed to where they are now.
• There may be redness or scarring around the holes.
• The jewelry may start to hang differently.
• There may be some sensitivity in the area, but it typically will not hurt.
• The hole may appear larger than before.
• The skin between the two holes may start to appear thin and see-through.

Unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done to stop rejection. The best thing to do is to just remove the jewelry, let it heal, and try to have it re-pierced again. If you do not remove the jewelry, you will be left with a nice scar. In some cases, the body will completely reject the jewelry and force the barbell out completely.

The good thing is that rejection doesn't hurt. And no, your piercing doesn't have to be infected to be migrating or rejecting.

Infection: What Are the Signs?

Bacterial infections most often occur soon after the piercing, but can happen any time. It could be the result of poor aftercare, unsanitary conditions, a reaction to the jewelry, or an untended rip or tear.

• Usually, you'll see swelling and redness in the area and it will feel painful and perhaps hot to the touch. The swelling may become a boil or an abscess.
• You may see a discharge of pus (clear, white, yellow, brown, or green) that might dry to a crust.
• If left untreated, you might even have a fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms.
• Red lines radiating from your belly button.

A thorough cleaning regime and antibiotic treatment will be necessary. If it's exacerbated by a reaction to the jewelry, you may need to change it out to something made of titanium or implant-grade surgical steel, but it's best to not remove the jewelry (or to touch or fiddle with the piercing with your fingers, which may be dirty).

Scarring: Can I Avoid It?

Some scarring is unavoidable, since the skin around any piercing rarely heals to look exactly as it did before. The piercing itself is a scar, after all. But sometimes—depending on the location, the person, and other factors—scarring is more dramatic than others.

Hypertrophic scarring is a common risk, and keloid scars can happen to anyone, but those with darker skin pigmentation are more susceptible. Keloid scars look like overgrown red-and-purple mounds of fibrous scar tissue that feel hard and smooth to the touch and can appear at either end of the fistula. They are often itchy and can sometimes be tender and slow to heal.

Metal Reaction: What If My Body Is Allergic to the Jewelry?

Many people experience sensitivities or allergies to various metals. Of course, there is some cool, cheap, good-looking jewelry out there, but it's not worth the risk. A reaction to jewelry can be the thing that triggers an infection which, in turn, triggers rejection or migration and eventually losing the piercing. If you're just a little allergic, you might experience some itching, redness, and irritation, but a major sensitivity will lead to a painfully itchy, bright red, swollen, throbbing, pus-filled mess. Your skin may pull back from the irritation, causing the piercing hole to gape.

• titanium G23 (of any color) (the best choice!)
• niobium (pure)
• nickel-free, surgical, implant-grade stainless steel (316L or 316LVM)
• solid yellow gold of 14 karats or more (but only after the piercing has fully healed)
• platinum (but it's heavy, so may cause more tears or strain)

Problematic materials:

• nickel
• plastics (some acrylics are biocompatible BUT they can break down over time and are more likely to adhere to germs and bacteria)
• lower grades of gold; anything plated, rolled, or filled with gold
• rose gold (contains copper) or white gold (if it contains nickel)
• silver; even sterling silver (it may have copper or nickel and it will tarnish)
• poor quality stainless steel (even if it claims to be "surgical")
• anything plated in any kind of metal (the plating will flake off)
• rough or unpolished metals
• costume jewelry or any kind of unidentified metal

If you think you might be sensitive to the jewelry, immediately take it out and replace it with something more biocompatible.

Reducing the Risks

Wearing a curved barbell (instead of a ring) until you've completely healed might reduce the risks.

What Else Could Go Wrong? Tearing, Stretching, Etc.

• Excessive bleeding and nerve damage: This can be caused by an inexperienced body piercer that pierces too close to a nerve.
• Over-cleaning: It is possible to hurt the tissue with too much cleaning. Don't overdo it! Follow your piercer's instructions.
• Changing the jewelry too soon: Another common no-no. It can take eight weeks to six months before you are healed enough to fiddle with jewelry. Again, follow your piercer's instructions.
• Frictional irritation: Sometimes the friction from your clothing or waistband may irritate and delay healing.
• Tearing: Navel piercings are less likely to tear than those in other spots (like the ears), but it is possible for jewelry to get caught and tear.
• Stretching: If a piercing is too shallow or close to the edge, a stretch may enlarge it too much. Heavy jewelry, tears, rejection, and migration can alter the shape of the fistula. Some people have to have the doctor fix the hole by sewing it smaller.
• Bacterial endocarditis or infective endocarditis (IE): If you suffer from congenital heart disease and you're exposed to bacteria via piercing, you're at risk, and it could even be fatal. This is why reputable, professional piercers ask you about your heart before they do anything.

The Basics of Healing a Belly Button Piercing

There are many methods that you may hear about, and methods that work for you may not for someone else. Below is the most common method of aftercare:

• Use saline solution or non-iodized sea salt (not table salt). If you opt for sea salt, mix about 6 ounces of water with about 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
• Pour enough saline or sea salt mix into a cup (the disposable bathroom dixie cups work great).
• Gently place the cup over the navel, lay back, and let it soak for about 10–15 minutes.

You want to do this about twice a day for the first several weeks. After that, once a day until the piercing is healed. You want to avoid using strong products such as rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Also, try to avoid using any creams or ointments.

How Long Does Healing Take?

It may seem to be healed in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can take 3 to 6 months and sometimes even up to a year for a navel piercing to heal completely.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2010 Whitney

Leah on July 04, 2020:

Where can I find a pure sterling silver belly ring?

Lena on April 26, 2020:

What does it mean when my belly button piercing bleeds ive had it since march 14th 2020 what do i do what is wrong

casey on December 23, 2019:

what will happen if u r pregnant?do u take it out?or will it stretch?plsssssss answer,urgent I don't know what to do and don't want to risk anything as im going to have a baby,help me!!!!!

Manoj Thakur from Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, India on December 04, 2019:

Best

Manoj Thakur from Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, India on December 04, 2019:

Best article

Britt on November 05, 2019:

My belly ring looks healed and healthy. I don’t see the bar in the inside of my stomach but the bar on each end is a little more visible

Shalonda on November 04, 2019:

I’ve had my belly pierced for about 8 months and my ball came off, I took it out and bought a new one a week later and it bled a little as I put it in. The ball to the new one came off as well and it keeps coming out but now theres like swelling in the inside where the ball goes. But it isn’t painful nor puss. Could that be a keloid forming in the inside? Or will it go away soon ?? I’m confused

Lily on November 03, 2019:

I’ve had my belly pierced for about 7 months now. And I went to clean it in the morning and I first thought it was bleeding from the bottom ball. But it wasn’t. When I took a closer look it turned out to be some..red bloody piece of skin...I mean I don’t know what it is tell you the truth. It’s coming from the inside of my piercing. So when I would move my piercing up and down it would go back in and come out if that makes sense. It’s weird. I don’t know what it is. I haven’t had any green/yellow pus or having it be sore, being very red. It almost looks like it’s healed even. But with this thing I don’t know what to think. I hope all that made sense because I really don’t know how to explain this and I even looked up pictures and such and I couldn’t find anything on it. So for now I’m just gonna clean it like how I usually do and just leave it be and not mess with it. I don’t wanna risk anything but messing with it. So if anyone had any suggestions please tell me.

Maddi on October 25, 2019:

I’ve had my belly pierced for nearly 6 months and it was fully healed but out of nowhere it’s know extremely swollen, red and pussy. I’m not sure what to do, please help me

Stephanie Vargas on October 17, 2019:

I have dark rings around my belly piercing I got it about 2 months ago

leA on October 16, 2019:

My bellybutton piercing is dark around the area, i have no pains and no sign of an infection.... what to do

Gracie on September 24, 2019:

I’ve had my belly button pierced for about 2 and 3/4 months and I’ve worn jeans and it has become very very red and has been leaking also I’ve noticed a slight tear and my top ball of my belly bar is creating a hole/ big indent in the top of my belly I don’t know what to do plz help it’s urgent !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sydney on September 16, 2019:

Kelly, sounds like you have a keloid. Research that, and if so, use tea tree oil!

Kelly on September 05, 2019:

Please answer my comment. I’m kinda freaking out. I don’t mean to be pushy but u seem like you can help me. I really need help!

Kelly on September 05, 2019:

I have tissue on my bottom part of my belly ring it’s like around my bottom ball. It hurts really bad. It’s coming from the INSIDE of me. How do I get rid of it!! I’m freaking out and idk what to do. PLEASE help me!!!

Amber brown on April 28, 2019:

Hi guys I had my belly re done & you know we're the middle but is we're your belly bar goes it's really red & lumped can I have some advise please asap

Monika on April 16, 2019:

I had my belly piercing for a week now I woke up by tearing it a little. And cleaned it after it was painful but the pain went away. Can that still lead to infection?

Amy on April 16, 2019:

Is clear discharge and a little redness after cleaning normal or no cause i got my navel done 2 weeks ago and Im not sure if thats healthy or not

Belle on April 05, 2019:

I’ve had my piercing for about a year now and the bottoms hole right under the piercing has a red weird bump thing and a blister under it what is it? And what do I do? Please help me ASAP!

anonymous on March 20, 2019:

Is it normal for my belly piercing to be black at the top and bottom after 4 months?

Maddy on December 28, 2018:

Is it bad to keep a short bar in during a healing process? I don’t wanna change the piercing because I’m afraid I won’t be able to get it back in so is it save to just leave the short bar in? It’s not sinking in my skin to much, but I’m afraid it’s still dangerous. It doesn’t hurt at all either so maybe that’s a good sign, I don’t know what the bad signs are if the bar is really to short

Concerned on November 07, 2018:

I've had my belly button done for over 7 years now, suddenly it's very sore and red and crusty! What's happened here? Could I have snagged it on clothing, or is it being rejected? I'm totally confused

Brianna on August 30, 2018:

ive had my belly pierced for over a year and the bottom hole of the piercing looks like it has moved from where it was originally pierced

Aimee on August 26, 2018:

Ive had my belly pierced for about 6 months now and my skin around the 2 holes are purplish red color. What does that mean? It doesn't hurt but it still crusts.

Zoe on July 27, 2018:

I just got mine peirced yesterday and a small bump is forming around the top piercing that like follows down the bar is that bad or just the healing process

allison on June 24, 2018:

My piercing has a little bit of redness around the piercing and I have had it in for 7 years how would I tell if my bellybutton piercing is starting to heal properly

Yesenia on June 12, 2018:

i got my belly piercing a little under a month and its a little swollen around the piercing holes and also the barbell is a little loose. doe it mean its healing?

Monica G on June 08, 2018:

In the picture of Migration the skin where the piercing was made looks to be a darker than the areas around the belly button....is there a way of getting rid of that color?

Kayla on June 02, 2018:

I got my navel pierced two months ago and it shows no signs of rejection or infection but around the top hole is really dark what could have caused this ?

T on May 26, 2018:

I got my piercing in like March or April and I took it out for a night and it’s like a ball on the In side & the whole is not letting me get through whyyy and what do I doo ??

Nene on May 19, 2018:

I got my belly pierce 6 months ago now its sore and swollen in the middle does it means it rejecting

Ruby on May 15, 2018:

I have really sensitive skin and I really want to get my belly pierced but I'm scared that it will reject

laura on May 12, 2018:

i got my belly button pierced in november and there was some sort of scaring behind it that i never really noticed until this morning i woke up it was really sore and i looked at it. my piercing is fully healed and fine but behind it the scar tissue poped or somethng and there is a hole in it ? has anyone experiencede this?

Whitney on May 06, 2018:

I just got my belly button like 7 days ago I was wondering when can I change out my belly button ring? And when does it heal? How long do I have to clean it & what do I need to clean it with...? Please give me answers please...

jerry on April 13, 2018:

Hi i had my belly pierced around 5 months ago it still hurts and has a lump inside it is this normal its still very swollen

Lynda Garbett on April 04, 2018:

Hi all I had my belly button done a week ago and its red and still a bit sore I have been cleaning it 2/3 times a day my other half thinks my bar is to small but I don't think it is its more red at the top and in the middle a bit of puss which is clear but been told that is OK. Don't know if can put a picture up for u to see so u know what I'm going on about and see for urselfs

May2000 on March 18, 2018:

What should i do if my belly button piercing is getting too small do i get a bigger one ?

Sandra on March 12, 2018:

I just got my belly pieced almost two weeks ago and everything seems to be going fine no pain no swelling no soreness I an sleep on it comfortabley and clean it regularly but there is puss when I move it Checking it out seems to just ooze so I pinch it all out there is no pain during nor afterwards and this just started two days ago it so is this part of healing ?

Janice clark on December 08, 2017:

I had an inny-belly button... now that I’ve gotten this done....it looks like I have an outty-belly button...help!!!!!

Ruby on November 21, 2017:

I legit got mine yesterday and yesterday it was bleeding,also right now when I woke up . Is that bad or am I just overreacting?

Sophie on October 21, 2017:

Why does my belly bar sting every time i walk, i literally have to walk so slowly now, it doesn't even help that much :(

desirae on September 13, 2017:

i got mine about two weeks ago and now its red and scabbed, is that normal ??

jasmyne on August 23, 2017:

ive been sleeping on my piercing and i just got 4 days ago and my ball created a bigger whole should i be worried?

Sarah on August 17, 2017:

I have my belly button peirced for about 2 months,I have taken it out twice but put it back in straight away,It's really sore if I bend over or touch it,There's a peice of crust growing out of the peircing hanging on by a blood kind of thing,I can't get rid of the crust as it's really sore,Someone help?

Nikki on August 16, 2017:

This was very informative. I did mine and I experienced the itching (which I kw as healing once), the tiny bites of pain if pressed against it, pus....then migration and rejection. The skin got so thin I just raised up the ring, which burst out with ease like it was just resting there waiting to be picked up. So now I'm thinking about trying it out again, it came out 2015.

Kayla on August 07, 2017:

I've had my belly button pierced for about a year and a half now. I took it out a day ago because it has really been irritating me. Now I can't put it back in...help!

Chloebrown on June 30, 2017:

I've had my navel done for over a year now and it's only recently healed but it's went to thin and I'm scared I don't want it to rip! Is it rejecting it? If it's healed will it just stay like that?

Tiffanybeardsley on June 21, 2017:

I'm really scared I have a bump going over mine and it's just red plz give me answers what's wrong with it

Georgya on June 01, 2017:

I got my navel piercing about two months ago. About a week ago I was changing it for the fourth time, back to the ring I was pierced with, and I found that it was very difficult to push the ring through to the point that I thought it was closing. I haven't changed it since then but I have it in upside down because I didn't want it to close and I didn't know what to do. I don't want to change it but I do want to put it in right side up and it's still really tight and I'm still afraid it will close.

Hailey. on May 16, 2017:

I got my naval pierced (top part) and its a little red (people say that's normal), a little crusty (people also say that's normal), VERY little puss every once in a while, and I see a little yellow colored piece of crusty in the top whole next to the jewelry, and occasionally its itchy but like an inch away from the piercing (doesn't itching mean that its healing?)... is all this normal? is it rejecting? Am I allergic? is it infected? is it normal?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on May 14, 2017:

If you did them yourself with a sewing needle, you used a smaller gauge than what is typically used. That's about a 20 gauge needle. Generally, lobes are pierced at 16 gauge.

Destiny . on May 12, 2017:

I did my peircing and every time I take it off, the whole is really small whys that ? I'm only 13 my friends also have them but I don't honk there wholes small as mine

Beekaaaa on April 25, 2017:

I did my piercing myself and my skin is trying to heal on top of the, not bar or the ball on top, but the jewelry piece. Right now I'm cleaning it and caring for it with an anti bacterial soap bar of Dial and it's helped a lot, but the skin is still trying to heal on the jewelry piece. Is this bad or no?

Macy on April 21, 2017:

I had a belly button piercing before and there's a scar kinda like now, is it okay to get it re-pierced ?

Hailey on April 12, 2017:

I just got my bottom belly button done in January and it was fine until now there puss coming out of the hole and it's very sore I just took the belly buttom out last night to clean it because it was hurting so bad I have a like a big bubble at the top hole of the piercing. Does this mean it rejected the piercing or is it infected? I can't put it back in because it's hurts too much to.

Jenny on March 22, 2017:

I've had my belly button done for about a year now and it's been fine so I decided to change it. The first time I change it everything was all good until it started hurting being tender pussing so I decided to put my original jewelry back in and it felt better and it went back to being fine so I thought ohhh maybe that jewelry was fake or not good quality so I left it alone for months and I bought some other jewelry a better kind the one I thought I was pierced with so I changed it and it was fine it didn't hurt me or nothing I've had that jewelry in for about a week until now it started being tender and pussing so I changed it back to my original jewelry but I don't know what's happening can anyone help me??

Tessa on December 29, 2016:

I had my navel pierced about a month ago. It dries up at first without any infection. But now I'm staring to feel tenderness only on my right side of my belly button. And yellow puss are coming out from my navel piercing now. Besides that there is no pain or redness at the piercing side seen. Is it serious? I've been cleaning it with saline twice a day. But the puss is just getting more than before. What should I do? I need help as I'm freaking out

diane on December 28, 2016:

how can i tell if it's rejecting ? i snagged it and it kinda tore but it is only red at the top and ian very sensitive anymore ?

mattie galde on December 12, 2016:

My belly button ring is stuck on the bottom hole and will not come out please help me

pallavi on August 27, 2016:

Hey, I had my navel pierced six years ago, the piercing was rejected and I was left with a nasty scar. I love navel piercings, couldn't resist and got another one done two years after that. This time again , it began showing signs of rejecting and I had to remove it. Scarring again. its been three years now, I want to try again. Dont know if I should... really want it though. this will be my last attempt. Any tips anyone??

Jasmine on July 28, 2016:

Hi I have a question about my belly piercing, I haven't had it long and now it has I think an abscess on it, how do I get rid of of it, it has me worried

Nikkii1998 on March 12, 2016:

I saw someone stated "no table salt" Omg imma go nuts now cause that's what I've been using twice each day. Please tell me it's not going to end horribly.

And why can I feel the ring between the two ends of the piercing?

Danielle on September 09, 2015:

If i have had the top done for two years and i just got the bottom one done is it likely to reject ?

Sharon on March 26, 2015:

I have had mine done since December and it was fine at first and then I put in a new piercing in it was sore and the guy said it would go away and it was fine a couple weeks went by and I didn't watch it and a scab started to grow around the ring itself I tried cleaning it but it hurt to much and so I went to him he took the one I had out and since I'm allergic to certain medals I have a gold one now the other one left behind a small bump and he said if I clean it with antibacterial soap I have been and its been 3 days since I got it checked on and the bump has gone away but it's still sore and oozing yellow puss should I take it out or see if it will heal and is it rejecting it?

Molly on November 25, 2014:

i had my belly button pierced 2 wks ago and it got really red 2 or 3 days ago. I didn't think it looked right so I called my piercer and emailed him my pic of it and he said to get in right away. When he saw it in person he said that has to come out. Was that the right thing to do? I don't know if i was allergic to the jewelry or if he took to much skin out but he said he has never seen this before. The top of the barbell had a diamond and it was going into my skin kind of making a hole.

Ashley on October 08, 2014:

I am not sure if mine is migrating or rejection. I've had my belly pierced twice. The first time I had to take it out because it would turn completely to the side (to the left) and it was irritating my skin to the point it would bleed. I have so much scar tissue now because of that. I waited 3 years to re pierce it. There is a horizontal scar in the middle of both holes that appeared after I had a minor infection when it first was peirced. the peircing does not seem to be any closer to the surface than it was before.

I've had it for over a year with no problems but now the top hole looks like it is stretched a bit (not sure about the bottom) so its pointing to the left again and I can feel it putting pressure on my skin some times. I usually take it out for a little so the top hole goes back to normal.

Does anyone else have this problem? and is it migrating or rejecting?

susana on May 22, 2013:

hi i had my belly piercing for the first time and i notice that the piercing was hanging but i though it was ok because was my first time so about two days i had just a thin layer os skin in the middle and it came right out so i waited and went to another place ill be a month now lets see what happens ill let you posted wish me luck.

Talia on August 05, 2012:

hi, my belly ring is currently rejecting. my skin is realllllyy thin. but i want to keep it in for 2 more weeks just to go on vacation, is that bad if i do?!

Liv on March 25, 2012:

Hello =] Had my belly button pierced about 4 months ago and everything has gone really well so far =] its my seventh piercing and, lucky me, nothing has ever gotten infected, migrated or rejected. However my advice would be to do plenty of research about your intended piercing beforehand. Make sure you go to a reputable place. And stick to the aftercare routine! The advice on this page is really helpful too. I'd also suggest that the youger generation wait until you're 18+ for any piercings other than ears. I came home when I was 14 with a nose ring and my mum went spare =/ also, you're body is still changing etc and it'll save stressing out your parents =] Other than that enjoy having a piercing, look after it properly and you should have no problems.

Samantha on March 20, 2012:

Revrave if your worried about your daughter getting her belly pierced take it from a 19yr old girl who rebeled against her mothers wishes and got one. I.regret. It. I had mine pierced in nov.2011 and the piercing rejected itself in feb. I have a huge red bump of scar tissue that i may end up either getting a dermatologist to "punch out" or laser surgery. For you girls wondering about your piercing and arent sure. If its red after.. Lets say 2 weeks go get it checked. If it hurts after having it to where it hurts to move or touch it go get it checked. If the hole looks like its getting bigger and the skin is thinning its rejection. If there is puss probably rejection too. Do not think rejection wont happen because i thought that. And lo and behold it rejects itself. Not everyone is left with the same scar. Not everyone rejects a piercing. But in some way shape or form u will eventually regret getting it done and if u plan on kids the thing has to come out anyway! Just my two cents for concerned parents and teens:)

chelsea on March 18, 2012:

hi guys. so i got my belly button pierced about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it never bled until the other day after my boyfriend had rubbed my belly kind of agressively and the next morning there was some dried blood on the top ball and there was like some blood seeping out still. then it started to get red around the top ball about 2cm around it along wth yellowish green sticky fluid every now and then. I woke up this morning and the skin had enveloped the top ball. the piercer used a titanium barbell and ive been using all sorts of products on it. not sure if its irritated or infected or if its rejecting it. p.s. i went to a different piercer to ask them to look at it but they just sold me another product. help?

heather on March 04, 2012:

Feeling self destructive so I get the navel pierced. Now I have this nasty pussing hole to look at. nice. very attractive.

Melissa on February 21, 2012:

I've gotten mine pierced & its red with a little drainage. Is this normal ?? I've been doing the saline solution with sea salt 2-3 times a day I just want to make sure I'm taking care of it properly. I have a little light colored pus coming out when I'm cleaning it I would like some honest answers to help me. Thanks

Bre on January 03, 2012:

Okay so my belly button ripped a little. I don't know what to do! i really don't want it too be crooked!

care on December 03, 2011:

I had mine done by a professional, but in the end it rejected. It healed nicely over 3 months, no pain or any problems, so I thought I was healing great. But then it got slightly painful a few days out of the week, and I randomly checked it and it was only being held in by a tiny bit of skin. Luckily, I don't have a scar, just a little red bumb that is healing.. I don't think my piercing was done deep enough/long enough from the beginning.

shahinda on October 23, 2011:

FMl why didn't I read this b4 I did the belly piercing, I mean it oki its just fine no pain no redness but still wtf it could jst fire bk anytime it wants T.T ama go c a doctor

Courtney on October 17, 2011:

So. I need help. I got my belly peirced back in March of this year, and it started to scab. So I picked off the scab and now the skin in the middle of the peircing looks very smaller than it did. I don't know what to do.

KekoB on September 26, 2011:

I have had my belly button pierced twice and both times it rejected. I'm about to take it out hut I'm still kinda bummed that my body keeps rejecting my piercing... It really sucks

Leslie on September 20, 2011:

hi..im 15 is there anyway i can take my belly ring out and soak it in sea salt n put it back in after a weak but keep soaking it in sea salt??? help!

Linda on September 03, 2011:

How long should one wait before getting their belly button re-pierced? It healed well the first time, it just wasn't peirced deep enough.

Saibhe on August 04, 2011:

I got my belly button pierced yesterday and after reading this i'm slightly worried... if i clean it properly and look after it properley can this still happen ? I'm afraid it's going to migrate because i'm only 14...

tailor on June 13, 2011:

My mistake was that I didn't go to a professional.. my friend did mine. She's very very sterile and has done hundreds of others piercings. Its extremely infected tthough :( I think its rejecting. Just got it done last week. Hole on top is pusing and its almost as big as the ball. It's a ring.. I should've done a barbell that way I could move it and there wouldn't be a huge knot. Can I change the ring to a barbell?

ruth on February 13, 2011:

mY daughter had her stomach pierced and her body has just rejected it.

Personally, I think anyone who gets piercings is plain stupid. No other word for it, not to mention highly insecure and too much money to waste

tara on February 02, 2011:

Melissa i have the same problem its been pierced now for 3months and its starting to reject it again.

Jess on January 28, 2011:

Hey melissa! I had the exact same situation as u with my piercing growing out and being left wif a massive scar. I got my belly button re-pierced after it fully healed, this was 3 weeks ago. I told my pircer bout my history and she said it should b fine. She pierced it deeper than my last, under my scar tissue. So far so good, its healing fine! I'll keep u undated and let u know if it start to grow out :-D

Melissa on January 19, 2011:

I had my belly button pierced a few years ago. For two years I fought the infection and it eventually pushed itself out to the point of a thin layer of skin holding the jewelry in. I took it out and let it heal. Now I have a thick scar in place of the piercing. I want to get it pierced again and was wondering if the scar would keep the next one from pushing out, being that the skin is thicker now.

kristin on November 03, 2010:

hi i just pierced my belly button 2 days ago. ive been following the after care steps and have been washing it 2 times a day with antibacterial soap. ive also been doing the salt water step twice a day too. its very red and raw and its dark arounf the holes. there is also bruising around the holes too. i don't know wheather its an infection or its just from me playing with it too much. please help me because i don't know what to to! : (

jadelyn on October 24, 2010:

.hi,I've had my belly pierced 2 times && I'm on my third. I follow all aftercare instructions,and nomatter what I do every time without fail my body rejectes my piercing. :( I don't know what to do, if you have any ideas please let me know. Thax xx

Ashley on October 17, 2010:

A lot of times if a piercing rejects, putting a real gold barbell in it will allow it to heal. I've had a few friends who's rejected, but healed whenever they used a gold bar.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on October 13, 2010:

It's called rejection. I have one just fine. My first migrated, but the replacement has been fine. I got mine initially when I had my upper navel pierced, which is what caused the migration. I haven't had the upper one repierced, which is why I believe the lower has stayed this time. I've had mine for years.

Some people are just prone to rejection.

ellesar on October 13, 2010:

I had a lower belly piercing and it rejected - the skin just got thinner and thinner until I could see the ring and then one day just split in the bath! It didn't hurt a bit and healed just fine.

Another piercer told me that very few women can keep a lower piercing - you have to have a really tight and flat belly - I guess Gwen Stefani could do it! But us mere ordinary women cannot.

beansprout123 on September 09, 2010:

I have been tempted to have a belly button piercing but I have heard of some problems that put me off. Maybe one day I will do it. Nice hub.

lady bug on September 09, 2010:

hi whitney ive had my belly button pierced for almost 8 months now, but its starting to hurt and its sore in the middle of it, is it infected or is it rejecting the piercing please help?

omcj1234 on September 03, 2010:

Tongue -- the only way to go.

la2010 from Alaska on August 31, 2010:

Wonderful work! I used to have a navel piercing years ago but my body rejected it in a month.then i had it re-pierced after it healed all the way,i had the same problem again. i guess im one of those people who are not meant to have a navel piercing.

NICOLE on August 26, 2010:

Yeah I wish the piercer would have alerted me the signs of rejection. Mine rejected two months ago it healed okay for something forcing its self out. I got it re-pierced by a better place and they made the piercing much deeper. I don't experience any issues as I used to with the last piercing =]

revrave on August 23, 2010:

Hi Whitney05 i popped onto your hub and i am going to send it my daughter. Why? because i get to let her see the cons of all this belly button piercing stuff. Great hub and nice profile pic "pitbull" from new hubber revrave

Granny's House from Older and Hopefully Wiser Time on August 04, 2010:

I know this will be useful. Maybe people should read this before they get it a peircing. Great hub