I am just wondering for how long this stuff comes out? My navel piercing looks super good, however there is still some lymph coming out...is this normal and how long should I expect it to continue? I have had it pierced for 3 weeks. Thanks!
Its a result of the type of products you are using on your piercing. If you have this whitish lymph coming out from your piercing so early, we will have to assume that you are using harsh products to clean.
Please let us know what you are currently doing and what you are using and how often.
As well, you are overcleaning it. You will have more problems very shortly. Please STOP cleaning, including in the shower.
I occasionally use the Softsoap Antibacterial soap and warm salt water soak followed by warm water rinse.
Well, since your piercing is over 2 weeks old, you are officially OVERCLEANING your piercing. You are also using a harsh product, salt water, and soaking the navel in this fluid and drying it out.
As long as you do the salt water soaking, you will continue to have lymph flowing. You are irritating your piercing and this is the body's response.
At this point, you should not even clean or move the jewellery, not even in the shower. Soap around the piercing and let the warm water run over it. If your piercing looks dry or chapped, then remove the softened crusties. Use a Q-tip and after your shower try not moving the ring as well. Then take another Q-tip and apply a moisturizer (we use St Ives) and rub in until absorbed.
Other than this, do NOTHING from now on. Just regular hygiene!
Thank you very much for your reply - that information helps a ton!
There are crusties and I am now glad to know how to get rid of them...if I follow your steps, how long (give or take) should I see results?
Thanks again!
Amanda
If you follow our steps, you should see a noticable difference in about 5-7 days.
Please be sure not to overdue the moisturizer as well. Use only if the tissues look dry or chapped.
I have just noticed today that there is a red bump on the underside of the piercing (in my belly button) What does this mean and what do I do to get rid of it? Why is it there? I am not sure how long it has been there for.
I have been cleaning my stomach with the softsoap antibacterial and just letting the water wash over it - definitely not turning the ring. As well I moisturize only when it looks dry and use a q-tip, other than that I avoid touching it.
Would I be able to get a barbell put in if the bump is still there? I am coming up on my 6th week.
Well, you have done enough damage in the last 4-5 weeks that the bump has formed.
This bump forms because when you irritate the tissues long enough, the body tries to deal with the irritation and then to the healing. This results in the defense system sending out the white blood cells (lymph) to the area. But because there is a ring in the area it cannot get rid of it no matter what, this lymph is kept in the area in preparation of fixing the problem.
The body will eventually get the message that the ring is there to stay and the lymph will be reabsorbed into the body. That being said, sometimes, it does not and can become a keloid but this process takes several months. Right now, it still have fluid and we can assist in 'drying' out the fluid whereby the bump starts to shrink and will eventually be gone.
Do not start to clean it again, this will only aggrevate the situation. Just leave it alone, and wash around the piercing as you have been doing. We will send you a private message shortly.
