With every passing year body piercings are becoming more popular. For some it is a fashion statement to others it is a way to for an adornment. And then it is also a part of some cultures across the world.

Whatever you reason is to get a piercing done, you can always go for a belly button. Done in the top half of the navel, it is usually said to create a star or square shape. It depends on your choice whether you want to get it done on the upper or lower lips of the navel.

Is belly-button piercing for everyone?

If experts are to be believed, to get it done you need to have a proper navel anatomy. Simply putting, the top flap of the navel must have enough room for the piercing. So this will let it hang inside the navel without pressure. In case, you don’t have room on the top flap, piercing the bottom flap can be an option. But for this you will need a highly professional piercer.

What if you have a belly button which closes? Honestly, if you belly ‘winks’ when you sit down, navel piercing is not a good option. Reason being, the pressure caused by the top and bottom will cause irritation to the piercing when you sit. In worst case it might force the jewelry to migrate. Moreover, you will be pro ne to infection severely which occurs during the healing process. And this might travel to the intestines or other organs too.

What are the health risks of belly-button piercings?

When it comes to the risks of a belly button, a bacterial infection at the piercing site is the major risk. As per the Northwestern Medicine paper, about  20 percent of body piercings become infected. But that’s not all. There can be several other allergic skin reactions which can occur either due to the jewelry used in the piercing or some other reasons. From scarring, loss of blood, tearing, to jewelry rejection, there can be many sufferings.

Here it is worth noticing that the risk of a bacterial infection gets even higher if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions. This means is you are dealing with conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system, the problem tends to increase.

Secondly, you need to admit the fact that it is going to be painful. Yes, it hurts, however, it differs from person to person how much suffering it cause. The good thing is that you can now have a painless piercing done. Yes, with the help of a  topical anesthetic cream like Numb Skin. It comes with 5% lidocaine which is a numbing agent. Application of this cream will make your skin numb for three to four hours. Thus, you won’t feel any pain. Just apply it 45 minutes before you step out for the piercing parlor. This cream can be bought online without any doctor’s prescription.

How to care for a belly button piercing?

The first and foremost thing you need to do is check your new piercing for any signs of swelling, irritation, swelling, or redness. In the initial days of healing process, it is quite normal for the pierced area to ooze some discharge. However, if this continues for more than a week, you must consult your a doctor as soon as possible. Besides, here are some extra tips to care for your skin: